SFR DEET

Sorta fishing-related
Two years ago I had a bad case of "Skeeter Syndrome" ( that is an actual medical term). After driving home with several welts from Eastern WA, I googled it. It was no joke. I was actually sick. I went on a mission to compile a "war chest" for my next visit. Chemicals to spray on the inside of my camper and clothes, a net for my head,100% DEET, and even a battery powered device that repels mosquitos (these things are magic, like space age Citronella candles). And a product called "sting ease" for when I got bitten (magical stuff). All this fits neatly into a small box.
 
troutpocket said:
Made the mistake of relying on Skin-so-soft exactly once.
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Skin so soft has worked great for my family for decades. The trick is to use the SSS bath oil in the shower before toweling off. That traps the SSS into the skin better and locks in moisture better at high dry altitudes too. Then DEET spray on cloths or a bug suit if it is really bad.
 
fatbillybob said:
Skin so soft has worked great for my family for decades. The trick is to use the SSS bath oil in the shower before toweling off. That traps the SSS into the skin better and locks in moisture better at high dry altitudes too. Then DEET spray on cloths or a bug suit if it is really bad.
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If SSS works with your system, I’m glad you made it work. The experience that turned me off was more in the “bug suit and DEET” category.
 
Personally, I don't care for Deet because of the melting of all sorts of things. Also fortunately, it's not often that I've found myself in areas where it was required (there have been a couple of trips here and there where it was). I wear Permethrin treated clothing where I encounter mosquitoes regularly and it works VERY well....I treat the hat, the hoodies/shirts, the pants, the socks....I don't treat the sun gloves or undies.
 
Back when Ex Officio madel lBuzz Off gear, I picked up a bunch of seconds at a factory sale.
The stuff worked for a dozen or so washings, then needed a reboot.
The skeeters in Nicaragua were legendary, and of course Malaria was in the mix also, but only from one rather large type.
Kanektok skeeter didn't have any Malaria carriers, but they were insane...Deet...it works.

What sort of pussy ass skeeter fears something called 'Skin so Soft' anyways?
 
clarkman said:
Personally, I don't care for Deet because of the melting of all sorts of things. Also fortunately, it's not often that I've found myself in areas where it was required (there have been a couple of trips here and there where it was). I wear Permethrin treated clothing where I encounter mosquitoes regularly and it works VERY well....I treat the hat, the hoodies/shirts, the pants, the socks....I don't treat the sun gloves or undies.
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Undies? Skeeters have access? Remember it is the females that bite. :rolleyes:
 
Only DEET can slow down AlphaGal
 
Mossback said:
Back when Ex Officio madel lBuzz Off gear
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I got a lot of those fishing shirts too plus columbias and others untreated. Shirts of that era were roomy on my body. I minimize deet on my skin. I always wore a t-shirt under a deet sprayed fishing shirt and deet sprayed hat. I always felt the deet worked better than permethrin but I gets it's a YMMV on that one. I honestly did not find a new treated Ex-O shirt worked compared to an untreated columbia shirt. The value in the shirts was coverage and bagginess that prevented the skeeters from getting to your skin. Contrast those shirts with something like flats gear simms solarflex shirts you can easily get bit through those tight fitting shirts. So gear you wear makes a huge difference too.
 
skyriver said:
Mosquitos love me. At any outdoor event...if there are mosquitos present, I'll be the first to know.
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Me too. Between us everyone else should be ok. I did some VO2 testing when racing and have more lung capacity than most. I've heard they are drawn to your CO2 output.
I was always an REI Jungle Juice guy. Worked ok here in the Cascades, Wyoming no. Luckily in my area these days it's relatively pest free, haven't used protection in a couple decades now. In the evening by the big river I just cover up well.
 
