[pct-l] Mosquito/bears

[Melanie Clarke]

Dear Carl,

Maybe some people shouldn't be parents (-:  Just teasing you!  I'm laughing
here behind my computer.  Please, don't anyone take this the wrong way!

Dear Ken,

*This is great information!!!!  I always had trouble with mosquitoes biting
through the clothes!!  I am going to try this!!!!*

Melanie

On Fri, Jun 4, 2010 at 4:58 PM, Carl Siechert <carlito at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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