New WBBBs and mosquitos

**Boomer** · 06-15-2011, 22:55

OK, I took the plunge and ordered a WBBB 1.1d and 1.7d. I have a winter Yeti and a bug net coming too.

I camped out last weekend and found three huge welts (two were 1" across) on myself from mosquito bites. Very alergic reaction. I used Deet. I've been reading about people putting permethrin on their hammocks.

So, what is the difference between permethrin and deet? Why use permethrin when you could use deet?

I have heard that deet melts fabric. Anyone out there experience this? I'm guessing that with a double layer, I won't have a problem with bite thru's anyways.

**RootCause** · 06-15-2011, 23:18

Permethrin has been covered extensively on this forum, the archives have some great info.

SUMMARY:
1- DEET is safe for use on human skin, and acts as a mosquito repellent.
2- Permethrin is NOT used on skin, is used (in this context) to soak into fabric and remain in the threads. Permethrin is not a repellent- it is an insecticide, lethal to mosquitoes & ticks but harmless to us vertebrates when it is dry.

I've never been bitten through even my single-layer hammocks.....

**gunner76** · 06-16-2011, 19:58

DEET is not safe to use on nylon fabrics, Permethrin is.

I treat all my hammocks and hiking clothes with Permethrin.

**finskie** · 06-16-2011, 20:03

Originally Posted by RootCause

Permethrin has been covered extensively on this forum, the archives have some great info.

SUMMARY:
1- DEET is safe for use on human skin, and acts as a mosquito repellent.
2- Permethrin is NOT used on skin, is used (in this context) to soak into fabric and remain in the threads. Permethrin is not a repellent- it is an insecticide, lethal to mosquitoes & ticks but harmless to us vertebrates when it is dry.

I've never been bitten through even my single-layer hammocks.....

This is coming from a mosquito expert... I've been to MN and that is serious skeeter country! They have 2 seasons, frozen and bitten.

**BillyBob58** · 06-16-2011, 21:11

Originally Posted by RootCause

Permethrin has been covered extensively on this forum, the archives have some great info.

SUMMARY:
1- DEET is safe for use on human skin, and acts as a mosquito repellent.
2- Permethrin is NOT used on skin, is used (in this context) to soak into fabric and remain in the threads. Permethrin is not a repellent- it is an insecticide, lethal to mosquitoes & ticks but harmless to us vertebrates when it is dry.

I've never been bitten through even my single-layer hammocks.....

Originally Posted by gunner76

DEET is not safe to use on nylon fabrics, Permethrin is.

I treat all my hammocks and hiking clothes with Permethrin.

There is also available Picaridin 20% ( max ) which seems to work very well, and I find it much more tolerable than DEET. It appears to be safe on fabrics, and will work if sprayed on your clothes.

But Permethrin - for clothing/hammocks only, NOT skin, will last weeks compared to 8 hours max for the Picaridin. Permethrin - in my experience- is VERY effective at keeping bugs away from me period, and particularly at keeping them away from the clothing/hammocks/packs that I have treated.

**RootCause** · 06-16-2011, 21:25

Originally Posted by finskie

This is coming from a mosquito expert... I've been to MN and that is serious skeeter country! They have 2 seasons, frozen and bitten.

LOL! I was always raised to believe that our two seasons were WINTER and ROAD CONSTRUCTION....

**Boomer** · 06-16-2011, 22:08

Originally Posted by BillyBob58

There is also available Picaridin 20% ( max ) which seems to work very well, and I find it much more tolerable than DEET. It appears to be safe on fabrics, and will work if sprayed on your clothes.

But Permethrin - for clothing/hammocks only, NOT skin, will last weeks compared to 8 hours max for the Picaridin. Permethrin - in my experience- is VERY effective at keeping bugs away from me period, and particularly at keeping them away from the clothing/hammocks/packs that I have treated.

Billybob58, you said that it will last "for weeks". Does that mean that every couple of months I'll need to re-treat the hammocks with it? By the way, where would I get it and how much will it cost?

Is there anything that treating the hammock with Permethrin will do that wouldn't happen without treatment? My understanding is that the bugs are not biting thru the bottom of the hammocks. What would be the advantage? Does it kill like black flies if they get inside the WBBB and land on the fabric?

**Shug** · 06-16-2011, 22:28

I have soaked my clothing in it in high tick and skeeter season....it helps.
http://www.sawyer.com/permethrin.htm
Shug

**Silverlion** · 06-16-2011, 23:44

Originally Posted by RootCause

LOL! I was always raised to believe that our two seasons were WINTER and ROAD CONSTRUCTION....

That's how it is in Oregon! I've never had issues with DEET. Aside from the seizures and constant twitching.......Maybe that's the shrooms. Who knows? Now I just drink a lot of whiskey or beer and keep them at bay. I heard that rubbing the inside of an orange peel keeps them away(never tried it). I also heard of some sort of sulfur based something or other that works. I'd think you be running around smelling like.....well, you know. Deet seems to be cheap and plentiful. Guess that's why I use it.

**finskie** · 06-17-2011, 14:04

Originally Posted by RootCause

LOL! I was always raised to believe that our two seasons were WINTER and ROAD CONSTRUCTION....

No, that's PA! I challenge anyone to travel the length of the PA turnpike from April to October, and not hit construction. I also found out that MN state police can clock you while traveling in the opposite direction