Permethrin on a hammock?

**Ashman** · 01-31-2009, 15:33

I picked up a bottle of Permethrin at our REI Members garage sale today. It was reduced 66% because the bottle didn't have a sprayer! Anyway, I seem to remember reading once that in addition to using it to treat clothes, you could use it on a hammock to prevent the wee beasties from having a "southside" feast. Is this true? If so any thing to be cautious of? Seems pretty easy, just set up hammock, spray, and let dry a few hours.

**sbmcghee** · 01-31-2009, 16:05

Several of the members around here use it on everything including hammock and tarp. It seems to work for them. I'm jumping on the permethrin bandwagon this season too.

**pedro** · 01-31-2009, 16:07

Spray it outdoors, and let it dry outdoors. Don't breath the stuff. Don't let cats, birds, or fish near it until it's dry. Permethrin works great.

**Ashman** · 01-31-2009, 16:17

After it dries it is okay to sleep against it right? I am assuming so because you put it on clothes but wanted to be sure before I did it.

**pedro** · 01-31-2009, 16:33

Correct. Once it's dry, you are good to go.

**Nest** · 02-01-2009, 03:11

Originally Posted by pedro

Spray it outdoors, and let it dry outdoors. Don't breath the stuff. Don't let cats, birds, or fish near it until it's dry. Permethrin works great.

Yeah, I learned this the hard way. Sprayed some gear outside, and let my fish out for a walk a few minutes later. He wasn't even close to the stuff, but I guess it gets in the air or something. After just a few seconds he was flopping all over the ground and gasping for air. I think it causes an alergic reaction or someting. Poor fishie.

**pedro** · 02-01-2009, 10:18

Originally Posted by Nest

Yeah, I learned this the hard way. Sprayed some gear outside, and let my fish out for a walk a few minutes later. He wasn't even close to the stuff, but I guess it gets in the air or something. After just a few seconds he was flopping all over the ground and gasping for air. I think it causes an alergic reaction or someting. Poor fishie.

Sorry to hear about the untimely demise of your

Snakehead.

**mgabel_pi** · 02-01-2009, 11:09

It's no big deal if a shirt is not quite as strong after a permethrin treatment, but I'm sort of concerned about material that needs to be tough and strong (like hammock parts). I've bought the stuff but have been holding back on using it.

**Take-a-knee** · 02-01-2009, 11:14

Originally Posted by mgabel_pi

It's no big deal if a shirt is not quite as strong after a permethrin treatment, but I'm sort of concerned about material that needs to be tough and strong (like hammock parts). I've bought the stuff but have been holding back on using it.

I have no idea if this is true for sure but I suspect not. I've treated my two hammocks and my daughter's but we weigh 165# and 125#(respectively) so that may not mean anything. I used to hose everything with permethrin in the army, never had a problem with it.

**angrysparrow** · 02-01-2009, 11:17

Originally Posted by mgabel_pi

It's no big deal if a shirt is not quite as strong after a permethrin treatment, but I'm sort of concerned about material that needs to be tough and strong (like hammock parts). I've bought the stuff but have been holding back on using it.

It doesn't have any noticeable affect on the material. I've used permethrin on my hammocks for a while with no ill-effect.