[pct-l] insects!

[msaenz at mve-architects.com (Mike Saenz)]

Kelly,
I imagine the problem with your repellent is the concentration. 20% DEET wouldn't intimidate some of the bugs you'll encounter for very long.
I use Jungle Juice (95%). But I use it sparingly. IMHO, DEET is about as toxic to humans as it is to bugs....it'll just take more and longer to kill you.
If I can outrun the critters, I'll do that before I spread some of this stuff on me.

I always keep my zip-off pant legs in my pockets, a long sleeve shirt on and a bug net in my pack. Worse comes to worse, I can even slip on my gloves to put a barrier between me and most bugs (though a few mosquitoes with exceptionally long proboscis have drilled through before).

It only took one time out during the summer unprepared (no legs, gloves, and most tragic: no DEET) to teach me that it's war out there against the bugs!
I was so chewed up that I was itching for two weeks straight and I still have a few faint scars on my legs, two years later.

I heard about the pre-wash-in clothes repellents, but the above advise works fine. Especially if you're just trying to filter water for a few minutes amid a cloud of bugs.

M i c h a e l   S a e n z
McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners, Inc.
A r c h i t e c t u r e    P l a n n i n g    I n t e r i o r s
w  w  w  .  m  v  e  -  a  r  c  h  i  t  e  c  t  s  .  c  o  m

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	Kelly Kinneen [mailto:sparklequeenk@yahoo.com] 
Sent:	Wednesday, March 31, 2004 10:18 AM
To:	pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject:	[pct-l] insects!

Hi everyone -
 
I feel like I'm opening pandora's box, but let's talk insects. Last summer, my worst, worst hiking day came on a four-foot-high Sierra stream crossing while being nibbled alive by little black flies. I was using Deet-based lotion (around 20%), and while it would keep the bugs away for, oh, about 10 minutes, no sooner did I sweat than I needed to replace it.
 
This summer, I'm heading to the LT in Vermont in late June, and I've heard the mosquitos (or is it no-see-ums?) can make for some pretty miserable days. Of course we'll try to cover up as much as we can, and maybe invest in those hats with the netting attached...what do you folks suggest? 
 
My local REI outfitter suggests again a Deet-based lotion as well as Permethrin to wash my clothes in pre-hike. I've never heard of it, but this salesguy was practically writhing in excitement about it. 
 
Please, can folks share some thoughts for my insect enlightenment?
 
thanks!
Detour




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