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Conference wahoo::fishing

Title:Fishing Notes- Archived
Notice:See note 555.1 for a keyword directory of this conference
Moderator:DONMAC::MACINTYRE
Created:Fri Feb 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Sep 20 1991
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1660
Total number of notes:20970

1393.0. "Bug Spray Damage" by USRCV1::RECUPAROR () Wed Apr 25 1990 15:10

    Last summer on a warm evening I was out on the lake relaxing when I was
    attacked by the "Bugs".  Luckly I had a can of Off (or some kind of bug
    repelent) and decided to spray it on me and and the boat thinking it
    would keep the bugs away.  Well it didn't work so we called it an
    evening.  I thought everything was fine the next morning until I saw my
    boat!!  Everything made of plastic was spotted from the bug spray.  That 
    is the depht finder the plastic doors to the cutty and the side
    curtains to name a few.  Does anybody have a cure for this.
    
    Going buggy with bug spray
    
    Rick R.
     
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1393.1ASABET::VARLEYWed Apr 25 1990 16:114
     Try isopropyl alcohol, it works great on pine pitch so it should do
    the trick.
    
    --The Skoal Bandit
1393.2Beware of DEETNCBDFS::HOUSERWed Apr 25 1990 18:5217
    
    
       If it's just bug "repellent" the Bandit's idea will work.  But the 
    new formulas containing DEET are a little more tricky.  It seems DEET
    is a plasticizer, it melts plastic.  There is a real good article in
    the May issue of Sports Afield about bug sprays.  It talks about DEET
    as well as a new ingrediant called permamone, a tick "killer".  It also
    has a list of most of the bug spray companies products with the % of 
    DEET each contains.  Apparently the higher the % of DEET doesn't mean 
    more protection, just longer protection.  If there is any interest
    I could put the highlights of the article in this notes file so
    everyone won't have to buy a copy of the mag.
    
    
    Bear
    
    
1393.3Here's one vote...ROLL::ADAVISThu Apr 26 1990 06:107
    
      RE: .2
    
      I sure would appreciate it if you were able to post the article.
    
      Al
    
1393.4GRAMPS::GSMITHThu Apr 26 1990 13:405
    I gave up on bug sprays a few years ago because when you spray it goes 
    all over the place, as you found out.  I use the stick dispensers now.
    I can put the repellant were I want and not were I don't want...  
    
    Greg 
1393.5TOMCAT::PRESTONA cat... in the rat race of lifeThu Apr 26 1990 15:4710
    The reason that you got the spotting on the plastic things is because
    the bug spray literally melts plastic. A few years ago I got some on my
    digital watch and the plastic crystal got "de-glossed" as a result - it
    melted a little. There's nothing that will clean it off. It's like
    putting plastic worms in the wrong kind of tackle box - they melt the
    plastic.
    
    The best you can do when it happens is clean the bug spray off as soon 
    as possible, because it just kind of sits there making the plastic 
    gummy, and make sure you don't get *more* bug spray on it.
1393.6FURTHR::HANNANBeyond description...Thu Apr 26 1990 17:118
	You also have to be careful of the telephone and bug juice.
	When you're doing work around the yard and you've got bug juice
	on your ears, take care when answering the phone!  I almost ruined
	a nice cordless in early summer this way.

	It still works fine, but it's looks like hell on the ear part.

	Ken
1393.7here it is CARP::HOUSERFri Apr 27 1990 12:0066
    
    
       All of us being sportpeople, and spending alot of time outdoors,
    the threat of bugs, as well as the diseases some of them carry, should 
    make all of us more careful.  Here is the highlights from the article.
    
