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25 Permethrin and insect repellents (Read 22162 times)
Westwood
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Permethrin and insect repellents
Jul 10th, 2016 at 4:03am
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Consumers Reports in the July 2016 issue at 40 discusses insect repellents and in the August 2016 issue at 25 discusses permethrin.  The top rated repellent was Sawyer Picaridin which scored 96, Ben's 30% Deet Tick & Insect Wilderness Formula scored 93.  It rates 16 brands in the three page article.

They tested different shirts which were treated with permethrin and had different results.  The report found that permethrin helped to reduce bites and did kill some mosquitoes.  ". . .Plus, none of the treated shirts we tested were as effective against bites as an ordinary shirt sprayed with deet.  And it's worth noting: The shirts don't eliminate the need for using repellent on your skin or untreated clothing.  In fact, the manufacturers stress the important of wearing the clothing along with a tropical repellent.  The August report is also 3 pages.

Just thought the group might find the articles interesting.
  
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solotripper
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Re: Permethrin and insect repellents
Reply #1 - Jul 10th, 2016 at 11:30am
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I'm a big fan of using a Permethrin clothing soak on ALL my tripping clothes. I use a kit that is made for military/aid workers in foreign countries. I also cut the recommended dosage in half and it still works good.

There right about using something on your exposed skin becasue the insects are going to find a way to bite you if they can.

I have DEET it's 100% a surplus military bottle that I bring as a FAIL SAFE but so far I've never needed it.

ALL my outdoor clothes are synthetic. DEET and synthetics don't get along at all. Permethrin doesn't effect synthetic or at least I've never noticed it.

In my observations Permethrin was more than decent on mosquitos and since it kills on contact, the skeeter needs to land not just hover around you.

Where it really shines is with the ticks. A tick gets on your sock/pant/shirt and next thing you see is it falling dead on the ground. I'd take an occasional skeet bite anyday over those damn ticks.

I recommended to anyone trying that clothing soak even if you just do one set of clothes and do a little field test of your own before committing to it.

I also think a person's individual body chemistry (scent) has a lot to do with it. Some people just seem to attract bugs more than others.

A treated outfit will last thru multiple washings, basically a whole outdoor season. The convenience of that and the cost savings with a one time application is something to consider too.
  
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zski
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Re: Permethrin and insect repellents
Reply #2 - Jul 11th, 2016 at 1:56pm
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in addition to permethrin, last 3 years i've used sawyer picaridin and liked it. the small pen sized spray dispensers fit nice in a pfd pocket.  i recall reading somewhere that whatever brand you're using it must be at least 20% product to be effective (pretty sure that's right) and there are other brands out there that use less than 20%.
  
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solotripper
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Re: Permethrin and insect repellents
Reply #3 - Jul 11th, 2016 at 5:17pm
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Zski brought up a good point.
Permethrin is for treating FABRIC not to be used DIRECTLY on the skin.

Picaridin is like DEET meant to be put on skin but is MUCH safer.

I had some SAWYER bug spray I carry in little travel size plastic pump bottle when I need bug dope on exposed skin. It works well and after reading about Picaridin, I read the label and sure enough I had been using it and didn't realize it. I just knew it was DEET free.
  
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Gavia
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Re: Permethrin and insect repellents
Reply #4 - Aug 2nd, 2016 at 2:31am
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Ditto.  I use picaridin and find it quite effective against mosquitoes.  I also spray clothing with permethrin.  Whether that helps or not, I don't know, but I don't recall getting bitten through my shirt.
  
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The Gimp of 01
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Re: Permethrin and insect repellents
Reply #5 - Aug 2nd, 2016 at 4:15pm
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solotripper wrote on Jul 11th, 2016 at 5:17pm:
Picaridin is like DEET meant to be put on skin but is MUCH safer.


ST; you mentioned DEET not playing nice with synthetics. how about Picaridin? I know if I want to really stick to the handle on my fishing reel I just leave a little DEET on those fingers. 
  
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solotripper
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Re: Permethrin and insect repellents
Reply #6 - Aug 2nd, 2016 at 6:57pm
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I didn't notice any DEET like effects on my fishing rod handle but then I wear half finger paddling gloves to avoid getting blisters with my double paddle.

I'd say trying it out IF that's a concern, but offhand I'd say it isn't from the way my synthetic gloves feel?
  
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zski
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Re: Permethrin and insect repellents
Reply #7 - Aug 2nd, 2016 at 10:35pm
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All over the packaging it says "will not harm gear"
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i think they're right.  no damaged gear here.
  
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Jim
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Re: Permethrin and insect repellents
Reply #8 - Aug 4th, 2016 at 3:38am
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I used the Sawyer picardin repellent on a backpacking trip this past weekend, and it worked well.  I still used Ultrathon (with det) on my Quetico trip in July, in addition to permethrin on clothing.  I think that the key is permethrin.  It works very well, and if you don't leave too much skin exposed, then either deet or picardin will work, but picardin does seem less harsh and didn't affect my gear.
  
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solotripper
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Re: Permethrin and insect repellents
Reply #9 - Apr 4th, 2017 at 4:58pm
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I'm a big fan of Permethrin but as you know that is ONLY for gear, not your skin.

Sawyer Picaridin seems to be a good product for that but it's ALWAYS nice to have some more options.

I ran across this AMERICAN MADE product and plan on giving it a try. If nothing else I'll be able to stand smelling MYSELF after a few days in the Q.  Wink Grin Grin

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