Permethrin spray

**scooterbrown** · 09-01-2012, 07:49

I used the Sawyers (24oz bottle) spray to treat my hammock and bug net. I keep reading about folks that say permethrin creates a "no-fly zone" for skeeters. I'm wondering if maybe I didn't use enough because they don't seem to mind too much. If the zipper is open they'll come on in. I know I've read posts about folks that use permethrin and no bug net, so what am I missing here?

I will say that I had a dead spider on the outside of the netting, so apparently it's doing something

**FLRider** · 09-01-2012, 07:59

Permethrin isn't perfect. It's good...really good...but not perfect at keeping skeeters away.

Picaridin or DEET applied to your skin (I prefer the former; it works better on ticks and won't melt your hammock the way that the higher concentrations of DEET can) combined with Permethrin is probably about 98% effective against mosquitoes for the first two or three hours after application.

Which works for me; the mosquitoes are worst right around sundown around here. So, once the effectiveness has worn off some, the mosquitoes have mostly gone to bed anyway. Which means that the netting and layer of nylon around you should suffice with the Permethrin to keep you essentially bug-free.

I occasionally have a mosquito wander into my hammock. Usually, they're dead by morning. Camping Darwinism at work? I dunno...either way, I find that Permethrin enhances my outdoor experience by making it more comfortable.

Hope it helps!

**scooterbrown** · 09-01-2012, 08:08

Thanks FLRider!!!! What picaridin product do you recommend? I see REI has a few options.

**Omgak** · 09-01-2012, 08:10

i sprayed just my bugnet a few days ago, i have to say for me it works very nicely. my backyard is so bad with skiters that you can't go out there without losing a pint of blood (ok maybe not a pint but you get the drift). i find that since spraying it i can even stand outside of the bugnet but next to it and have yet to be biten near it. i used about 6oz spraying the net. instuctions said 6oz is enough for one set of clothes. mine isn't sawyers brand mine is 3m ultrathon, but the guy at rei said that it works just as well but was cheaper. it has the same amount of permethrin as the sawyers (i checked).
i would reccomend to try spraying more on the bugnet.

**Omgak** · 09-01-2012, 08:13

Originally Posted by FLRider

Picaridin or DEET applied to your skin

the 3m brand says do not allow to contact skin till dry.

**scooterbrown** · 09-01-2012, 08:25

Originally Posted by Omgak

i would reccomend to try spraying more on the bugnet.

Around here (NC) they hang out in the garage waiting for me to open the door. I'll be applying more spray this weekend.

**Omgak** · 09-01-2012, 08:27

Originally Posted by scooterbrown

Around here (NC) they hang out in the garage waiting for me to open the door. I'll be applying more spray this weekend.

i know the feeling here you can practicly see them drooling

**rhjanes** · 09-01-2012, 09:02

Well, it is a repellant. They have to be within an inch or so of it. So leaving your bugnet open, is just inviting them in. They sense YOU. So if you want to leave the net open, then treat you also.
Recomend to treat yourself! Here in the Dallas area, we have a widespread outbreak of West Nile. My wife got it, probably from going out at sunrise without long sleeves and no DEET on. We walk everynight, but apply DEET and don't get bit. I apply DEET to exposed skin. One night after a rain, our walk (this is on concrete pathways around the neighborhood) took us over a bridge. Our backs were COVERED with nats! They just lighted on our shirts. They didn't light on the exposed skin. So repellants keep them of the surface it was applied to. It isn't a force-field bubble surrounding us (or you in you hammock).

**sturgeon** · 09-01-2012, 10:00

+1 on what rhjanes says: Permethrin isn't really a repellant in the usual sense--it's a contact insecticide. If the mosquito doesn't land on the fabric, it's gonna be okay. Use permethrin more for creepy crawlies like ticks.

**DemostiX** · 09-01-2012, 10:23

Originally Posted by scooterbrown

Thanks FLRider!!!! What picaridin product do you recommend? I see REI has a few options.

I believe it repackaged from the license-holding maker. You want the 20%, which I hae seen several ways, including a tampon-size spray bottle from Sawyer. On that, though, read the small print if you also buy, in easily confused package, the 100 Deet.
I also have a pump-spray bottle of picaridin with the Repel brand name.