There's nothing worse when you are outside — whether gardening or golfing — than being assaulted by the sun and the bugs.

Forget the messy bug spreads; instead try on some fashionable accessories. Sloggers Garden Outfitters has teamed up with Buzz Off Insect Shield to develop a collection of insect repellent items. An added plus, the products also provide UPF 50-plus ultraviolet protection, meaning they block more than 98 percent of the sun's harmful rays.

Insect Shield's process binds insect repellent to fabric in order to fend off mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and midges. Buzz Off was granted Environmental Protection Agency registration of its apparel in 2003 — the first-ever, EPA-registered insect-repelling clothing.

The active ingredient is permethrin, a man-made version of a natural insect repellent found in certain chrysanthemum plants. It is safe enough to be worn by infants, children and women who are pregnant or nursing. Plus, it's odorless.

The pieces are designed to last through 70 launderings, the average lifetime of a garment. They also offer protection through six months of constant exposure to outdoor weather.

"We are thrilled to be working with Sloggers to bring insect repellency to the gardening industry," said Jason Griffin, executive vice president of Buzz Off Insect Shield.

"Sloggers Insect Shield products offer the ideal fusion of function and style. Now gardeners will be able to look great and stay protected from bugs and the sun, while enjoying their time in the outdoors."

These pieces not only help in the garden; use them while golfing, hunting, fishing, riding horses, camping, sitting on the patio or beach ... you can even wrap a bandana around your pet's neck to keep them safe and comfortable as well.

For more information, visit www.sloggers.com (877-750-4437) or www.insectshield.com (866-712-7110).

TIME TO CLEAN THE GUTTERS

It's not a pleasant task, but a necessary one as the leaves drop and clog your gutters — the snow will fall and ice them in there until spring.

So it's time to get up there and take care of it. Helping with the task is GutterStuff.

The product fits inside any 5-inch, K-style gutter (the most common type and size) and come in 4-foot sections. However, other styles and sizes are available.

The polyether lightweight foam won't crumble, dent, bend or cave in. It is designed to seal out leaves and other debris while allowing large volumes of water to flow through quickly.

It also prevents mosquitoes from breeding in the gutter with its germicide, which includes a UV stabilizer with a five-year performance warranty.

While tidying your gutters is a bit painstaking, installing GutterStuff is a cinch. But first, you must thoroughly clean your gutters of all leaves, debris and roof grit. Wash out the gutters and clear all downspouts of any obstructions, especially where there are elbows.

Make sure all gutters are properly sloped toward the downspouts. Check that all spikes and hangers are tight, and add more where needed.

Now comes the easy part. Simply insert GutterStuff into the gutter so its narrowest point faces toward the gutter's front lip. Slide the product under each spike or hanger, and then tuck it under the front lip. It should run to the back of the gutter completely filling the space across the top as well as turn at a 90-degree angle to fit snuggly on the bottom.

Make sure there are no gaps between sections. Don't stretch the material to make it fit as it will shrink back to its original size and leave you with gaps. A knife or some scissors may be used to cut the material, if needed.

For more information, call 866-766-3442 or visit www.gutterstuff.com.

Maggie Reed may be reached at trocar2000@hotmail.com. To find out more about Maggie Reed, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.

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