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My unscientific Mosquito Repellent Test
While pruning some bushes in my backyard today (a humid morning in Florida), I was immediately swarmed by mosquitoes. Three of the little blood suckers landed on my legs in less than a minute.
After applying Picaridin lotion (20% solution by Sawyer), not a single mosquito landed the rest of the morning. I watched them hover then depart.
I applied it to my legs, arms, neck and ears. No odor, no greasiness and it dried quickly.
As some on this forum have advised, I will be treating my clothing with Picaridin spray a couple of weeks prior to packing up.
We depart in just 37 days!
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Tripple Time. You want to put Premethrin spray on your clothing, not Picaridin. You must use the spray with caution as it is poisonous when wet. So you hang your clothing in a well ventilated area, preferably outside and you wear a mask. Spray your clothing all over and then it is safe when dry. The clothing can be washed many times and is still effective.
British: My mistake. The spray bottles I have are in fact Premethrin. I will take your precautions seriously.
British - do you have a specific Permethrin product you use? I'm looking on Amazon and it says it lasts 6 weeks or 6 washings and this is Sawyer. Thanks!!
Will be using this for our September trip.
They have a very helpful website.
Thanks! This is the one I was looking at. I'm going on the Spotlight in South Africa trip next month and I'm thinking I only have to apply this to the safari cloths for that portion of the trip. At least I hope that's correct!
Enjoy your trip!
Sawyer. You need a lot of spray.
You can actually buy clothing and gear that's already treated with bug repellent. Brands like Insect Shield ( also available at Tauck's necessaryGear) and L.L.Bean (their No Fly Zone line) make them. They're claimed to last through 70 washes.
We have used the Permethrin spay on clothes for many trips! I will say, maybe it worked!! We have had very little problem with mosquitos in Africa, Amazon, South America, Costa Rica and other places - I guess very lucky but it is worth using to make sure you have no problem!
Hi Trippletime. Thanks for the post. So did you actually use Picaridin on your skin? I understand that Premithrin is for clothing and will head British’s warnings about application.
Ellen26,
Yes I applied it as if it were suntan lotion. We're taking three 3 OZ bottles in our carry-on and one 4 OZ in a check suitcase.
As I recall, you and I will miss each other by just a few days. Enjoy your trip.
If I recall correctly, Picardin has been discussed as an alternative to DEET for skin application, but clothing still needs to be treated with Permethrin.
good idea to do it before we leave
You can’t do this sort of spraying while in Africa, it’s just not practical. To be properly effective you virtually have to soak the clothing with the spray snd let it dry thoroughly outside, otherwise it is toxic. Note AlanS in a mask, it is not a joke photo
Deet can damage quite a few things if not careful and not what you would think of like your smart watch strap plus clothing. One good reason to use Picaridin.
I was a bit nervous about spraying the clothes and Alan's pic doesn't help w/that! UGH. Question - do I need to also spray the fleece jacket, too, or is it more the pants, shirts and socks that need it? OH and the hat I plan on spraying as well.
Thanks!
Check this out: https://www.sawyer.com/product/permethrin-fabric-treatment-insect-repellent-24-oz-trigger-spray
Includes video instructions.
It was a bit breezy and I already had a VOC mask for spraying finish on my woodworking projects, so I used the mask when I sprayed our safari clothes with permethrin. A paper or cloth (covid) mask should work fine. You can't tell from the photo, but I only sprayed the collars and sleeves of our shirts, and the cuffs of our pants.
Thanks AlanS. Very helpful picture. Can we assume that spraying only the collars, sleeves and cuffs worked for you?
Yes- all points of entry. Mosquitos don't bit through cloth (not so with tsetse flies!) so no need to treat any other areas. If you did it would take a significant amount as the instructions say to wet out the area. We treated exposed skin with one of the other products designed for that. (note, I just discovered this post lingering in the 'drafts'
)
If I may, any thoughts about how much to bring? I am planning to use OFF Clean Feel Insect Repellent Aerosol with 20% Picaridin. Would two 7.5 oz cans plus a 2.5 oz. can be enough for 2 adults? We will pre-spray clothing with Permethrin. Thanks.
You can get individually wipes or lotions too. Do not use the spray in an enclosed area with other people or near food. Do not spray directly on your face, apply to hands and put onto face avoiding eyes, wash hands well afterwards..