1-800-998-9096
mail@bugshirt.com

Frequently asked questions, and more importantly, ANSWERS!

You offer different colours.  Is one better than the other?

We offer all our products except the mesh hood in three colours: Natural (off white), Sandstone (a pale coffee) and Ivy Green.   The scientists who study  biting insects tell us that light colours are less attractive to them and that greens, blues, and other bright colours are most attractive.

So, why do you even offer the Green if it's going to attract the little bloodsuckers?

We started getting a lot of requests, mainly from nature photographers, bird watchers, fishers and hunters,  for a colour that wasn't quite so visible in the green of  Spring and Summer.  The Ivy Green gives those people a little camouflage.  The Sandstone is also more muted than the Natural colour, and blends better into the background, but can still definitely be classified as a "light" colour.

Why not just make the Shirts in camouflage?

Good question.  In fact, so many of you asked us that over the years, that we have now introduced the "Elite Edition" Bug Shirt in Natural Gear® "Natural" camouflage. For more details of the advantages of Natural Gear® camouflage click here to go to their web site.

I've seen other protective clothing made out of all mesh.  Why do you use mostly fabric?

Mesh is mostly holes between the woven fibers.  Consequently anywhere the mesh is in contact with your skin,  mosquitoes in particular have easy access to your blood supply.  We use a specially constructed high density protective fabric (either cotton or microfibre) which mosquitoes are not able to penetrate, because it eliminates the need to wear extra clothing underneath in order to be protected.  It is also more comfortable since mesh can be quite abrasive against bare skin.  It is usually warm when biting insects are active so we felt using the mesh just for ventilation  gave better overall protection.

Is there a difference in the effectiveness of the different protective fabrics you use?

Marginally, yes.  Before using any new fabric we not only test it ourselves amongst the biting hoards, but we also have it tested in a laboratory environment to determine the degree to which it can be penetrated by mosquitoes.

In tests, the microfibre was not penetrated at all by mosquitoes.  With the 100% cotton, two mosquitoes were observed to penetrate the material in a ten minute period, as compared to the tester receiving 101 bites in 5 minutes on unprotected skin.  That equates to approximately 99% effectiveness.  At one point we also tested a nylon fabric commonly used in active wear, and it was only 80% effective.  Consequently we do NOT use that fabric for our clothing!

Will your clothing stand up to hard use, like an extended  wilderness trip?

Yes!!!  We are outdoor oriented people ourselves and really need durable outdoor clothing that is both functional and long lasting.  This is another reason we use the high density protective fabric in most areas of the Shirt...mesh is more vulnerable to snagging, tearing, and other damage.

Mesh clothing is usually cheaper ...are there any "downsides" to mesh?

We've talked to folks who have found mesh to be uncomfortably abrasive under backpack straps.  Also because mesh is either 100% polyester or 100% nylon it tends to build up static electricity, consequently it can be clingy, giving the mosquitoes the chance to get at your skin.  And as mentioned before, mesh is far less durable than a solid woven fabric, especially a high density protective fabric such as we use, as well as being less effective against mosquitoes.

You have an adjustable elastic at the wrist.  Why not simply use velcro?

We tried velcro on our very first prototype.  We were just planting our garden and were really giving the prototype a work out and getting it really dirty.  We found that once the velcro got dirty it didn't stick very well.  And also the loop side loses its loopiness over time! We need to keep blackflies and ticks from crawling up the sleeves and the adjustable elastic does the trick.

Why don't you use elastic in the waist then?

When you bend a lot, maybe while planting or around a campfire, elastic expands each time you squat or bend and eventually rides up to expose your waistline.  We use a non-stretching cord so that once you've tightened it, it will stay tight and not ride up. We also cut our Shirts long enough to tuck into your pants. 

How well can you see through the face mesh?

Most people have no difficulty adjusting to looking through the mesh.  Keep in mind that everyone will react differently to a meshed in hood.  A small number of folks just can't tolerate having their face enclosed.

Our feeling is that if the bugs are bad wherever you are (or where you are heading) then THE ORIGINAL BUG SHIRT will make your time a whole lot more enjoyable.

Do you always have to have the hood up and zipped shut?

If the bugs aren't bad or if you're frequently going from inside to outside it is really not necessary to be zipped in all the time.  When they do get bad the hood is very quickly and easily pulled into place and zipped closed.  

With the introduction of the "Elite Edition" it is now possible to open the zipper just a small amount without exposing your neck area.  Then you can look freely through binoculars or cameras, see clearly to tie flies, eat, drink or anything else that you might want to expose your face for. 

