Sawyer Permethrin Being safe when applying

[gunner76]

I live in an area that is infested with ticks, salt water skeeters and deer flies. I treat all my hammocks and hiking clothes and the stuf does work.

After treating I hang my stuff outside to dry and while there is a slight odor at first, I do not smell it after a few days.

[Adfischer]

I can tell you this stuff works very well. I have been using it on mine and my sons clothes we wear to summer camp for the past 3 years. We literally never get tick or mosquito bites anymore. I don't like havin to put chemicals on my clothes, but it sure beats lime disease or west nile.

[Wise Old Owl]

good point Adfischer.

[Pumba]

How well does this work on clothing that's waterproof/water resistant. I have a pair of REI shorts that are water resistant (water beads up on it when wet). Does the Permethrin soak in to this type of product or just bead up?

[Wise Old Owl]

All good questions as water resistant clothes are Hydrophilic and are by design a open weave of plastic fibers. We know that they hang on to odorous body oil so it should be no problem (oil based repellants) - I have a few peices of Hydrostatic clothes ( raincoat) where it beads up - but have allready exausted the product so I cannot test it for you.

[Pumba]

Well, I will test it soon and report back. I have the product, but wanted to ask before I tried it. If nobody else has experience with this, I'll be the guinea pig.

[wisenber]

Won't have to do it again for a few years.

The package says not to apply more than every 42 days. It will not last an entire season. Gear that I treated in March needed a second treatment later in June. If it is an item that is washed (or sweated in) frequently, the treatment does not last the full 42 days from my experience.

[Wise Old Owl]

While I don't disagree - it is a strong repellant - it works and I treated two sets of polyester clothing and a hammock for $20. The Hammock won't be washed and to be honest I treated the bottom. So its going to last three seasons if applied in spring... the clothes - not so much - We have discovered that many members here don't even travel with soap or jump into water unless necessary... Soap is a four lettered word. So I don't see the issue that you are taking.... Its like saying BMW get 35mpg and you get disappointing because you do a 100 mph and get 2o mpg.... but spent $20 on gas.... you are treating two pants and two shirts- or one pair twice - I don't see your problem other than being thrifty!

[Wise Old Owl]

OK here is interesting point... IF you sweat and the polypro shirt gets wet - some of the stuff is getting into the pores in the back - last night it was hot and I was leaning back on the chair rest - no bites but in the morning you could see where the rest was from a mild light itchy rash. If I was hiking that would not happen but compressing the material allows the dried product to get to the skin. (Remember it sprayed and dried on the outside only)

[Emerson Bigills]

I will be hiking the AT section through the GSMNP in a couple weeks. Should I treat my clothing with Permathrin, or is it unnecessary in that area?

[Wise Old Owl]

Its the worst year on record for mosquito and deer ticks - people are getting sick locally with West Nile and Lyme.

West Nile leads to kidney Disease later in life.

I think its a good idea.

[10-K]

Any product made by the makers of the Sawyer In-Line Water Filter (SILWF) has to be safe and beyond reproach.

[Rasty]

Any product made by the makers of the Sawyer In-Line Water Filter (SILWF) has to be safe and beyond reproach.

If the SILWF has a one million gallon guarantee, then why does Permethrin only work for 8 to 10 washes? It appears that they are using the impeccable SILWF reputation to swindle us on chemicals!

[Wise Old Owl]

Ugh OK don't drink from the Sawyer Sprayer....