Mosquito madness! Be EXTRA CAREFUL!

[Doc B]

Hey Gang,

This isn't so much of a hammock post but a general "heads up". Make sure to take extra precautions regarding Mosquitos, especially in the south.

I was involved in a manatee rescue nearly 2 weeks ago. I got over 50 stings to my face, over a hundred on each leg, and didn't bother counting my arms. Three days later I developed an awful headache. Long story short, I got West Nile Virus, the mosquitoes being the vector. It is not fatal in first world countries and many people get mild cases of it without even realizing it. The first two weeks are awful and there is often fatigue and joint inflammation for as long as 8 weeks from incubation. The ache and inflammation actually feels worse than my last spinal surgery.

I have not observed hoards of mosquitoes this bad in my life. Even in the Everglades!

Happy hanging, friends!
Doc

[HURTHEART]

Thank you for the warning. I just had the experience of being the first human host at a lake that had just thawed out. The road was opened a couple of hours ahead of us. I should have known better. We were out of the vehicle looking for a spot for our hammocks. A black cloud of the skeeters came at us. Back in the car, smashing skeeters. My legs are covered in bites as are my arms and face.

I live part time in northern B.C., I have just gotten spoiled living in western Oregon. We seldom become inundated with skeeters. At home in the evening I have to close everything up, because they will swarm into our home. Here in Oregon, I can leave the windows open in the evening.

I hope you fully recover, without any lasting damage.

Again, thanks for the warning.

[Doc B]

Wow!!! Hang in there man! The thing that most concerns me is that wilderness areas I would normally enjoy are 100% off limits now. The hoards of mosquitoes are there 24/7 so I cannot even hike or paddle in unscathed. In years past the mosquitoes would not be too bad until certain times of day.

I have some of my quick dry clothes soaking in some of the permethrin mix right now to see if that helps.

[cjayflo]

Not sure what they carry but they are horrible in west Michigan. I took a short day hike with my youngest today and I am so glad I spent the money and got him a Columbia bug shirt. I wound up spraying my Buff with 30% deet and putting it over his head like a pirate scarf they were so bad. I wear a sun hat that is soaked in peremethrin and I deet it on occasion. That helps a lot to keep them off my face.

[Doc B]

Where do you guys buy your permethrin?

[Stargaze]

http://http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov...e-for-wnv.html

This was issued in Mass today. Going to be another wonderful skeeter season.

[Wise Old Owl]

Where do you guys buy your permethrin?

http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Permeth...tick+repellent




Here is why I am pushing this.. read the **** instructions! wear the full face mask with a valve. have some rubber gloves!

If you mess up your skin will itch for a month..

[Doc B]

Thanks so much Wise Owl!

I just took some clothes out of a permethrin "kit" I purchased some time ago. Even with the small amount of permethrin in the solution, I'm glad I saw your glove warning. I will surely be buying some of the stronger stuff as well. I like the idea about applying Deet to the exterior of hats, etc. too.

I cannot even get to my favorite backcountry flats to fish unless the wind is blowing off the Gulf. These skeeters will carry you away!

Cheers,
Robby

[HURTHEART]

I just purchased this product yesterday, after a lot of consideration. I was eaten alive last weekend. My legs and arms are covered in bites. I decided I had to do something different. I really do not want to use anything with DEET in it, I hope this works as advertised.

Thank you for posting the information.

[arczeneb]

Another breed to invade the US agressive bites all day long. Look up the Asian tiger mosquito. Check and see if your area is in its path. For us bugs are slim to none.
Be safe and have a wonderful summer.