Effects of DEET on hammocks/suspension

**ohhellokrollshow** · 04-17-2017, 20:37

Hi there.

So I recently learned that the active chemical in most bug repellent, DEET, is harmful to some synthetic materials including rayon, spandex, and vinyl. I did not previously know this. My further research was futile in trying to find a comprehensive list.

Does anyone know if DEET is known to have any negative effect on hammock fabrics or synthetic materials used to make suspension systems?

I'd hate to cover myself in DEET only to have it ruin a good hammock.

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**TrailSlug** · 04-17-2017, 20:50

You would have to spray it directly on the material to damage it. If you are looking to bug proof your equipment I would recommend Permethrin.

**IRONFISH45** · 04-18-2017, 00:34

Originally Posted by TrailSlug

You would have to spray it directly on the material to damage it. If you are looking to bug proof your equipment I would recommend Permethrin.

TrailSlug's suggestion, I second.
I do not use DEET on myself or anything else.

**ohhellokrollshow** · 04-18-2017, 04:11

In MI, we have ticks known to spread Lyme disease, and I've read that Permethrin and Picardin are not as effective against ticks as DEET.

Having said that, I certainly don't want to ruin any gear.

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**johnspenn** · 04-18-2017, 04:51

As stated above, use it as a two-layered protection system. Apply the DEET to your exposed skin for immediate personal protection there and use Permethrin on your clothes and gear for residual protection. Don't apply DEET to your gear. Good luck!

**Andy "Bull" Bullock** · 04-18-2017, 05:43

Funny / annoying story. Last year my son had a small bottle of deet in a ziplock bag with his headlamp. The bottle must have opened during storage (not on a trip). We went to prepare for a trip and he pulled out the baggie and the deet had basically destroyed the headlamp. Almost melted it. So yeah, deet hates plastic stuff.

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**ohhellokrollshow** · 04-18-2017, 05:54

I think DEET is toluene based, and from my almost-bachelors in Chemistry days, toluene (a cousin to Benzene) is a pretty decent organic solvent. I'm paranoid of ticks and contracting Lyme disease, so I guess it's Picardin and Permethrin for me

**dscotthep** · 04-18-2017, 06:14

Originally Posted by Andy "Bull" Bullock

Funny / annoying story. Last year my son had a small bottle of deet in a ziplock bag with his headlamp. The bottle must have opened during storage (not on a trip). We went to prepare for a trip and he pulled out the baggie and the deet had basically destroyed the headlamp. Almost melted it. So yeah, deet hates plastic stuff.

But the ziplock bag and the bottle the DEET came in were OK, right? Obviously it doesn't attack EVERY plastic out there, just some of them. Perhaps some testing is in order. But I'd be willing to bet that the tests have already been done and we just need to get our google-fu on.

**Andy "Bull" Bullock** · 04-18-2017, 06:16

Originally Posted by dscotthep

But the ziplock bag and the bottle the DEET came in were OK, right? Obviously it doesn't attack EVERY plastic out there, just some of them. Perhaps some testing is in order. But I'd be willing to bet that the tests have already been done and we just need to get our google-fu on.

Good point. Duh! Lol.

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**OneClick** · 04-18-2017, 07:13

Originally Posted by TrailSlug

You would have to spray it directly on the material to damage it. If you are looking to bug proof your equipment I would recommend Permethrin.

Yeah people overreact to DEET sometimes. If anyone is putting so much on their skin that it's leaking all over the place and "ruining gear", then I think they took the wrong approach in the first place. I can't use it because I hate the greasy feeling and it doesn't work for me anyway...nothing does.