    
    
       According to the article, N,N-diethylmeta or DEET is the most
    effective repellent currently available.
       In a military test one group of volunteers used no repellent,
    another a 35% deet formula on their exposed skin, and a third used
    the deet on their skin plus permethrin ( a bug killer ), on their
    clothes.  Results...  no repellent received 1188 bites/hr
                          deet on skin received    4 bites/hr
                          deet+permethrin          1 bite/hr
    
       Another finding was that after a certain percentage, around 30%,
    the more deet the longer the protection, not more protection.  A
    deet formula of 35 - 50% can keep bugs away as long as 5-6 hrs.
    Where as 100% deet lasts as long as 10 hrs.  To guard against ticks,
    a 30% deet is minimum.
       But the article warns of running out and buying 100% deet to get
    long protection.  Deet is a plasticizer, it melts plastic.  It is also
    absorbed by the skin at an incredible rate.
       6 hrs. after applying deet, 50% has been absorbed.  10 - 15% will
    show up in urine samples, and it lingers in fatty tissue for as long as
    2 months.  Some severe reactions have been reported, especially among
    children.  Deet can kill if swallowed in significant amounts.
       The best thing is to use the lowest concentration of deet that is
    still effective, and use it sparingly.
       The bug killer permethrin was tested and found to be very effective
    against ticks, mosquitoes, and chiggers.  Lyme disease experts
    recommend using permethrin on clothing and deet on exposed skin. 
    Putting the permethrin on pant legs, socks, and boot tops where alot of
    bugs enter.  Permethrin has shown no adverse effects to humans but
    should be applied only to clothing.  A .5% concentration of permethrin
    should give about 48 hours of protection.
       The makers of Ben's 100 repellent introduced an all natural product
    called Natrapel.  Doesn't last as long as deet but may be a good
    alternative for kids and sensitive skin.  
       Another thing to point out is that you should read the label before
    buying.  For example, Ben's 100 in a squeeze bottle contains 100% deet,
    however in an aerosol Ben's 100 (same name), contains only 25% deet.
    
    
       This part is not from the article but from me.
    
       The risk of getting a disease such as lyme disease is fairly small.
    But...I hope we all take precautions with ourselves  as well as our
    children.  If the bugs aren't bad try using the Natrapel or Skin So
    Soft.  If that doesn't work use the repellents with deet, but keep an
    eye on the kids.  Wear light colored clothing and the check often for 
    ticks.  I got lyme disease 2 years ago but was lucky enough to have had
    symptoms show up.  Antibiotics fixed me right up, but the symptoms
    don't always show up right away.  If you even suspect that you or
    someone in your care has been bitten, please take them to doctor for
    some tests.  More than likely antibiotics will be prescribed and that
    will be that.  Better safe than sorry.  I sincerely hope you all have a
    fun and SAFE spring and summer.  Take care.
    
    
    
    Bear
    
    
1393.8More than one way to irritate your skin...ARCHER::PRESTONA cat... in the rat race of lifeFri Apr 27 1990 14:3117
    Thanks for entering that information, Bear. Last summer I spent a
    morning fishing with my wife during black fly season (yuck!) and to
    keep the little buggers from driving us crazy we put on hooded
    windbreakers and sprayed exposed skin (and the windbreakers) with 
    Deep Woods Off. It helped, but after that my wife developed an awful
    rash on her arms that lasted for more than a week. The rash covered the
    top of her arms like a t-shirt tan, and since she was wearing a t-shirt
    under the jacket we quickly figured that it was the repellent that she
    sprayed on the jacket that seeped through the material and got on her
    arms. I'm sure that the discomfort caused by the rash was worse than
    dealing withthe bugs in the first place. She has yet to try Skin So 
    Soft, but that other stuff is very rough on her.
    
    Also, the "permethrin" you mentioned - that's not the same as pyrethrin
    is it?
    
    Ed
1393.9Vitamin B1MFGMEM::MROWKAFri Apr 27 1990 15:3331
>    Also, the "permethrin" you mentioned - that's not the same as pyrethrin
>    is it?
    
