Do I need to worry about insects?

[BossBuck]

We will be in East Cape the week of 8/10. It's the winter season I'm told. Do I need to wash my cloths with some of the products I've seen recommended? Thanks in advance. Anything you would recommend that I may have forgot?
Backpack with bino's camera and 1 set of hunting cloths. I have all thing charger cords and converter for the Africa power supply.
Renting rifle and ammo from PH. Everything else is in place as far as travel, and hotel. working on getting in better fitness, practicing shooting from sticks.
I have a small first aid kit for backpack. What I'm I missing?

 

[JimP]

I'm not sure if the no see ums will be out but it is small cost to spray a couple of coats of Permithin onto your clothes and go. I'd also take a can of bug spray that has a high concentration of DEET.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Ticks can be active, especially on the wetter ocean side of the mountains. Three years ago I was so sick I almost didn't walk my daughter down the aisle for her wedding. Discovered almost by accident that an East Cape tick had bit me on the back of the calf. Proper antibiotic fixed me up in time.

See if you can find a doctor who will give you a prescription for doxycycline as a prophylactic for "African tick bite fever." Or do the permithin treatment for your pants and socks. Hunting the drier side of the mountains you'll have less likelihood of picking one up. I've been four times at the end of August and only one tick bite encounter and only saw one mosquito ... dead in the sink. No midges. If out hiking you will likely encounter beehives in the trees. Take an antihistamine pen if you have allergies.

You are set for gear. Have a great time.

 

[PARA45]

I hunted the Eastern Cape in May-Jun 2022, and there were ticks in the field. The PH had a tick spray, and we sprayed our pants and boots before going out. Did not have any issues with them.

 

[Fatback]

I always give my hunting clothes a good soak and air dry in a pererthemine/permone mixture before hunting anywhere ticks might be an issue. Also spray down Bino harness, boots, etc….

Cheap insurance against potential issues.

 

[Bandera]

We went in June and I treated everything with Permethrin. The ticks where active, the Buffalo one the guys shot was covered in ticks. No other problems with insects.

 

[skydiver386]

Give e'm the DOOM! Works great for keeping those flying critters off your trophies in the back of the Bakkie.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I would second @Ontario Hunter's advice, but what I would change is the OR part. I would find that doxycycline prescription AND I would give your clothing a good soak in Permethrin. The latter will prevent the ticks from getting on you, the former is just in case one of the effers makes it through the gauntlet.

I had a tick make it into the nether regions so many hunts ago. Discovered it while in the shower. Did the stupid panic mode and ripped it out in two separate moves. The first was only one part of the tick, the second got the rest of it. A part of me went with it too. To say my vocalization in this event was less than manly is a bit of an understatement.

Mosquitoes are probably not an issue, still a bit cold for them. And I'm fairly certain the EC is a malaria free area.

 

[spike.t]

I had a tick make it into the nether regions so many hunts ago. Discovered it while in the shower. Did the stupid panic mode and ripped it out in two separate moves. The first was only one part of the tick, the second got the rest of it. A part of me went with it too. To say my vocalization in this event was less than manly is a bit of an understatement.

Jeez Phil am pissing myself after reading that....

 

[Rare Breed]

We will be in East Cape the week of 8/10. It's the winter season I'm told. Do I need to wash my cloths with some of the products I've seen recommended? Thanks in advance. Anything you would recommend that I may have forgot?
Backpack with bino's camera and 1 set of hunting cloths. I have all thing charger cords and converter for the Africa power supply.
Renting rifle and ammo from PH. Everything else is in place as far as travel, and hotel. working on getting in better fitness, practicing shooting from sticks.
I have a small first aid kit for backpack. What I'm I missing?

Mopani Bees are the only things that can bother you...they are identical to knats...they do not bite but get into your eyes, ears, nose, mouth. I always take a simple $5 head net and when they are bad just put it on and works great. Easy to take off to make a shot.

