Bug repellent advice?

[Winston Wolf]

I agree that DEET is very effective and safe.

I am a little disappointed that you chose to cast doubt on my information regarding permethrin, especially as a quick internet search yields quite a bit of reliable information about the subject. I would add that I am also experienced in this area, and I will say how. I am a physician, I have been a member of the Wilderness Medical Society, I have gone on medical missions to third world countries (requiring mosquito safety for everyone on the team), and I am the travel med doc for our office.

Let me point out a few resources that can be useful for learning about permethrin treatment.

The first is from the United States of America military. A pertinent paragraph reads:

Uniforms treated with permethrin in factories are preferred to
individual treatment. Factory-treatment is the most efficient
and fastest method of uniform treatment. Tests show
factory-treated uniforms may provide protection for up to 50
launderings, but treating uniforms with permethrin sprays or
kits only will be effective for 5 or 6 launderings. When
permethrin is applied before the uniform is purchased or
issued, it reduces the risk of Service members being
exposed by breathing vapors or coming in contact with skin.
Following individual treatment, make sure uniforms dry
completely before wearing them.



Another useful site is REI.com, which sells clothing treated with permethrin at the factory. It is exOfficio's "Buzz Off" line of clothing:



You can also read about permethin treatment spray on Amazon:

Good post. Thanks for the information.

 

[annabug]

Um, I can't tell if you're being facetious towards me or not but it certainly seems that way. I'm also not sure if you thoroughly read my response but it was of an actual real life experience I had just three months ago using BUG SPRAY (without DEET), in St. Maarten, and NOT getting bit.

I wasn't being facetious at all, and sorry if you felt that way. Wasn't my intention.

My point was that I am uncomfortable with putting chemicals on my kids, but I feel like I don't have a choice. It is my personal feeling about it.

Normally, like you, I only use a lemon eucalyptus type. But this time I feel more uneasy about exposure.

I was very glad to read that you did not have any issues on your trip. Definitely reassuring.

 

[annabug]

I agree that DEET is very effective and safe.

I am a little disappointed that you chose to cast doubt on my information regarding permethrin, especially as a quick internet search yields quite a bit of reliable information about the subject. I would add that I am also experienced in this area, and I will say how. I am a physician, I have been a member of the Wilderness Medical Society, I have gone on medical missions to third world countries (requiring mosquito safety for everyone on the team), and I am the travel med doc for our office.

Let me point out a few resources that can be useful for learning about permethrin treatment.

The first is from the United States of America military. A pertinent paragraph reads:

Uniforms treated with permethrin in factories are preferred to
individual treatment. Factory-treatment is the most efficient
and fastest method of uniform treatment. Tests show
factory-treated uniforms may provide protection for up to 50
launderings, but treating uniforms with permethrin sprays or
kits only will be effective for 5 or 6 launderings. When
permethrin is applied before the uniform is purchased or
issued, it reduces the risk of Service members being
exposed by breathing vapors or coming in contact with skin.
Following individual treatment, make sure uniforms dry
completely before wearing them.

http://dhl.dhhq.health.mil/Product/RetrieveFile?prodId=242

Another useful site is REI.com, which sells clothing treated with permethrin at the factory. It is exOfficio's "Buzz Off" line of clothing:

http://www.rei.com/s/insect-repelle...|google|main&gclid=CPKIhYPH3r8CFQwV7AodGX4AIg

You can also read about permethin treatment spray on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Produc...8-1&keywords=sawyer+products+insect+repellent

Again, Thank you for this useful information. I plan to make a trip to our local REI to check it out.

 

[annabug]

I'm not going to say how I know this, but have extensive experience in this area.

A few things. Picaradin is a great choice for spraying on your gear/clothes. DEET is a plasticizer and will ruin hunting/fishing gear and in theory damage synthetic materials such as cotton/polyester blends. I sure wouldn't spray it on your swimsuit. I'm not as familiar with Permethrin as for skin contact. I know it's used in foggers/fumigators to kill pests in the home. For that reason, I'm a little leary of it. I also really question the comment someone made about being able to wash your clothes 6 times and it remaining effective.

If you're worried about DEET safety, know that DEET % is tied to hours of effectiveness. So using a lower % of DEET will be just as effective as a higher % over a short amount of time. You would need to reapply for the effectiveness to maintain...which you should do anyway. If you blast yourself with DEET, then wipe your arm on your shirt, some of the effectiveness is lost. Mosquitos can find an untreated area the size of a quarter, so make sure after you spray that you spread it around with your hands to completely cover your skin.

Hope this helps.

Yes, it helps. Thank you for your input. Im going with the Deet. It just makes the most sense for me and my family. We will only be out for a few hours, at the beach. Its basically insurance for myself, to relax and have a good time!

 

[2disneycruzrs]

I was so paranoid when I saw a mosquito this week in my hotel room at a Caribbean resort that I wore Off Deep Woods on my arms and legs to bed! It was a reported location so I wasn't taking chances!

 

[excitedirishgirl]

Apparently if you take vitamin b complex for2weeks before hand it makes you smell like a vegetable to mosquito's etc. Worked for us anyways !!