Mosquitos in Florida

**ninjahamockman** · 02-23-2013, 23:08

I live in utah we don't have as much of a humid climate as you guys in florida but from what I hear in florida you might want to bring one and some permetherin.

**SmokeHouse** · 02-23-2013, 23:09

Originally Posted by BlackHand

i live in central florida and went on a canoe trip today didnt think about it and didnt bring any bug spray or anything and this happened just trying to put my hammock up.

After seeing this you might want to bring 3 or 4 bug nets... dang

**Hardhead** · 02-24-2013, 00:18

Hand grenades!!! The only time I don't worry about mosquitoes is either during a cold front or for about a day or maaaybe two after. And even that is subject to change. These critters just don't quit here.

**ntfd60** · 02-24-2013, 02:14

I say ditto to taking your netting. Always be prepared for bugs or spiders if you can.

**Capt Nat** · 02-24-2013, 13:09

Sometimes just around dusk you can actually hear them coming just before they get to you. If you are any where around salt water, the no seeums will devour you also...

On the bright side, you're not likely to freeze to death!!!

**nsdemon** · 02-24-2013, 14:01

is Permethrin better then deet?
Louisiana here and we have big ones

**Junebugdawn** · 02-24-2013, 14:28

Permethrin is safe for gear fabrics, whereas deet has been known to deteriorate some fabrics. One application of military grade permethrin can last all camping season.

**nsdemon** · 02-24-2013, 14:30

Originally Posted by Junebugdawn

Permethrin is safe for gear fabrics, whereas deet has been known to deteriorate some fabrics. One application of military grade permethrin can last all camping season.

cool thanks

**FLRider** · 02-24-2013, 14:33

Originally Posted by nsdemon

is Permethrin better then deet?
Louisiana here and we have big ones

Edit: Junebugdawn beat me to it...

Permethrin is a chemical treatment for fabrics that affects all arthropods (though arachnids, due to their breathing apparati, aren't as quickly affected as insects) as an insecticide and repellent; you don't put it on your skin, you put it on your clothing and gear.

The standard spray treatment lasts (supposedly) six weeks or six washings; I've found that I sweat badly enough that two weekends out (four to six days) will seriously compromise clothing's treatment. My gear stays repellent fairly long, though.

Apparently, there is also a military soak treatment that lasts up to 100 washings (so, almost the lifetime of the garment), but I've not used that one yet.

Note that, if you have cats, this stuff is toxic to them while wet (when dry it is not), so keep them away from your treated clothing and gear while it is drying.

If you want something good as a skeeter and tick repellent for your skin, look into Picaridin (20% concentration; sold both as Natrapel and Sportsman Gear Smart brands around here): it won't eat your nylon gear like the higher concentrations of DEET will, and it doesn't have that acrid, back of the throat smell to it. It doesn't work as well on chiggers as the higher concentrations of DEET, but it does work nearly as well on mosquitoes and better on ticks (in my experience). The downside is that it lasts about 3/4 as long between applications.

Hope it helps!

**ice man** · 02-24-2013, 19:10

Soak your hammock and bug net with permethrin. It's just SO satisfying to lay there watching a skeet crawling around on your bug net trying to find a way in to get you, only to curl up and roll down the side, stone cold DEAD!