Mosquito Protection

You can treat the clothing with that stuff called Permethrin.

http://www.sawyerproducts.com/faqpermethrin.htm
http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/First_Aid/Insect_Repellant/36704/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permethrin

also something to look at is the compac bug jacket which they use in canada's interior where there are a ton of bugs

COMPAC BUG JACKET
http://www.fishingcanada.ws/store/shop/item.asp?itemid=1468

I have played a lot with Permethrin. I have used the store bought stuff and the commercial strength stuff. For legal issues it may not be wanted posted so email me and I will send some info to any that want it. (rayestrellaAThotmailDOTcom)

I use Deet a lot as it works. But that said I hate it. I can’t stand the smell or the feel of it. And it has wrecked my gear at times.

Cutter Advanced works just as well as Deet without the smell or the oily feel. But it needs to be reapplied more often. It is safe for kids too.

I have a head net, it bothers me almost as much as the skeeters…

I quit using DEET after the 100% stuff melted the handles on my trekking poles.

The Cutter Advanced needs to be reapplied very often because it is only 7% picaridin (the Advanced Sport is 15%). Both Sawyer and Natrapel now sell a 20% picaridin repellant that lasts a lot longer.

Picaridin has been tested to be just as effective as DEET _at the same concentration_. Its gotten a bit of a bad reputation in the US because it was initially available only in very low concentrations. 7% DEET isn't that effective either!

I use only the 20% picaridin formulations now and it works well without the side effects of DEET. Permethrin on the outer clothing layer helps greatly as well.

I think I'll give the permithrin a try since it seems an economical solution (REI $11 for 12oz = 2 complete outfits, lasts 6 washes) combined with a headnet. If that isn't adequate, I'll try the Sawyer Advanced.

I didn't have a lot of mosquito issues in the Sierra last year, but that may have been due to our drought eliminated breeding grounds.

Jim

In addition to a headnet and chemicals, you might want to avoid dark-coloured clothing if you can. Navy blue seems to be particularly bad, the bugs just love it (based on personal experience as well as accepted wisdom).

First hand experience with military grade Permethrin (about 50x more concentration than the stuff REI or Campmor sell) from last summer in the High Sierra: it made absolutely no difference. The first bug I saw landed on my Permethrin-treated hat and was quite happy to stay there.

Unless the chemicals I used (this was no spray, but a kit that is designed to "marinade" your clothes in a zip lock for a few days) were somehow past expiration date, which given the nasty smell of it all doesn't sound right, I will stick to Deet when needed. This stuff is wicked – when the military puts warning labels and disposable safety gloves into a kit, it's bad.

One of my friends who spends a lot of time in northern Canada swears by this stuff – claims that when he enters a tent with permethrin treated clothes, the bugs leave. I have not seen anything like this. I'd give a spray can a try, but I would not expect wonders.

DEET on me and Permethrin on my clothing/shoes have worked very well for me. Depending on mosquito concentration, sometimes, they can still be a bit annoying — but tolerable — and much better with DEET than without! As for Permethrin, I haven't had problems with bugs biting through my clothing or crawling onto me. When at camp, skeeters and bugs hover just outside my untreated mesh tent — but they stay away from my treated boots and socks.

Contrary to popular warnings — I actually mix together REI sunblock and 3M Ultrathon DEET. I find the combo easier and quicker to apply — and casting theory aside — they actually work together very well in practice! My Permethrin is Repel brand Permanone — a spray available at Wally World, etc.

I treated clothes with Sawyer permethrin before a trip last June. This was a supplex-ish shirt and pants- which are somewhat mosquito resistant. We got eaten alive in general but I didn't get any bites through those clothes.

Then in August I treated my knit Icebreaker 190 weight polo shirt before another trip. Very few mosquitos in general but I did pass through a few pockets (Rush Creek at dusk) and had no bites through the shirt.

I'm going to use permethrin again for a 2 week trip in July.

I use a wind shirt/wind pant or rain shirt/rain pant along with the backpacking light headnet (http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/ultralight_headnet.html). The weight savings for the headnet is minimal (over a standard headnet) but the visibility difference is huge. It is much more pleasant wearing that net, then a regular headnet. The best bug suit is the original bugshirt (http://www.bugshirt.com/). However, the shirt (and especially the pants) are heavy (they breathe really well, though). Wind shirts and pants work fine for protection against mosquitoes. I prefer a windshirt with a hood, as that makes it easier to protect the back of the neck (less fussing with the headnet). A propore rain suit works as well.

I don't like the chemical deterrents. They have tested the heck out of DEET and never found very little wrong with it. I still don't like it, though (although, if I had to pick a chemical, that is the one I would use). Permethrin is a different matter. I won't get into the details (this type of thing usually sparks a debate) but I don't like using neurotoxins (Google "Permethrin" and you'll find some interesting things). To each their own, but I find clothing works really well.

Oh yeah, one more thing: I use MLD mitts to protect my hands and short nylon gaiters for my ankles.

“My Permethrin is Repel brand Permanone — a spray available at Wally World, etc.”