 
	I am not sure of the spelling either but I have used this stuff on 
Carpenter ants I had in a house I was renting and it got rid of them when 
nothing else would, also its not harmful to plants or animals (used 
correctly). It is used in vegtable gardens. I also tried a higher than 
recommended concentration on a bunch of Wasp nests and it worked great. If 
some strays Wasps made it out of the nest I was able to zap them in mid air.

	Regarding Deet, my Fiancee got some in her eyes in Maine last year,
It was a very unplesant experience to say the least. When I am out in deep 
woods I will use Deet but mainly on my clothes, I dont like the feel on my 
skin.

	A woodcutter realative of mine uses a natrual solution. He will
take large doses of Vitamin B1 2-3 weeks prior to Black Fly season in Lee 
Maine and throughout season. He seldom has any problems with bugs. I have 
tried this and it works if you prepare by starting 2-3 weeks prior to the 
season. It seems the excess B1 make the seceretions of the skin a type that 
the bugs don't like.

	Avon SSS works too, but somtimes I just don't like the idea of 
smelling like I just put on alot of perfume. 

	To keep the bugs out of my face while fishing I find a good cigar 
works the best for me, smells alot better than SSS or Deet also.


	Johnny Roach.........................................
1393.10Won't bite as much but.....VICKI::DODIERFood for thought makes me hungryFri Apr 27 1990 16:2313
    	I don't think that Avon SSS is actually a repellent. I think that
    they just don't like the taste of it, and the fact that it seems to kill
    them doesn't hurt either.
    
    	The reason I think this is that I left a bottle of it on my front
    porch one time. There was SSS all over the cap. When I went back to get
    it a few hours later the cap was covered with dead black flies. 
    
    	My guess is that it doesn't keep them away. In fact, it seems to
    attract them. They just don't like to bite (suck) through it.
    
    	RAYJ
    
1393.11Maybe a nice woodsy pipe...ARCHER::PRESTONA cat... in the rat race of lifeFri Apr 27 1990 16:3829
>	A woodcutter realative of mine uses a natrual solution. He will
>take large doses of Vitamin B1 2-3 weeks prior to Black Fly season in Lee 
>Maine and throughout season. He seldom has any problems with bugs. I have 
>tried this and it works if you prepare by starting 2-3 weeks prior to the 
>season. It seems the excess B1 make the seceretions of the skin a type that 
>the bugs don't like.

    Ah! Good ol' vitamin B returns to the discussion! Last year some people
    tried it with varying levels of success. Some tried garlic tablets, and
    some even combined them. I do believe that there is something to those
    things, so I'll get a head start this year with the vitamins, andtake
    the garlic tabs on my way out the door to the fishin' hole.
    
>	Avon SSS works too, but somtimes I just don't like the idea of 
>smelling like I just put on alot of perfume. 
    
    The stuff makes me gag. I'll bet it makes the bugs gag, too. 
    And don't get ANY on your lures. I was fishing off the dock last year,
    semi-embalmed in SSS, and saw a big smallmouth charge at my Rebel Wee
    Craw, stop short of hitting it, pause for half a second, then take off
    like he was shot from a gun! I imagined I heard a gurgly little voice
    going "Peeeew!!"

>	To keep the bugs out of my face while fishing I find a good cigar 
>works the best for me, smells alot better than SSS or Deet also.

    Hmmm, maybe I'll take up the sport too. My wife would LOVE it!
    
    Ed
1393.12Don't knowNCBDFS::HOUSERFri Apr 27 1990 16:5218
    
    
    Ed,
    
       The article didn't mention anything but permethrin and deet so I
    really don't know if there is any connection between that and
    pyrethrin.  Sorry.
    
    
    Johnny......be good!
    
       Becareful about using that SSS, your wife might not believe you
    when you tell her you fishing.  
    
