mosquito protection

Bob, I've had good luck with Picaridin-based bug sprays. Its not supposed to harm plastics, rubber, or fabrics. However, it is not as potent, so you'll possibly end up using more.

Bob:

I used to use 100% DEET and it has never done any damage to my synthetic/plastic clothing or gear. However, I've read enough of other people's experience to know that it can happen. I've since switched to using 3M Ultrathon — a 30% DEET lotion which I mix with REI's sunblock lotion. One application of both simultaneously, half the quantity, and same effectiveness as separate applications!

But I've also heard good things about Picaridin. It's been used in Europe for years to good effect — and are now becoming more widespread here in the US. You will need to apply more frequently, however, as the Picaridin active ingredient percent is low — 15% (although even that is an improvement over the measly 7% just 2-3 years ago).

Oh, over the decades I have ruined quite a few plastic finishes with DEET, and I don't want to do that with expensive equipment.

I won't be needing sunblock.

I have some Picaridin, but I have never tested it.

So far, I haven't heard any recent opinions about Permethrin.

–B.G.–

No direct experience, Picaridin too has been time tested. If you've got it already, you may as well give it a try. It does everything that DEET can do — but won't ruin your plastic. You should read the label and see if it's the older 7% concentration or the newer 14-15%.

As for Permethrin — that's for spraying/soaking your clothing, boots and gear. I've been using a spray-on for a few years now and am very happy with it. If you buy, make sure to buy the kind made for clothing — and not garden vegetables!

Bob,

I've had very good performance from permethrin on clothing (spray-on: worked for weeks), Ultrathon on exposed skin, and a head net when they're really bad.

A few years ago I tried Naturapel, wanting to like it. It seemed to work pretty well, but only for about 10 minutes per application. I think that was citronella-based, and I may have heard of a reformulated version being introduced since then, which I haven't tried. (checks: yep — 20% Picaridin now)

JohnA

Bob,

Have you considered the Original Bug Shirt, Elite Edition

I do not have one, but they seem very popular with canoeists who trip in seriously buggy areas.

They offer bug pants, too.

–MV

"Picaridin too has been time tested. If you've got it already, you may as well give it a try."

Yes, I have a small pen-size dispenser of it, but I'm not sure how to do a calibrated test. There isn't a self-respecting mosquito within miles of my home. That's why I was going to depend on various opinions here.

It sounds like I will take the one small dispenser of Picariden and one of DEET. The Permethrin will have to go on clothing in advance. I also have one tiny tea-light candle of citronella. That could work inside a shelter to purge the residual mozzies.

–B.G.–

Bob B., I don't think that I will need bug shirts. My shirts, jackets, and pants will be plenty thick enough to keep them from getting through. I would have the head net simply because I don't wear thick clothing around my face.

–B.G.–

I like Permethrin for the clothes and, following the US Army recommendation, 25% DEET for the exposed skin.

A long time ago, I used 100% DEET, but there were the issues of degradation of plastic items – mostly thermoplastics it seemed.

I have used several types of Permethrin, including the 10% solution that you have to dilute way down with water and a 2.5% solution and the "clothing" sold 0.5% solution (Sawyer).

The US Military had methods for application by spray, dipping and bagging with the permethrin. I have forgotten the URLs that I used, and only have the web pages and documents I downloaded without reference to the URL.

To be cautious, I would suggest buying the Sawyer 0.5% clothing packaged 24 ounce spray bottle. However, this is the more expensive way as the product is 99.5% water or inert ingredients.

Read the directions carefully and follow them to the best of your abilities.

It has long been known that the useful life of the Permethrin is limited by the washout rate from laundering. Longer life can be attained with more concentrated applications, but it can be reapplied in the weaker solutions to also prolong the useful life.

The EPA recently reviewed the safety data on the material and renewed whatever useage status it had been given about 10 years ago.

Actually, the most expensive ways to get the product are as aerosol spray cans. The water based 0.5% solutin is much cheaper than that, if you buy the largest size you can find.

That sounds good enough. The pump spray bottle will work, since I won't need a lot. Thanks.

–B.G.–

Bob,

Twice now I've had just a little left over in the large pump bottle after doing one outfit apiece (ls shirt, long pants, socks, and hat) for me, my wife, a 15 year-old, a 13 year-old, and an 11 year-old, though the last two could almost double as walking sticks.

JohnA

Bob,

DEET works best in my opinion, but I have wrecked stuff with the 100% REI Jungle Juice.

When my children got big enough to go backpacking (read when mom could no longer legally block them from going into the dangerous outdoors…) I researched Picardin and like it so much that I take it myself on short trips. It does not have the greasy feeling left on your hands like DEET and no disgusting smell. (I really hate the smell of DEET now.)

It does need to be reapplied more often though.

http://tinyurl.com/2yg2yg

I use Permethrin all the time. I just made up a gallon at about triple the strength of the Sawyer and soaked two pairs of Sahara convertible pants, four t-shirts, a long sleeve shirt, my hat and about 7 pairs of socks. Some of it is going to Sespe Wilderness with me tomorrow.

Email me and I will send a write up about it that I can't publish because of possible legal ramifications. (I use the "real" stuff.)

ray AT backpackinglight DOT com

I am hitting the sack right now but will check in early before I leave.

My current method of choice for mostly mosquitos is Permithrin treated clothing (consider long sleeves and pants if the bugs are bad) and 3M Ultrathon DEET lotion on whatever skin is exposed if I'm still getting bit. I find the permithrin clothing does most of the work if I wearning long sleeves and pants and I rarely have to resort to the DEET at all. Another thing I've noticed is that when I wear a hat, they seem attracted to the top and bother my face less (treat it with permithrin also helps).

I have found tight woven clothing and/or clothing treated with permithrin kept my covered parts protection. When the bugs are bad I use a head net which protects my face. For exposed areas left (typically just my hands) I have been using 20% Picaridin. I found that 8% was ok for moderate bug pressure… 20% had done well even when the bugs were really bad. My understanding is that Picaridin is just slightly less effective than DEET at similar concentrations. I have links to a few papers about bug protection on my unfinished first aid page. Oh, if you look around you can find bug mitts. I haven’t used them myself, but I have seen pictures of them.

–mark

Coming to think about it… mosquitoes are bad, yes, but where black flies / biting flies occur — they can be pretty horrible too!! DEET does nothing here. My guess is neither does Picaridin. :(

What then? Flamethrower?

–B.G.–

No direct experience yet, but the last time I asked the question, somebody swore by Ole Time Woodsman Fly Dope. Maybe other users can comment.

It took me years to trust anything other than DEET (100% or Ultrathon). Been using 20% Picardin for two years. Picardin endorsements by the World Heath Organization and the Center for Disease Control were enough to sway me and I'm happy I switched. It doesn't stop black flies and pesky gnats, but it seems to work well for mosquitos and ticks in conjunction with Permethrin on clothes.

Here is my favorite reference to the effectiveness of Picardin and other insect repellents. (Chapter 8 is good):
http://www.travmed.com/health_guide.htm

>>Ole Time Woodsman Fly Dope

I've used this — it's a New England classic, with a distinct odor. I believe it had coal tar as an ingredient. I'm not sure it was all that effective, but everyone knew you had been in the woods…

>Ole Time Woodsman Fly Dope

Wow… that brings back memories. I had forgotten about it. Years ago we would use it. In retrospect I am not sure how much it helped. Back then we used light wool button up shirts and a head net for protection from the black flies.

–mark