permethrin and suspension lines

**DGHPTS** · 09-13-2011, 13:04

Hey all,
I'm curious about whether anyone has experience with permethrin on the suspension of hammocks.
My sister lives in Texas and told me how she hates camping on the ground now because the fire ants in campgrounds have "learned" that tents have goodies inside. I told her about using permethrin on the tent itself or better yet changing to a hammock and she asked about ants going down the suspension lines.
I've read where it has worked beautifully on clothing during a hike, but I saw a couple of posts where people have mentioned ants, spiders, fire ants, etc. coming down the suspension lines into a hammock.
I was thinking of treating the lines to my hammock to prevent these "visitors" from following the "highway" into my hammock.
I'm just worried about whether it will harm my suspension lines.
Any experience with this?

**Cannibal** · 09-13-2011, 13:06

Haven't used it on any corded suspensions, but I treat all my webbing suspensions with it. Works fine and I haven't noticed any damage as a result.
Kind of nice to not have spider webs on my suspensions in the mornings.

**rhjanes** · 09-13-2011, 13:10

cannibal, how did you treat the webbing? Just spray on a mist? Heavy? How about treating a WBBB? I misted mine on the outside and let it hang for a day. Don't know if that did any good or not.
TIA

**raiffnuke** · 09-13-2011, 13:11

I soak my entire hammock, suspension included, with permethrin. Keep all of the critters off! No problems here.

**Cannibal** · 09-13-2011, 13:22

Originally Posted by rhjanes

cannibal, how did you treat the webbing?

Same way I treat the rest of the gear.
Generally, I use the soak method. When time is short, or the store is out of the soak method, I use the spray with the same success. When I use the spray, I do tend to spray the item until it is 'damp'. Not necessarily dripping wet, but good and damp.

**gargoyle** · 09-13-2011, 14:27

I sprayed my rig down and it worked fine. Last weekend the skeeters were bad, except for near the hammock.

They were buzzing around 10 feet away and wouldn't come any closer. Best $6 I've spent in a long time!

**oldgringo** · 09-13-2011, 16:42

I used some of that Sawyer's spray permethrin (not aerosol) yesterday, and was displeased to discover product dripping on my hand. I washed it off...I'm still alive, and can remember my DOB, so I guess there is no damage. So a word to the wise: use rubber gloves.

**UncleMJM** · 09-13-2011, 16:57

Originally Posted by oldgringo

I used some of that Sawyer's spray permethrin (not aerosol) yesterday, and was displeased to discover product dripping on my hand. I washed it off...I'm still alive, and can remember my DOB, so I guess there is no damage. So a word to the wise: use rubber gloves.

I knew there would be evidence beyond eye witness testimony that you are NOT a blood sucking disease carrying annoying insect.

(I was pretty convinced all along you were not, but can now be certain since one shouldn't dispute science.

)

**BillyBob58** · 09-13-2011, 16:57

Originally Posted by oldgringo

I used some of that Sawyer's spray permethrin (not aerosol) yesterday, and was displeased to discover product dripping on my hand. I washed it off...I'm still alive, and can remember my DOB, so I guess there is no damage. So a word to the wise: use rubber gloves.

Yep, happens to me every time. Didn't take long to go to gloves. But not always/ Knowing now that Permethrin is used in medical creams, I'm not as paranoid as I use to be and just quicly wipe my hands on cloth and wash ASAP. But, I use the gloves when ever I can remember beforehand, which is usually.

**pizza** · 09-13-2011, 17:44

I treat my suspension (straps and whoopies), hammock, pack, clothing and it works well. No bugs on my gear! I don't treat my tarp. It would just repel the liquid and do little good.