Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Permethrin treated tents
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CanoeKev |
Anyway, about 3 years ago I started spraying our tents with permethrin. Initially I sprayed only the interior of the tents. We noticed that it totally eliminated the need for mosquito coils in the tent, and within a few minutes, any bugs that got into the tent were quickly incapacitated, and shortly thereafter, dead. Permethrin (called Permanone in the spray cans) is both an insect repellant and an insecticide, often used for termite control. During our July BW trip this year I noticed that the bugs generally avoided our tents, and I found that my buddy had sprayed not only the inside, but the outside and the fly. The effect was amazing. In the far north last week my permethrin treated tent was essentially bug free, and the other tents had the problems you would expect. Whatever bugs got into my tent were soon dead on the floor. The only negative was the need to shake out the dead blackflies from the tent every morning. One night I even inadvertently slept with about two feet of the door zipper open with no problems! Not a single in-tent bug bite for the trip. Because of the expense of the spray cans, a few years ago we began using the concentrated agricultural product (36%) which we dilute down to .05%. You can buy it at most Co-Op stores - get the 36% not the 10% product. We use it both for soaking our clothes and spraying the tents. A quart will make about 20 gal of solution, so it lasts for many years. Some people on another board have raised safety concerns about the use of permethrin. I will simply say that I researched this topic fairly thoroughly before I began using it. As a physician I am sensitive to these issues. Permethrin does have toxicity to fish, and there are reports that cats are very sensitive -- despite this, permethrin is commonly used as a flea treatmtnet for both dogs and cats. It is also used on chickens and poultry. It is used as an insecticide on cattle and livestock, and has even been used as a treatment for human lice. There is no credible evidence that it is toxic to humans, nor is there actual evidence that it is a carcinogen. In liquid form it can cause skin irritation, but this is not an issue once the product has dried. I would suggest that you not pour the concentrated product on your skin. It is the same chemical used in "Buz-Off" clothing. I am personally convinced that it is quite safe. Those of you who hate bugs should try it. |
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rlhedlund |
I had two. My clothes were treated. And one of those ticks was on a shirt not treated with permethrin. I still have health concerns seeing as PCB's used to be touted as safe and risk-free before we learned more about them. And DDT, and asbestos, and... and... and.... |
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CanoeKev |
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rlhedlund |
I also (without thinking) went in for a swim this spring with all my treated clothes on. Just was not thinking. Next day and for three days after, I had to urinate frequently (every one to two hours). Gave me pause to think. Could not find urination as a symptom of exposure/poisoning online. Could have been due to all the ibuprofin I was taking for paddling and portaging??? It's tough getting old. |
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Bluewater179 |
That said, it is used by many municipalities to control mosquitoes who are no doubt spraying ponds and creeks--and it's no wonder that there are no fish in some of these bodies. It is also used by just about every soldier operating in the field in Iraq and Afghanistan. Like most chemicals, it is a game of trade-offs; the benefits do not come without their hazards. Permethrin may have low human toxicity, but the same can't be said for fish. The advantage of using a prepared spray is that there is little to no excess or waste to deal with. This is Bayer's (a permethrin manufacturer) hazard statement and instructions for disposal off their Permanone 3166 MSDS (material safety data sheet). Permanone MSDS Environmental Hazards This pesticide is [b]extremely toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Runoff from treated areas or deposition of spray droplets into a body of water may be hazardous to fish and aquatic invertebrates.[/b] Do not apply over bodies of water (lakes, rivers, permanent streams, natural ponds, commercial fish ponds, swamps, marshes or estuaries), except when necessary to target areas where adult mosquitoes are present, and weather conditions will facilitate movement of applied material away from the water in order to minimize incidental deposition into the water body. Do not contaminate water when disposing of equipment wash waters. This pesticide is highly toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment on blooming crops or weeds. Do not apply this product or allow drift when bees are actively visiting the treatment area, except when applications are made to prevent or control a threat to public and/or animal health determined by a state, tribal or local health or vector control agency on the basis of documented evidence of disease causing agents in vector mosquitoes, or the occurrence of mosquito-borne disease in animal or human populations, or if specifically approved by the state or tribe during a natural disaster recovery effort. Applications should be timed to provide the maximum possible interval between treatment and the next period of bee activity. Do not contaminate water, food or feed by storage or disposal. PESTICIDE STORAGE AND SPILL PROCEDURES: Store upright at room temperature. Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures. In case of spill or leakage, soak up with an absorbent material such as sand, sawdust, earth, fuller’s earth, etc. Dispose of with chemical waste. Pesticide Disposal: Wastes resulting from the use of this product may be disposed of on site or at an approved waste disposal facility. CONTAINER DISPOSAL: Metal Containers - Triple rinse or equivalent. Then offer for recycling or reconditioning, or puncture and dispose of in a sanitary landfill, or by other procedures approved by State and local authorities. Plastic Containers - Triple rinse or equivalent. Then offer for recycling or reconditioning, or puncture and dispose of in a sanitary landfill, or by incineration, or if allowed by state and local authorities, by burning. If burned stay out of smoke. Then dispose of in a sanitary landfill or by other approved state and local procedures. CONTAINER DISPOSAL FOR RETURNABLE CONTAINERS: Replace the dry disconnect cap if applicable, and seal all openings which have been opened during use. Return empty container to a collection site designated by Bayer Environmental Science. If container has been damaged and cannot be returned according to the recommended procedures, contact Bayer Environmental Science Customer Service Center at 800-843-1702. RETURNABLE/REFILLABLE SEALED CONTAINER: Do not rinse container. Do not empty remaining formulated product. Do not break seals. Return intact to point of purchase. |
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kennk |
Is the mesh not keeping some really tiny bitting critters out? To date I've not had a problem with critters getting through my tent's mesh, though some sometimes sneak in while I'm entering & exiting. Usually that's not a big deal. I'd be cautious about spraying chemicals on the waterproofing layer without KNOWING what that will do to it over the long run. You might contact the manufacturer and ask them before you start spraying. Personally I wouldn't want to sleep in the fumes. |
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CanoeKev |
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whiteh20 |
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overthehill |
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CanoeKev |
As for disposing of the excess, you can spray it on the lawn -- works good on chiggers and termites. Or, you can do what I do, which is to put it in a container and use it next time I need it. |
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Bluewater179 |
I don't see the active ingredient in these sprays having any great effect on the waterproofing especially if the permethrin is applied from a waterbased solution. Just be sure to let the fly dry completely before you use it. Same for the aerosol sprays which may have more solvent in them. |