 

[Malambo]

I would second @Ontario Hunter's advice, but what I would change is the OR part. I would find that doxycycline prescription AND I would give your clothing a good soak in Permethrin. The latter will prevent the ticks from getting on you, the former is just in case one of the effers makes it through the gauntlet.

I had a tick make it into the nether regions so many hunts ago. Discovered it while in the shower. Did the stupid panic mode and ripped it out in two separate moves. The first was only one part of the tick, the second got the rest of it. A part of me went with it too. To say my vocalization in this event was less than manly is a bit of an understatement.

Mosquitoes are probably not an issue, still a bit cold for them. And I'm fairly certain the EC is a malaria free area.

female i presume

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Mopani Bees are the only things that can bother you...they are identical to knats...they do not bite but get into your eyes, ears, nose, mouth. I always take a simple $5 head net and when they are bad just put it on and works great. Easy to take off to make a shot.

I had heard of these gnats but never saw any in August. Too cold I think. Last time I was at Eastern Cape late enough for spring wildflower bloom and still no gnats. OP will also be there in August. Possible it could be unseasonably warm so I guess he should be prepared. Rarely I have seen black flies here in April. But no chance this year! Another snow storm two days ago.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

OP should definitely take some layers for cool weather in August. Forget the safari shorts! Should have a warm jacket and maybe a fleece vest. I always take two pairs of boots in case one gets wet. It will be early spring there and some days can be rainy. Heavy dew in the mornings is almost a given. Wear one pair of boots on the plane and stow the other in checked bag. One set of hunting clothes in carryon and one in checked bag. I just wear a ball cap when hunting. Maybe take sun screen but that time of year unlikely you'll need it. Chapstick or lip balm if you're prone to cracked lips. I'm not. Don't forget antacids. Sunglasses if you don't wear prescription lenses. Acacia thorns are a real threat for eyes! PH will have bottled water so no need for purification stuff. Hunting knife is not needed. Most PHs don't want you doing any gutting or skinning. My phone takes very good photos so I don't bring a camera anymore.

 

[BeeMaa]

Permethrin your clothes before you go and that will really help with the ticks. Adding some DEET bug spray is a big plus for the flying ones.

 

[Tom Leoni]

I think the simplest solution is to inquire with your PH. I remember before my first safari, I asked everyone and their dog about SA weather, bugs, clothes-washing, camp conditions, etc., etc. By the time I thought I needed a FOURTH suitcase, I decided to contact my PH.

Turns out, the area and time of year where I would be hunting would be malaria-free, bug-free, tick-free, etc. I made do with the reasonably-minimum necessary and I never saw an insect for the duration of my safari.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I never go without treating clothes and taking spray. I had tick fever in 2019 and don’t want it again! Get script of Doxy for just in case you find one buried on you.

 

[Andrew62]

When I hunted the Eastern Cape the only thing I did was wear some type of tick lotion. Mopani flies were not an issue where I was. I also made a good effort to see if there ticks on my body.

 

[375Fox]

I’d definitely spray your clothes with permethrin. Colder areas that freeze hard likely won’t have ticks but coastal areas will. Spraying clothes with permethrin has become normal procedure for me in Pennsylvania anyway. I’ve never soaked clothes. I just spray outside and let dry every few washings. You’ll find dead ticks when you rewear them. Soaking will probably last a lot longer but I haven’t seen it be necessary.

Permethrin Fabric Treatment | Sawyer Products

Odorless after drying, Sawyer Permethrin Fabric Treatment can be used to treat a variety of fabrics like clothing, gear, and tents. A successful application of this insect repellent treatment is effective against mosquitoes and ticks for 6 weeks or 6 washes.

www.sawyer.com

 

[Trogon]

I didn't do permethrin treatment of my hunting clothes for early or late July trips to the Eastern Cape, but would on future trips for tick bites. Enough experience shown on this forum is a great precaution of what could happen.