skeeters eatin me through hammock

[FLRider]

Permethrin the bottom of the hammock,,and they will avoid it.

+1 on this. I credit Permethrin with keeping my nether regions free of ticks on my Ocala hike; the 100% DEET I was wearing didn't even faze the little buggers. Found six of 'em in three days on my lower legs, but nothing north of the knees!

To answer the OP's question, Permethrin is a synthetic derivative of an insecticide that chrysanthemums produce. It is non-toxic to humans and domestic animals once dry (though when wet, it extremely toxic to cats), and will--in the concentrations meant for use on clothing and gear--last approximately six weeks or six washings.

I use it on all of my bush clothes, my hammmock, and my top insulation before going anywhere in FL from March to October. You wouldn't believe the arthropod population down here...

[more]

Another nice thing about permethrin is that it doesn't just repel ticks, it outright kills them on contact.

[BigTurtle]

does it have an odor or cause skin irritations if you would lay on it in your hammock "after its dry. and how do you apply it

[amac]

It does have a slight odor, but when dry, it is barely noticeable. I don't find it offensive at all, unlike Deet, which can keep me awake. Permethrin is purchased in a concentrated liquid which you then add water to to obtain a concentration of about .5% (just follow the instructions on the package). You then apply it by soaking your clothes/gear in or spray the solution on them. I apply it to my hammock and socks, pants, outer shirts. I don't apply it to sleep clothes or underwear. I've not read anything that says I shouldn't, it's just what I do. I've never experienced any kind of irritation from it.

[deerfu]

Been using it for for years with no ill effects (Don't lick my clothes or hammock after applied though). I've never noticed an odor after it drys. I hate skeeters with a passion but ticks are scary! I've had lyme disease once and there's no immunity to it. I DON'T WANT IT AGAIN. Have you tried using a Thermacell? They're awesome if you're not backpacking.

[FLRider]

There is a slight smell when wet. It smells of...well...flowers. Which I suppose is appropriate, considering where the stuff is derived from. After drying, I can't smell anything. However, I have virtually no sense of smell compared to most folks. Your mileage may vary here.

As far as long-term effects, it hasn't been shown to be harmful to humans...as long as you're not bathing in the stuff. There was a study done with mice at some point that indicated if you drank it, it might cause benign (non-cancerous) tumors. Which is why the Sawyer's version is a spray. You hang your gear/clothing, spray the stuff on, and let it dry for four to eight hours. After that, you're golden.

The US military has been using this stuff at least as far back as the first Gulf War, and I haven't heard of any issues from it being used by them.

[dkperdue]

A couple of layers of material will thwart the little vampires. Sort of like Kevlar being cloth but stopping bullets. Multiple fibers in different directions.

I found out that the nylon Supplex material in the latest Scout pants didn't stop them in the least bit on a camping trip a couple of years ago.
Thought I was good, since i had long trousers on. WRONG!!
They could drill right through the material like it was not there, and I had the bites to prove it.

[Jazilla]

Every hammock I have made has been a double layer. The only single I have now is my HHULB and I must use an UQ with it to avoid the little blood suckers. Summer quilts are a blessing for those really hot days. PLUQ has been a life and time saver also.

[Riverpirate]

It does not happen in a Clark. Just another reason to own one.

[JaxHiker]

Sort of like Kevlar being cloth but stopping bullets. Multiple fibers in different directions.

Kevlar won't stop a knife, though, which is somewhat akin to a skeeters pointy end. I've taken bites through the DL but we're talking 1 vs many. I believe in DL + permethrin.