Be sure you are not allergic to deet before you have to depend on it in the field. This stuff lights me up. Even the mild amount in Cutter will turn my skin red. Something like “Deep Woods Off” will make me break out. I use 2 different "herbal" repellents. One I just got is a Badger product. Works very well, so far.

Wow, those are high concentrations, believe that I would either have to face bugs like in the Men In Black movie or cut the DEET pretty heavily with sunscreen before using that strength.

Nice thought on the mosquito net, I have one in the vehicle kit. Hate changing tires while continually swatting the buzzing around the noggin. <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Been there, done that, ugggggghhh! <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the update. I concur with virtually all of it. Haven't messed with" permethrin" yet (at least to my immediate knowledge) & will keep an eye out for more info.

Pyrethrin/permethrin are the synthesized and natural chemicals from a flower from Africa. It is totally safe around mammals, however, it can kill fish,amphibians,reptiles and birds. What you really need to understand is the label. A quick look at many insecticides will list a small percentile of the listed chemical. Notice the 98% material listed as inert material. What you are spraying on you is usually a petroleum based compound to act as a carry medium. And what the industry also will not reveal, are the additional "boosters" added to that inert base. Permethrins will only last a few hours at best, and are most effective in a water based medium. I prefer some rather old fashioned remedies; smudging with local plant materials, using as smoky fire when at base and lastly what elephants do- cover my exposed features in mud <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Oooooh!

That was a really cool reaction!

<img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Ruzz,

Matches, especially in a waterproof match safe, and a disposable butane lighter (such as a Scripto or Bic) are easy, convenient ways to start a fire. But as you have noted, matches can become wet, lighters loose fuel and otherwise malfunction. One very reliable device for starting fires is the modern, artificial flint rod, the ferocerrium (sp?) rod and steel. It's good for thousands of lights. Even if it becomes wet, it is simple to dry. It has only 2 parts and you provide the energy to make one move.

A number of excellent ferrocerium rods are available. The Swedish Fire Steel is excellent. Another favorite is the Hot Spark available at any Boy Scout shop. One is part of my EDC.

My favorite tender consists of cotton balls which I have impregnated with petroleum jelly. They readily catch sparks and ignite. They burn well for about 5 minutes. After practice, you may be able to start a campfire with only a fraction of a cotton ball. You can also buy prepared tinder from various sources. Couglans is everywhere. Others are also commonplace.

I have also worked with natural flint and carbon steel trying to make a fire. It's quite hard even to get a decent sized spark, let alone start a fire with the primitive tools. So if that's your goal, work hard, but be patient.

Naturally, I am assuming your parents consent to all your fire-starting endeavors. Discuss it with them. They might surprise you with very good information. And don't act against their wishes even if you don't agree with them. The farm is their livelihood and they may have excellent but unspoken reasons)

Enjoy your many opportunities to learn while young.

John
(a former 16 year old farm boy)

Aside from concerns re effectiveness and possible medical side effects from insect repellents, one also needs to consider how it may interact with things it gets on. For instance, the deet-based insect repellent and or the sun block we were using dissolved part of the finish on my son's Remington 870 Express shotgun. OTOH, I used the same products, but it/they didn't affect the different finish on my Remington 1100.

So the moral is be careful with chemicals around things you handle.

John

I agree with you about the individual succeptibility. I think it may have something to do with the scent of the person and/or the colors they are wearing. I have had yellow jackets come out of the ground right by my foot, ignore me, and attack a man several feet away.