Re: [Paddlewise] Bug Repellents

Thankyou Dave,

I am not suprised to be correctly advised by you on this topic.
I figured you to be the man that would know. Chalk another
one up for me, I learned something new again. Great stuff
Dave and most appreciated. This leaves me with abundant
appreciation for the manifold contributions Paddlewise
offers  which are so helpful to subscribers.

Many thanks,

Philip



Dave Kruger wrote:

> Philip Wylie wrote:
>
> > I always understood that 'Deet' dissolves plastic and therefore wondering
> > about your recommendation to pour 'Deet' into a plastic bag?
> >
> > Curious if anyone else has such understanding.
>
> > Larry Snow wrote:
> >
> > > If you don't like putting DEET directly on your skin, one option is to
> > > use a bug jacket such as a Shoo Bug.  They are OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive,
> > > but they work.  They are an open mesh jacket with a hood which you store
> > > in a plastic zip-lock bag when not in use.  You empty a whole bottle of
> > > DEET into the bag (I use 75% DEET from the surplus store and save $3
> > > over the cost of a bottle of 100% stuff) and let it thoroughly soak into
> > > the mesh.  Then you just wear the jacket.
>
> My experience is that DEET attacks plastics such as nylon, phenolics,
> etc., which are not strictly carbon-hydrogen in composition, but has
> relatively little effect on polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.  (It nails
> latex, however, which is supposedly strictly C and H only, so I could be
> off-base here.)
>
> In addition, it DOES "migrate" THROUGH thin polyethylene bags at a slow
> rate, so I would be careful where I stored the bagged jacket.
>
> Reminds me of a time my klutzy (but loveable) brother spilled Coleman
> fuel inside a backpack loaded with our polyethylene-bagged-food (for a
> week-long trip).  Gawd!  Could not eat a speck of it.  Even a mouthful
> of contaminated granola gave us the most disgusting "vapors" on
> belching!  Memorable experience.
>
> --
> Dave Kruger
> Astoria, OR
> sea kayaker / chemist



***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************