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[at-l] ticks and skeeters

I was surfing the net this morning and found this.  It comes from Uncle
Sam.  He would not steer us wrong would he?   Plodder
The Department Of Defense Protection SystemThe Department of Defense
utilizes a two-component system in conjunction with the field uniform. 
The EPA approved components of this system include the insecticide
Permethrin (as supplied by "Coulston's) and the insect repellent  deet
(N, N-diethyl-m-tiluamide) in concentrations less than 33%.  Permethrin
is virtually non-toxic to humans and no systemic effects have been
reported.  In EPA and FDA tests, it was uncommon to have any skin
reddening, rash or other irritation.  Permethrin is applied to clothing
where it dries and bonds to the fiber.  This non-staining, odorless
chemical has exceptional resistance to degradation by sunlight (UV), heat
and water.  Permethrin as a repellent should not be applied to skin . . .
it does not bond (stick) to skin and is quickly deactivated by the skin's
esterase action into inactive compounds.  Because of these attributes
Permethrin offers no repellent benefit on skin.  It is only effective
when used as a clothing treatment.  Permethrin tests on mosquitoes
conducted by the US Military showed that when lighweight uniforms were
treated until moist (approximately 3 ounces) Permethrin alone gave 97.7%
protection from mosquitoes and 99.9% protection when used in combination
with deet (20% to 33% solution)Interesting note: During testing in the
Everglades, mosquitoes were also repelled because of the side stream
effect caused by many treated uniforms within the same general location. 
This required that the test site be moved to locate more
mosquitoes!Permethrin tests on ticks conducted in Massachusetts concluded
that 100% protection is provided against Deer ticks which is the primary
vector of Lyme disease.  The same outstanding results occurred when
testing the Western Black Legged tick, Lone Star tick, American Dog tick,
and Brown Dog tick.  Similar results were found with other tick species,
tick repellent and killing action of permethrin-treated uniforms was not
diminished by two detergent washings.   In tests, ticks that crossed only
10 inches of treated fabric fell from the uniform.  Most ticks died from
this limited exposure.
DEET (N-diethyl-m-tiluamide)  Deet is an approved repellent for skin
application.  Note: Exposure to high concentrations of deet can pose a
health hazard.  Concentrations of 33% or more have limited incremental
effect repelling insects.  (Example: if a 30% deet product offers
repellent action for four hours, some assume that a product with 60% deet
would last eight hours.  The 60% product will likely last about 5 hours).
 It is more effective to use lower concentrations.  Most brand name deet
based products already have a deet range from 18% to 33%.  Once the
threat of insect/tick bite is over, the repellent should be washed from
the skin.  Deet by itself tested between 85% to 89% effective against
ticks.  Deet does not kill ticks.  Ask your doctor or pharmacist about
deet products for children.
System application    Permethrin application should be done outdoors and
protected from wind.  Early morning or late afternoon are ideal times.  
The outside of a complete outfit shirt or jacket, pants and socks must be
treated until moist.  This will require about 3 oz.  Shake container
thoroughly before and occasionally during application.  Hold can upright
6 to 8 inches from the fabric and spray with a slow sweeping motion until
moist.  Turn garment over and repeat the process.  Hang the treated
clothing and allow to dry.  This outfit will now have two weeks of
residual protection.  These garments can be detergent washed two times
without diminishing the repellent effect.  Deet application should follow
label instruction for proper skin application.  Note: Non-deet products
are not part of the DOD system.  They show very little actual repellent
effect and are not recommended.
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