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. You still are somewhat exposed to DEET, but you don't have to slather it repeatedly onto your skin. I got mine after a 3 week canoe trip to Ontario wherein 4 members of the trip had them along and the other 4 of us each bought one as soon as we got home because we saw how well they worked. BTW, Sylvio, my recollection of using citronella (when I was a Boy Scout) is that it also repels people. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Larry, I always understood that 'Deets' disolves plastic and therefore wondering about your recommendation to pour 'Deets' into a plastic bag? Curious if anyone else has such understanding. Best Regards, Philip 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. You still are somewhat > exposed to DEET, but you don't have to slather it repeatedly onto your > skin. > > I got mine after a 3 week canoe trip to Ontario wherein 4 members of the > trip had them along and the other 4 of us each bought one as soon as we > got home because we saw how well they worked. > > BTW, Sylvio, my recollection of using citronella (when I was a Boy > Scout) is that it also repels people. > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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/ ***************************************************************************
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/ ***************************************************************************
Philip Wylie wrote: <I always understood that 'Deets' disolves plastic and therefore wondering about your recommendation to pour 'Deets' into a plastic bag?> Dave Kruger wrote: <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.> Right on. I have found that DEET can affect nylon (and the finish on paddles, among other things), but does not seem to affect ziplock bags. I have also found that the DEET does indeed migrate through the plastic bag, so I now store the bag containing the jacket in my utility room with the plastic bag clipped to a coat hanger. When I go on a trip, I put the bagged jacket into a brand new gallon-sized ziplock bag and transport it double-bagged in the pack until I need it. Also, depending on how often you use it, if you keep it stored in the plastic bag, it may last a couple seasons before you have to "rejuice" it. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
DEET disolves nylon, rayon, acetate...and some paints, but poly bags seem impervious. If you have DEET on your hands be careful not to touch your tent fabric...and be extra extra careful not to spill or spray any inside a tent -jspeer, sunny Brooklyn -----Original Message----- From: Philip Wylie [SMTP:pjwylie_at_planet.eon.net] Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 1998 10:45 AM To: Larry Snow Cc: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Bug Repellents Larry, I always understood that 'Deets' disolves plastic and therefore wondering about your recommendation to pour 'Deets' into a plastic bag? Curious if anyone else has such understanding. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
DEET will literally *melt* latex <as in wrist and neck seals> We wash up real good before dawning drytops or suits! Steve Scherrer President ACKS Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe 250 NE Tomahawk Island Dr. Portland, Oregon 97217 Web: http://www.aldercreek.com Email: aldercreek_at_aldercreek.com Phone: 503-285-0464 Fax: 503-285-0106 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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