[pct-l] Mosquito/bears

[Carl Siechert]

Key takeaways:

   - Do not immerse your child in DEET.
   - However, you may coat him or her in permethrin, and it should be good
   for 5 washings or several months.

Do I have that right?



On Fri, Jun 4, 2010 at 12:19 PM, Ken Murray <kmurray at pol.net> wrote:

> 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.
> ==================
>
> 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.
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