Silnylon DIY and mosquitoes

**Flackfizer** · 09-23-2010, 21:49

I am getting pretty sick of the little *******s. I am in Florida and they are a year-round problem--to the point of making hanging sometimes very unpleasant. I am moving towards a DIY hammock adn have been using a full enclosure net. The problem is where elbows, shoulders, back of hands etc rest against the hammock cloth and press outward against the net. Big mosquitoes have no real trouble getting through that. On a bad night you just lie there like Gulliver afraid to move one way or another. What I want to know is if anyone has any real experience with this and can say if silnylon will in fact block a mosquitoe's stinger? Maybe heavier than 1.1 oz? what is the collective wisdom on this?

**Knotty** · 09-23-2010, 22:07

I don't think silnylon will but generally two layers of ripstop will. So make or buy a hammock from two layers of 1.1oz nylon ripstop and it should stop those little buggers from finding a clean straight line between the threads to you.

**JerryW** · 09-23-2010, 22:08

Silnylon isn't going to breath, so not the best material for a hammock. Think 'sweaty'!

Have you tried spraying the hammock and netting with Permethrin? Bugs don't even land or crawl on my hammock anymore. Definitely worth a try.

Jerry

**Flackfizer** · 09-23-2010, 22:53

That i have been thinking about silnylon shows how desperate I have been feeling! I have a small pile of the stuff here I got to make some stuff sacks and when I came in tonight from a feeding (the bugs on me I mean) I began to wonder as I looked at my folded green sheets. Knotty is no doubt correct that ripstop would be a better way to go. The double layer is what Claytor does and people seem pleased. The problem is that Florida is a special problem. Until I hear some one from here who knows the situation as well as I do say that this or that hammock does the job, I am gonna go off on the DIY road. Another good thing too is that ripstop is cheaper.....! Thanks for the aid guys!

**Flackfizer** · 09-23-2010, 22:55

how long does Permathin hold out for? We use natural stuff (often useless) since my wife hiking partner is afraid of super chemicals. But--if something works well.....

**sr1355** · 09-24-2010, 07:23

Why not just use a bugsock, with the hang below and the loose fit on sides that should keep most of the little buggers at bay...

**leroybrown** · 09-24-2010, 08:01

+1 for the bugsock.

Warbonnetguy makes one - its pretty affordable. If you like your hammock why not try this?

http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/travelers.php

**Lonely Raven** · 09-24-2010, 08:14

Originally Posted by Flackfizer

how long does Permathin hold out for? We use natural stuff (often useless) since my wife hiking partner is afraid of super chemicals. But--if something works well.....

Permethrin is a synthetic Chrysanthemum oil; the real deal that is all natural is called PYRETHRUM. I've used Permethrin, and it's truly amazing, but hazardous to cats and fish (safe for cats after it's "cured" aka dry).

I know gardeners use Pyrethrum when they are worried about the chemicals, but if you do a little research, you'll find that Permethrin is actually probably in your house already...it's used as a pesticide for veggies and stuff.

Permethrin is the key ingredient in the flea and tick sprays used for *dogs*. They do have a cat version, but it's something like 1/100th less permethrin.

I'm allergic to mosquitoes, and I use a double layer Warbonnet Blackbird and spray the yard with the Flea and Tick Permethrin spray that's 2.5% strong. I got a couple nibbles this summer, but not enough to make me sick. And all those were from mosquitoes inviting themselves *inside* the hammock when I was getting in/out.

I've not yet soaked my hammock, but I will next spring when the mosquitoes come out in force.

**RootCause** · 09-24-2010, 08:34

Originally Posted by Flackfizer

how long does Permathin hold out for? We use natural stuff (often useless) since my wife hiking partner is afraid of super chemicals. But--if something works well.....

Permethrin bonds with the fiber, and becomes waterproof once dried. When sprayed on pants, I know it lasts at least six washings. I've been using it since 1990 with no ill effects.

The permethrin sprays/washes used for consumer goods are not as concentrated as the agricultural and pet sprays. As stated above, it's a synthetic version of a natural compound, and it's wonderful stuff. I highly recommend it.

**NCPatrick** · 09-24-2010, 08:59

What exactly does Permethrin do to bugs? I know it kills them, but how exactly? Do they have to come in contact with the material? Does it act as a repellant?

Curiouser...