    
    Bear
    
    
1393.13SALEM::ALLOREAll I want is ONE shot!Mon Apr 30 1990 07:255
                 FYI:
          Deep Woods Off and Cutter Insect Repellant are being taken
    off the market.  They have both been proven to cause tumors.....
          I use SSS most of the time.  My wife and I use it on our
    horse too.  
1393.14FURTHR::HANNANBeyond description...Mon Apr 30 1990 11:532
	Pyrethin is the main chemical in Flea & Tick shampoo for
	dogs and cats....
1393.15MCIS5::WIERSUMThe Back Deck WizardMon Apr 30 1990 12:1820
    
    
    Re. 
    The military test where "volenteers" used and didn't use repellent
    and some "analysis" was done on number of bites per hour.
    
    I just thought I'd share this with you........
    
    VOLENTEERS?   oh yeh....in 1966 I was stationed at Camp LeJune in N.C.
    
    On this one particularly hot and humid day we taken out to the woods.  
    Were told to line up side by side at arms length. We were then told to 
    unblouse our right leg and march in a line through the underebrush for 
    approximately 1/2 mile.  At this point, we were met by a group of folks 
    that counted the number of chiggers and ticks we had on each leg to 
    determine the effectiveness of having your pants bloused.
    
    I suppose I volenteered!
    
    TBDW 
1393.16FYITOMCAT::PRESTONA cat... in the rat race of lifeMon Apr 30 1990 16:538
>          Deep Woods Off and Cutter Insect Repellant are being taken
>    off the market.  They have both been proven to cause tumors.....
    
    That's tumors on rats - they don't know about people, but want to be
    safe, I guess.
    
    Ed
    
1393.17Deet still appears to be OKMPGS::CHIASSONWed May 02 1990 12:418
    What I heard of the radio is the repellents with Deet was ok but a 
    new product they were using name escapes me but they said look for a
    string of chemical something on the order of 1 2 3  this gives you the 
    hint that the chemical is in the repellent 
    
    Are we talking about the same chemical warning
    
    ED
1393.18 TOMCAT::PRESTONA cat... in the rat race of lifeWed May 02 1990 13:036
    DEET is not the chemical pulled off the market. If you want to really
    be safe, toss your old stuff and buy new, 'cause all the old stuff with
    the "bad" chemical is gone by now.
    
    Ed
    
1393.19FURTHR::HANNANBeyond description...Wed May 02 1990 14:2210
	I heard that the chemical ingredient in bug juice that caused 
	a lot of stuff to be taken off the shelves is referred to as "R11".    

	Causes tumors in rats.  That's enough for me to avoid it.  

	Regarding Skin-So-Soft:  that stuff might repel bugs, but it also
	repels people ;-)  Reminds me of the little ole lady with too much	
	cheap perfume on.  Yuck!

	Ken
1393.20One DEAD Son coming up!USRCV1::FRASCHWed May 02 1990 14:5617
    I'm sorry I read this, but I had to find out! Last weekend we were
    fishing the E.S.L.O. derby and were overrun by bugs on Friday. Sooooo,
    Saturday morning my Son sprayer everything in sight with Deep Woods
    Off. (while I was parking the trailer) When I jumped into the boat,
    even the floor was sticky! I was wiping bug spray off the windshield to
    see!
    
    Now mind you, I just spent $1,000 last year for a full blown stand-up
    canvas job with a drop curtain and all the works. Guess what? The
    damned bug spray "dippled" my new side curtains like you wouldn't
    believe! My Son still doesn't think the spray was the cause of the
    damage. I printed this note to give to him tonight for proof. He is 18
    (almost and might not make it) and thinks he knows everything about
    anything----and Mom and Dad are dumb! (Typical 18 year old)
    
    So far, I've washed everything twice with soap and water, so I guess
    the damage is ended. (and now for my Son's life!!!)
1393.21Case Closed!EUCLID::PETERSONGOVERNMENT is a VERB!Wed May 02 1990 14:579
    
    
    	If you work at a site that manufactures/builds protos/has a model
    shop, go down and ask about scrap.  Get some and spray a few samples. 
    Check out the results, and write a report.  
    
    
    		Submit it to a fishin rag and make $50.00