So I found a few instructions on using concentrated permethrin mixed down to the .5% concentration.

As that is the same concentration as the store sprays, is it safe to assume that application with a spray bottle on a hammock will work just fine? As opposed to soaking it in the solution as I've read in some places.

Yes, the Sawyer premixed solution is .5%.

That's the way I do it. I use a pump sprayer and get everything pretty wet.

I do all of my clothes just using one of those little pump spray bottles like something like Windex would come in. I just spray till clothes are pretty well saturated while they are hanging over a line.

I use the Bonide Bed bug killer on my hammock, clothes, and hat. I kind of do a combination of spray and soak. I actually string my hammock up and spray it down, but while it is still dripping wet with the permethrin I suff it in a garbage bag. I follow doing the same for all my other gear that gets treated and let it stew in the left over fluid for a an hour or two. I then pull everything out of the bag and let it hang to dry. I was told by a guy that the permethrin can run off the clothing especially fabrics that resist water. All of my gear and clothes are nylon or some man made blend that don't like to absorb the spray. I figure it is best to make sure the treated items are fully soaked up with as much permethrin as thet can hold.

I tried the full soaking method once using the concentrate and it worked but was a real mess when I got done. Add that to the fact that you waste all the left over solution, I like the spray method. Like others have said if you mix your own just repurpose an old spray bottle or buy one at any garden store.

Just my $.02

Dammfast

I don't have much experience with Permethrin, other than buying the expensive aerosol can and spraying my pants occasionally. After reading the comments from you all, I realize I am obviously not putting enough on....and I'm paying way too much by not mixing it myself. So after you treat your clothes, get them good and soaked, then let them dry....do you wear them as is, or run them through the washer first? Do you treat your clothes about once per season, or more often?

quote eyepaddle: "So after you treat your clothes, get them good and soaked, then let them dry....do you wear them as is, or run them through the washer first? Do you treat your clothes about once per season, or more often? "

Whether or not you wash your treated clothing is a function of whether or not you are sensitive to permethrin. Some people develop a slight red rash where clothing comes in direct contact with your skin. This will be more pronounced where you've perspired. However, not all people are sensitive.

According to Sawyers, the treatment is supposed to last for up to six washings or 6 weeks. Thus, the more you wash your clothing the more likely you will need to re-treat. If your canoe trips span more than a 6 week window, you'd also likely need to re-treat.

That said, I still see some residual effects of treatment after 6 washings and 6 weeks ... but freshly treated clothing can be almost like you are wearing a bubble on mosquitoes and ticks will walk around your clothing for a few seconds then drop off.

You would probably think of treating clothing like socks (especially for camp), but I don't make a trip without a treated bandana. I find a bandana especially useful draped around my neck at camp and on portages.

dd

quote eyepaddle: "I don't have much experience with Permethrin, other than buying the expensive aerosol can and spraying my pants occasionally. After reading the comments from you all, I realize I am obviously not putting enough on....and I'm paying way too much by not mixing it myself. So after you treat your clothes, get them good and soaked, then let them dry....do you wear them as is, or run them through the washer first? Do you treat your clothes about once per season, or more often? "

I just wear them with out washing after spraying them with permethrin. I treat my clothes about 2-3 times a season as I'm using them a lot and they are getting washed a lot.

quote OldFingers57: "

quote eyepaddle: "I don't have much experience with Permethrin, other than buying the expensive aerosol can and spraying my pants occasionally. After reading the comments from you all, I realize I am obviously not putting enough on....and I'm paying way too much by not mixing it myself. So after you treat your clothes, get them good and soaked, then let them dry....do you wear them as is, or run them through the washer first? Do you treat your clothes about once per season, or more often? "

I just wear them with out washing after spraying them with permethrin. I treat my clothes about 2-3 times a season as I'm using them a lot and they are getting washed a lot. "

+1

quote Dammfast: "...I kind of do a combination of spray and soak. I actually string my hammock up and spray it down, but while it is still dripping wet with the permethrin I suff it in a garbage bag. I follow doing the same for all my other gear that gets treated and let it stew in the left over fluid for a an hour or two. I then pull everything out of the bag and let it hang to dry. ... "

I like this garbage bag idea! I had read somewhere (maybe here) that people were laying their clothes down on plastic sheeting until they were only damp to stop the run off. I think they may have been flipping over once while still pretty wet also.

quote Dammfast: "I tried the full soaking method once using the concentrate and it worked but was a real mess when I got done. Add that to the fact that you waste all the left over solution, I like the spray method. ..."

I also read someone loaded the leftover into a sprayer and applied it to their foundation as a repellant. Supposedly as long as it doesnt rain at all before it drys on it doesnt affect anything.

I am thinking about maybe doing my stuff for the 1st time monday so this is good to know.

Spray the inside of your tent with the leftover. Never worry about bugs in the tend again.

quote goaljohnbill: "

quote Dammfast: "...I kind of do a combination of spray and soak. I actually string my hammock up and spray it down, but while it is still dripping wet with the permethrin I suff it in a garbage bag. I follow doing the same for all my other gear that gets treated and let it stew in the left over fluid for a an hour or two. I then pull everything out of the bag and let it hang to dry. ... "

I like this garbage bag idea! I had read somewhere (maybe here) that people were laying their clothes down on plastic sheeting until they were only damp to stop the run off. I think they may have been flipping over once while still pretty wet also.

quote Dammfast: "I tried the full soaking method once using the concentrate and it worked but was a real mess when I got done. Add that to the fact that you waste all the left over solution, I like the spray method. ..."

I also read someone loaded the leftover into a sprayer and applied it to their foundation as a repellant. Supposedly as long as it doesnt rain at all before it drys on it doesnt affect anything.


I am thinking about maybe doing my stuff for the 1st time monday so this is good to know."

Go ahead and spray it on your foundation of your house. It is after all an insecticide and used in commercially available insect sprays. You could also do your yard with it to get rid of ticks.

quote OldFingers57: "


Go ahead and spray it on your foundation of your house. It is after all an insecticide and used in commercially available insect sprays. You could also do your yard with it to get rid of ticks. "

You do want to keep it from being washed into your storm sewers though correct?

quote CanoeKev: "Spray the inside of your tent with the leftover. Never worry about bugs in the tend again."

I was going to mix some for the tent... using the leftover for it is a great idea also.

Keep your cats (if you have any that you want to keep) away until the stuff dries.

Keep it out of sewers because it is toxic to fish.

Pete

I am a DIY permethrin mixer.

I mix up a batch from a higher concentrate and then use old spray bottles to spray my clothing items. I also put the wet items into a plastic bin lined with a garbage bag to stew overnight so that they get good and soaked all over before I hang them up to dry. I do all of our clothing this way and generally only treat them once in the Spring. We don't wear or wash these clothes much over the summer except for trips and I haven't noticed an issue with them loosing potency over the season.

I have never had an issue with permethrin sensitivity before but I did develop a pretty itchy rash on my feet on the solo trip I just returned from. I can't decide whether it was the permethrin on my socks or that fact that those socks were inside the neoprene socks of my Chota Hippies that was the issue... so either it was heat rash or a sensitivity or both.

I have never had issues in the past with my treated clothing so I am leaning towards it being a heat rash.

I soak. I mix up the "farm stuff", let it soak a couple hours and then hang on the line to dry. I do use disposable gloves to wring everything out before I put it on the line.

After the items are dry, clothes go into a black garbage bag until its time to go.

Tarps, tent, hammock just go in their stuff bad.