That stuff works good. It kills ticks as they crawl on my socks. With it on the hat, the mosquitoes usually stay away from my face. They have never bitten through my light nylon pants. It is expensive. I tried buying 20% permethrin at a pet shop since that is way cheaper. I then diluted it to 0.5% like Permanone. I sprayed on my clothes. It did not kill the critters as well on my backpacking trips. Bummer. Maybe I have to try a stronger mix.

-Barry

This season I bought the bpl mosquito head net since I was tired of hiding in my rain gear and pulling the hood to a small hole. Granted my rain jacket is gray and blue… my question is what kind of fabric would be best for making some skeeter proof gloves to keep the skeeters at bay? 1.1oz untreated nylon work? I plan on using the head net in conjunction with a wind shirt and I'll do something about the ankles. I just never had a lot of luck with deet while standing still, somedays it works and others it doesn't seem to matter if it's on…

The combination of Permethrin and DEET seems to be problematic. I would suggest caution if using both at the same time. Sticking to one or the other may be prudent.

I have found that I can minimize exposure to repellants by wearing a long-sleeved shirt and pants made of synthetic material – the ones sold by BPL are 100% nylon and another shirt made by Outside Edge is 100% Supplex, which is a type of nylon, I guess. The amazing thing is that the weave of the fabric is tight enough to prevent those frisky 'skeeters from penetrating, unlike cotton. I've watched them parade around on my sleeve making a dozen or so attempts to bore through before they give up and fly away. The downside is that synthetics like these don't breath well and so are warm; however, the Outside Edge shirt does have back vents and consequently more comfortable. If I'm also wearing a headnet then the only area requiring DEET is the wrists and the back of the hands.

Barry:

Permethrin is permethrin. However, products designed for gear vs. pets vs. plants all have different bonding agents — for fabric, skin/hair, plant matter, etc.

Products for plants / pets are cheaper — but they're no good for bonding on clothing or gear.

Both Sawyer and Natrapel now sell a 20% picaridin repellant that lasts a lot longer.

Picaridin has been tested to be just as effective as DEET _at the same concentration_. Its gotten a bit of a bad reputation in the US because it was initially available only in very low concentrations. 7% DEET isn't that effective either!

That's great to know, Timothy. I foolishly tried to substitute the early 7% Picaridin for DEET on a very buggy trip in the Medicine Bow Range a few years back. I ran out of Picaridin during the trip and had to spend the last evening cowering inside my tarptent.

But I'm ready to try the 20% version. This time, though, I think I'll back it up with a little DEET.

The combination of Permethrin and DEET seems to be problematic.

I didn't know about that Chris. Could you add some detail? Thanks.

Permethrin – JOURNAL OF PESTICIDE REFORM/ SUMMER 1998 – VOL.18, NO. 214l

About a third of the way down under SYNERGY.

They list their source as:
Abou-Donia, M.B. et al. 1996. Neurotoxicity resulting from coexposure to pyridostigmine bromide, DEET, and permethrin: Implications of Gulf War chemical exposures. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health 48:35-56.

Freaky, huh?

Thanks for the link, Chris.

To me, the critical issues are concentration, duration and frequency of use. Pretty much anything — even drinking water — can be lethal if we use or consume too much.

However helpful these chemicals are against pesky insects, we all need to remind ourselves that the chemicals are toxic (which is why they are effective) — that "more is not always better" — and we should follow manufacturer directions.

With the above in mind and given DEET/Permethrin's long years of usage history, I would continue to use them with confidence.

This thread is very interesting and informative. What do you think would happen if I treated my hammock with Permethrin? I know ENO hammocks now offer a hammock treated with Insect Shield Repellent, so this is probably the same thing.

I'm wondering if I treat the hammock and it works well enough could I leave the bug netting at home and shave some weight? Has anyone done this?

Michael:

Permethrin kills insects on momentary contact (most are smart enough to fly or crawl away before they actually die) but it does nothing to keep bugs away for any distance. So, if mosquitoes are a problem and you are exhaling warm, moist CO2 all night — bugs can still swarm all over you even while they avoid lingering on the hammock itself.

It's why many of us use DEET on our skin and Permethrin on our clothing. A suitable bug net can be used to protect exposed skin in lieu of DEET — but Permethrin by itself is incomplete protection.

Bummer – I was hoping to leave the net. I wonder what ENO treats their hammocks with if it is a repellent?

Michael:

The ingredient is Permethrin — with a longer-lasting bonding agent that’s supposedly good for 6 months (as compared to 6 weeks for after-market spray on’s).

Apparently, this is the same stuff/technology used in “Buzz Off” clothing (e.g. Ex Officio, etc.). Click here for more info.

Be it hammock or shirt — the treatment discourages insects from lingering on the fabric itself — but that’s it. It does not protect against exposed skin. And unless your hammock is closed up with mesh or fabric — it’s as good as exposed..

> Products for plants / pets are cheaper — but they're no good for bonding on clothing or gear.

Is there anyone other than Sawyer for permethrin made for clothing?