I agree that what you're doing is much harder in a humid hot environment. You might try a few dry fibers of cotton, cut or scraped from clothing or a dry sack. Lint from a clothes dryer is excellent (that's urban survival). Old dried moss from tree bark might also be good. Adding any kind of inflammable material - just a few drops - is also helpful. Rubbing alcohol. Gasoline (few drops only!). 100% DEET mosquito repellant. All might help to do the trick.

Keep us informed.

Pete #2