What do most people use this type of clothing for?

Just about anything done outdoors where biting insects are a problem.  The most obvious uses are things like camping, hiking, canoeing, fishing, gardening etc. but we have many customers who carry our clothes when they travel abroad; field scientists, bird watchers, nature photographers, astronomers, as well as people who have reactions to bug bites and/or chemical repellents.

Also our protective clothing can help reduce the risk of contracting insect borne diseases, like encephalitis, lyme disease, West Nile virus, dengue fever, malaria etc.

If I'm going to a country where insect born diseases are prevalent, and I'm taking my Original Bug Shirt, do I still have to get the shots and take the pills?

Yes!  Although we do an excellent job of protecting you there is always the possibility of getting bitten.  Get the shots, take the pills, and be sure!  Note:  When travelling to any country outside of the US and Canada it is best to consult your doctor for the necessary innoculations and preventative measures.  Your travel agent may also have information specific to your country of destination.

How do you know these things will work in some exotic location?

We would love to say we've been around the world testing but the sad fact is we have not.  Our customers however HAVE taken and used our products from the Arctic to the Amazon and from Africa to Australia.  The letters and reviews have been excellent.  See the PHOTOS and STORIES sections of this website.

Does your clothing protect against the sun?

The Shirts and Pants are both examples of uv protection clothing, protecting against both UV-A and UV-B.  The  solid fabrics actually block 98.9% of UV-A and B.  That equates to an SPF factor of 90.1 (did you ever see that on your sun screen bottle?). The side mesh blocks 46.1% of UV-A and B which is equivalent to an SPF of 1.8.

Is the clothing light and easy to pack?

Yes.  Our fabrics are very dense but very light weight.  An example is that an Adult large sized Shirt or Pants weighs about 300 grams or 10.5 oz. (A pair of denim jeans would weigh around 550 grams or 19.3 oz.). Once you are in an area with biting insects we recommend you wear our clothes as much as possible.  We have designed all our clothing to be as comfortable as regular clothing so you can wear it all the time...even if the bugs aren't out!   

Is the clothing waterproof?

Waterproof...no, Bugproof...yes!

How long have you been in the blood protection business?

We made the first prototypes and started testing in 1989.

What if something happens to my Shirt (Pants, etc)? Do you repair them?

If there is a defect in any of our products we will replace it or refund the purchase price (excluding shipping).  Should you need fabric, cords, etc for repair we will be happy to supply them.  We do not do repairs ourselves as the time and cost involved in shipping them back and forth between us seems excessive, especially when most communities have someone with the skills necessary to do the job.

If I'm away from home (and my brochure and/or computer) is there any way to get in touch with you?

Our address and 800# are on our label which is sewn into the side seam of our Shirts and in the centre back seam of the Pants. 

Does your clothing work against bees, wasps, and hornets?

We did not design the Shirts or Pants for use in defense against bees, wasps, etc. and so we have not conducted tests ourselves with the "stinging" insects.  However, we do supply bee keepers, and have several stories of the effectiveness of the shirts against the stinging beasties.

Which fabric is more durable?

Because both the 100% cotton and the breathable Microfibre are so densely woven, they are both very durable fabrics.  If you really want to get nit picky though, the Microfibre is probably ever so slightly more durable

Which fabric is cooler?

Because both the 100% cotton and the Microfibre are breathable, and because the shirts are ventilated with mesh panels in the sides, there is very little to choose between them.  The cotton is possibly marginally cooler, but the microfibre is significantly quicker drying.  So like everything else in life you have to weigh up the pros and cons, and decide which is most important to you.

You call your product a "bug shirt" but the term "bug jacket" is also out there.  Why be different?

When we started there were no "bug shirts" or "bug jackets".  We called ours a shirt because we wanted to make sure people understood that it was designed to protect you and also "keep you cool" not warm as a jacket would.  For some reason the term "bug jacket" became more popular, so we actually set up a web site called "www.bugjacket.com" to direct people to us rather than to other stuff that would give inferior protection.

Are there any special instructions for washing your bug shirts and pants? Are they machine washable?

Yes, they are machine washable.  Just make sure the zippers are all closed (like you would washing anything with a zipper, so the teeth don't get caught in the mesh) and wash in your regular cycle.

We DO recommend HANGING TO DRY rather than drying in a dryer. They are quick drying anyway, and unless you know your dryer and can set it on a medium heat setting, you don't want to run the risk of it getting too hot, or it will tend to make the mesh brittle over time.

That's all there is to it!