Permethrin as a insect repellent.

[GPSGuided]

Always a little concerned with chemicals coming into contact with skin over extended areas. Below is what Wiki has on the impurities contained in these solutions.

Pharmaceutical grade permethrin 99% is differentiated from pesticide grade 94% by a higher purity, well specified impurities, and lower content of the toxic CIS component at 25% as opposed to 40% in the pesticide grade. Pharmaceutical grade permethrin is used extensively by agencies working in forest areas such as the US Army.

So, if its to be used on direct contact clothing, those industrial products should only be careful considered.

[photohiker]

Always a little concerned with chemicals coming into contact with skin over extended areas. Below is what Wiki has on the impurities contained in these solutions.

Pharmaceutical grade permethrin 99% is differentiated from pesticide grade 94% by a higher purity, well specified impurities, and lower content of the toxic CIS component at 25% as opposed to 40% in the pesticide grade. Pharmaceutical grade permethrin is used extensively by agencies working in forest areas such as the US Army.

So, if its to be used on direct contact clothing, those industrial products should only be careful considered.

I would point out that the CIS component of the referenced Chemspray is 25%, not 40%.

Prolonged contact with any pesticide is a less than ideal situation, as is prolonged contact with pests themselves, especially those suspected of carrying bothersome diseases (Lyme in ticks).

I bought some of the permethrin clothing treatment from Paddy's before heading off to Scotland and treated my baselayers. Didn't see a single tick but others had plenty of tick bites. It might have been the permethrin, or maybe I just didn't walk/camp anywhere the ticks were. Will never know...

[ULWalkingPhil]

Went to Bunning's today and purchased the Chemspray that was mentioned here. As per directions on packaging I mixed up a one litre solution and sprayed my shirt and long trousers that I plan on wearing at Fraser Island this coming weekend, which includes some kayaking up the creeks on the western side of the island, I shall report back how effective it is. .

[nq111]

Good work - same stuff i use. It works.

One thing, i understand (sure I read some army research or something once?) that it works better as a soak than a spray.

The best way is get a heavy duty plastic bag (like a dog body bag) and put the mix and the clothes in there and massage it into all of the fabric and then let it soak for 5 minutes. It apparently bonds chemically to the fabric and hence why it remains after 30+ washes.

[ULWalkingPhil]

It appears to have worked, I went for a walk in mangrove sand fly infested waters and did not receive a bite. The chemspray mixing instructions might be a bit strong. Next time I will mix it half strength. My clothing that I treated has a very strong insecticide smell. I put the clothes in the wash and it still has a strong smell.