Where Do you Draw the Permethrin Line?

[Gooden123]

I'm in the process of treating all my gear with Permethrin for some upcoming bear backpack hunts in Idaho and wondering how far you go.

My base layers, hoody, pants, socks, boots (will respray before packing in), hats, backpack and borah bivy (exterior) are all done..

Should I treat gaiters, tipi (going floorless), down sleeping bag, down insulation?

Not trying to make a federal project out of this, but I've had lymes twice. Once really bad with a pick in my arm for some time. I know the importance of regular tick checks. Anyway, treating waterproof things seems overkill/useless and I'm not sure if chemically treating down is a good idea in general. Or necessary especially when everything else I'm wearing is treated.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I always do my gaiters. Floorless with bugs is a conundrum, not sure what to recommend there. Might consider taking a bottle in with you and spraying the ground

 

[Gooden123]

@ResearchinStuff

I considered bringing a small bottle can't imagine it being worth the weight. Think you'd need a good amount for it to do anything. And I have a borah bivy to keep my sleep system (and myself) contained. Only weighs 5 oz and packs to nothing.

 

[satchamo]

I do a bunch of turkey hunting. For that I do my boots , pants, shirt, leafy top, gaiters (if I wear them) and my vest. I don’t do gloves or anything on my head. This has worked well. I still have them slip under my pants from time to time but they are always dead even if attached and I usually get them quick.

When I take my kids for youth in blinds, I will spray the area with bifen which is a cheap distant cousin to permethrin that’s safe to use pretty much everywhere. It’s what people use to spray for mosquitos and such around the yard

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

I just spray my boots and gaiters before I leave the truck

 

[Poser]

I'd be super hesitant to out it in your baselayers or any clothes that will have direct skin contact.

 

[mt terry d]

I must have bought the wrong kind
Boy does this stuff stink!

 

[peterk123]

For spring turkey everything gets sprayed at least 24 hours prior to using the first time. I do not believe spraying at the truck and then wearing is considered proper or safe use. The stuff needs to be dry to be considered safe I believe. Check the instructions to be sure before you consider doing that.

 

[Gooden123]

I must have bought the wrong kind
Boy does this stuff stink!

Sawyers is what I use. I've tried mixing my own 19:1 from Gorden's livestock and it's got petroleum in it. Apparently Martin's brand is water based and doesn't stink.

I can't smell Sawyers at all and neither can whitetail or bears to my knowledge. Or more likely they just are unphased by it.

But just be aware that there's a distinct difference between permethrin concentrates. And Sawyers has picardin too which has a smell, but that's different all together.

 

[sshhh]

I'm in the process of treating all my gear with Permethrin for some upcoming bear backpack hunts in Idaho and wondering how far you go.

My base layers, hoody, pants, socks, boots (will respray before packing in), hats, backpack and borah bivy (exterior) are all done..

Should I treat gaiters, tipi (going floorless), down sleeping bag, down insulation?

Not trying to make a federal project out of this, but I've had lymes twice. Once really bad with a pick in my arm for some time. I know the importance of regular tick checks. Anyway, treating waterproof things seems overkill/useless and I'm not sure if chemically treating down is a good idea in general. Or necessary especially when everything else I'm wearing is treated.

You've had lyme disease twice? You got it once took antibiotics went away than got it again?

Never used permithin so can't help. Taking odourless garlic extract this season and haven't been bitten so far with being out every weekend. Take from that what you will natural and can't hurt. If I don't get bitten this year I will take it again next year, supposed to start taking 2 weeks before you plan on being around them so its built up in your system. The garlic extract though will not keep them off of you and your gear but it apparently makes them not want to bite.

 

[Gooden123]

@sshhh

The opposite actually. My knee swelled up, had the fluid drained and tested. Sure enough it was later stages of Lymes. That was the only symptom I had and when I had the pick. Thank God that doctor though to have that test done based on my lifestyle alone. Never even knew I had been bitten by a tick. This was around the time the vaccine (that didn't work anyway) was around but the doctor claimed you can't get Lymes twice. Also wrong.

Years later I was just flu - like sick. The doctor sent me for bloodwork. That was caught early enough and amoxycillin took care of it.

My hands are a little unsteady but not bad enough to really be noticeable or effect anything unless I take up painting art. No aftermath otherwise.

I'll absolutely try that! No reason not to. Thanks!

 

[Chris in TN]

I've used it since the 1990's and the SOP is to spray it on your clothes then LET THEM DRY before use. Socks and underwear are of primary importance to me. Then pants. Then shirt or jacket.

I've never used it in a floorless tent and the thought of sleeping on the ground like that would drive me nuts, so I don't know what to tell you there. It's bathtub floors for me if I want to halfway sleep any at all.

 

[Brewski]

I spray most of my clothing, backpack, and tent mesh. I wouldn't spray a down sleeping bag.
If you are very concerned I would consider the sitka guard pants, the internal leg gaiter works well.

 

[Hunter26]

I think you spray your bivy ahead of time and keep it closed other then when you are getting in and out. That is your ticket!

 

[KyleR1985]

Just bring 13% concentrate in a big enough squirt bottle to treat ground under shelter and perimeter if you’re going to carry it in and use a floor less. Then just filter or add water there and spray. It kills ticks on contactish.

 

[sshhh]

@sshhh

The opposite actually. My knee swelled up, had the fluid drained and tested. Sure enough it was later stages of Lymes. That was the only symptom I had and when I had the pick. Thank God that doctor though to have that test done based on my lifestyle alone. Never even knew I had been bitten by a tick. This was around the time the vaccine (that didn't work anyway) was around but the doctor claimed you can't get Lymes twice. Also wrong.

Years later I was just flu - like sick. The doctor sent me for bloodwork. That was caught early enough and amoxycillin took care of it.

My hands are a little unsteady but not bad enough to really be noticeable or effect anything unless I take up painting art. No aftermath otherwise.

I'll absolutely try that! No reason not to. Thanks!

Sh!t man thats rough! Atleast you just got the little bit of unsteadiness and nothing more could be worse for sure.

Yeah the odourless garlic extract pills are a cardiovascular supplement, not that I need it but its healthy and zero negatives too it so figured wth give it a try. That was one of the natural methods I came across so we'll see how it does over this and the next couple seasons not sure if its doing anything but haven't been bitten yet so it may actually be doing something.

Good luck and good luck on the hunt.

 

[beerbucksducks]

I must have bought the wrong kind
Boy does this stuff stink!

I just treated some work and turkey clothes 2 days ago for the first time. The 13.3% stuff diluted to .5%. It smells strong as hell when you mix it, but after it’s dry I can’t hardly smell it on the clothes. Not sure how it compares to the sawyers or martins products, but it really doesn’t smell strongly after drying.


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