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Tom Butler said:
Me too. Between us everyone else should be ok. I did some VO2 testing when racing and have more lung capacity than most. I've heard they are drawn to your CO2 output.
I was always an REI Jungle Juice guy. Worked ok here in the Cascades, Wyoming no. Luckily in my area these days it's relatively pest free, haven't used protection in a couple decades now. In the evening by the big river I just cover up well.
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I mean I ran cross country in high school and was decent at it but I don't know if my lungs are putting out more CO2 than anybody else. Mono my senior year ruined my love of running and I think it also might have decreased some lung capacity who knows. I just know that mosquitoes love me and I hate them with a passion. Give me DEET all day!
 
Question for the permethrin users: Does washing clothes in it affect the clothes in anyway that’s objectionable; ie odor, remove UV protection?
 
Sleep depravation is also a concern. No-one can sleep with a buzzing mosquito in their ear at night.
After a good rain, anchored out off San Clemente Island, non of the crew escaped the mosquitos keeping us up all night. They say the ones that buzz don't bite, but one tiny insect can keep a grown man awake all night long. A sleep deprived crew is often "uncomfortable".
 
Jim in Anacortes said:
Sleep depravation is also a concern. No-one can sleep with a buzzing mosquito in their ear at night.
After a good rain, anchored out off San Clemente Island, non of the crew escaped the mosquitos keeping us up all night. They say the ones that buzz don't bite, but one tiny insect can keep a grown man awake all night long. A sleep deprived crew is often "uncomfortable".
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I sleep like a baby! The key for me sleeping in rustic conditions or outside camping is to have a mosquito netting blanket about the size of a twin bed. I'll put my sleeping bag on part of it then pull some netting over the top of me. This keeps all critters away from me but lets breeze through just fine. I have fished fully covered in my bug suit insecticide free on many occasions when it's really bad out there. Often I'm the only guy left on the water as the skeeters or black flies drove everyone home.
 
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@Robert Engleheart,

Cant answer to the UV deterioration of Permethrin.

You have to dry the Permethrin completely, after spraying onto gear and fabric. For a time, maybe 1 or 2 washings, there is a smell but it is not unpleasant to me. Permethrin infused clothing is said to last 10 wash cycles. That is what I have found too.

Sawyer Spray on Permethrin is available at Walmart. You can also buy it at the feed store and mix it yourself which is what I do. Sawyer supplies our armed forces with the spray.

Dont treat your clothes around Cats or Dogs. Until it dries, Permethrin is deadly to them, if ingested.

I am sure that if you get your treated gear wet in a lake or river, it is toxic to fish, so keep that in mind. Wet wading in treated shorts for instance would be where that would come into play. Falling in with a treated shirt would be another scenario.

As mentioned before, since I started using the stuff, ( 10 plus years ), I have not had a Tick embed in me. Sleeping in my Treated Hammock, without using a bug net, I have not been bothered by Mosquitos.

Have a good Holiday all.

Bob
 
"Thermacell devices are highly effective, scent-free, and DEET-free tools for hunters. They use heat-activated mats to create a 15-foot dome of protection against mosquitoes, black flies, and no-see-ums."
Folks, these things work. Hunters, that have to remain perfectly still, use these. And Thermacell makes lots of products for picnics and patios.
 
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fatbillybob said:
I sleep like a baby! The key for me sleeping in rustic conditions or outside camping is to have a mosquito netting blanket about the size of a twin bed. I'll put my sleeping bag on part of it then pull some netting over the top of me. This keeps all critters away from me but lets breeze through just fine. I have fished fully covered in my bug suit insecticide free on many occasions when it's really bad out there. Often I'm the only guy left on the water as the skeeters or black flies drove everyone home.
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I keep a mesh bug net in the back pocket of my vest and put it on over my lucky hat when the bugs are really bad. It doesn't weigh anything or take up much space, highly recommend!
 
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Robert Engleheart said:
Question for the permethrin users: Does washing clothes in it affect the clothes in anyway that’s objectionable; ie odor, remove UV protection?
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I've been using it for years. I bought a gallon jug - more economical than the smaller bottles Sawyer sells. I spray my sun hoodies, and they still protect me from sun burn. After it's dry, I can't smell anything on the treated clothes.
 
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