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  1. #1
    Member attrezzo's Avatar
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    DEET and your hammock?

    As a quick reminder or educational link for those who aren't sure about how deet works...

    http://www.torontohiking.com/html/deet.html

    This post is in regards to the "plasticizer" comment in the above link.
    Polyethylene is what sunglasses, watches, and most other "cheap plastic" stuff is made out of. I've defiantly seen the effect of deet on stuff made out of polyethylene.

    But what about nylon?

    Most of our hammocks are made of nylon or a derivative from my understanding they're chemically dissimilar enough not to respond to deet. Can anyone answer this with chemical authority?

    The reason I ask is because in summer months I find it effective to pre-treat my hammock with a very light spray of deet. Of course I put a little on my exposed parts for good measure on topside but it'll last a good few days to prevent being eaten alive. I've tried nets and cocoons but if my hammock touches the sides the mosquitoes bite THROUGH the net AND the hammock.

    Deet has alleviated this entirely. In most areas I don't even need a cocoon, I just sleep in the bare hammock.

    But is it destroying my nylon? So far, I see no effect after about 2 years of medium usage. AKA 3-4 day trips every other month.

    The up side for me is that at this rate I don't really care. I use the cheap $30 fake-eno hammock stuff. Hammock Bliss etc. So if I go through 1 every two years I'll still do it. I just don't wanna inspire others to destroy their expensive Warbonnets or tents and whatnot.

    PS Take a look at the link. They suggest eating lots of Vitamin C and B1 and avoiding other food to prevent creating lactic acid that attracts female mosquitos. Can anyone vet for this?

  2. #2
    Senior Member Buffalo Skipper's Avatar
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    I have 2 friends who were chemical engineers at a local nylon manufacturing facility (formely Monsanto). I will ask.
    “Indian builds small fire and stays warm, white man builds big fire and stays warm collecting firewood”—unknown

    “The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea”—Karen Blixen

  3. #3
    Senior Member Buffalo Skipper's Avatar
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    Update pending

    I just spoke to one of my co-workers whose wife is a chemical engineer (specializing in fabrics) at the Solutia (formally Monsanto) plant. He is going to ask her at home tonight. If he gets back to me quickly, I will pass on what she says.

    In the meantime, here is something I discovered about deet in general and nylon is mentioned specifically.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig122

    It says ...
    Only apply DEET formulations to exposed skin; do not apply to areas underneath clothing. DEET will damage plastic materials, so do not apply DEET formulations on or near plastics, acetate, rayon, Spandex, synthetic fabrics (other than nylon), furniture finishes, leather, watch crystals, and painted or varnished surfaces. Plastic glass frames and goggles should be protected from DEET applications. Car finishes and interiors also may be damaged by DEET. It will not damage nylon, cotton, or wool fabrics.
    Last edited by Buffalo Skipper; 09-28-2010 at 16:17.
    “Indian builds small fire and stays warm, white man builds big fire and stays warm collecting firewood”—unknown

    “The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea”—Karen Blixen

  4. #4
    Senior Member Knotty's Avatar
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    DEET is designed for application to skin. To treat the hammock, use permethrin. Permethrin has been discussed extensively on this forum so a search will yield lots of good info.
    Knotty
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  5. #5
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    I second the use of permetherin. It works like a charm.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Shewie's Avatar
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    I've seen what Deet can do to a steering wheel

    Permethrin all the way for me

  7. #7
    Senior Member Old River Rat's Avatar
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    I can remember what Deet did to the finish on my guns when I was a teenager. Since then I have been very careful in it's use. Permethrin is a good alternative.

  8. #8
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    DEET ate a hole in my tent!

  9. #9
    Member AduroNox's Avatar
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    I don't know about it's effects on nylon, but I do now that DEET was put here by the devil to torment campers everywhere, so I have a bias against it. But if it keeps the bugs off, and you don't see any damage, I say go for it!

    -Aduro
    Set fire to the night, for light is only made bright by darkness.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Cannibal's Avatar
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    DEET is a four-letter word.
    Trust nobody!

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