[pct-l] Mosquito/bears

[Ken Murray]

Reports from Whitney Portal Store is that the bugs are out in full force, and they expect this to spread upslope rather quickly.    I've included a short primer on mosquito control.

They also report that they have three bears in the area, which showed up a week after the road opened and people were present (with food).  Guard your food carefully.
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Mosquito control for severe conditions 


Encountering and suffering from mosquitos seems to be part of the Sierra experience, especially in early summer. Severe conditions can range from the annoying, to producing actual danger from skin infections resulting either from the bites themselves, or from secondary scratching. Under the worst conditions, people can experience thousands of bites, and the incessant buzzing can make grown people cry. 

Each year, those highly experienced on the trails encounter numerous people who are learning, the hard way, that many things touted for mosquito control do not work for most people. 

Comparison of various repellents: 
http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/IPM/Landscape/F2/InsectRepellents.htm 

Beyond any question or debate, DEET (N,N-Diethyltoluamide) is the best product available to place on the skin that consistantly works well. Frequently heard is concern that DEET may be a toxic chemical, but this is far from true. DEET is one of the most-used chemicals in the world, and it has been among the most-tested chemicals that exists. WHEN USED AS DIRECTED, it is very safe. The very rare situations in which side effects have occurred, it has been when the directions were NOT followed, such as immersing a child in it. Picardin and Oil of Eucalyptis are other options, although they are not as strong, don't last as long, and are not studied anywhere near as much.

A newer product for mosquito protection, is permethrin, a product that has been used for the treatment of lice for decades. In it's mosquito usage, it is applied ONLY to clothing and allowed to dry. It works best when the material is saturated. Unlike DEET, which is only a repellent and does no harm to the insect, permethrin BOTH repells mosquitos and also kills them!! It will remain active through at least 5 washings, or several months. There have been virtually no reactions reported worldwide after decades of use. Ths standard use for lice is to coat a child in permethrin, at ten times the clothing dose, for 8 hours.  This is so safe, it is over the counter treatment.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the World Health Organization both recommend the use of BOTH permethrin and DEET for maximal protection, especially in regions where mosquito disease transmission exists. 

Those who have used the combination in bad mosquito areas find the combination remarkable at keeping the bugs at bay. Additionally, the permethrin eliminates biting through treated clothing. 

For those who are afflicted by these insects, this represents a major step forward.