Recently several companies in cluding L.L. Bean and Orvis started selling BUZZ OFF clothing. It soundslike it does a great job of keeping the bugs away. However, does anyone know if the substance used is safe. They claim it is a substitute for DEET, but that’s not saying much about safety to the user.
Thanks,
John
it is my understanding that the ingredient is organic, i believe citrinella, but i could be wrong.
By all reports, the material is safe to use. It makes use of a compound found in crysanthemums.
I’ve worn it for a week straight with no rashes or other reactions, no ill effects that I can identify.
I have much less worry about permethrin than about the various viral encephalites that we risk now.
aka Cap’n Yid.
Stev Lenon, 91B20’68-'69
When the dawn came up like thunder
Stay tuned, we have a new Sponsor coming aboard, Smart Shield who produces sun-screen, bug repellant and other outdoor necessities all of which are organic, non-polluting, allergy free and SAFE! They actually work.
[This message has been edited by LadyFisher (edited 01 August 2005).]
Awhile back Orvis was doing a ot of marketing of the buzz-off clothing and I remember that in the artical explaining the repellant, it is a derivative of marigolds.
I have often been told by oldtimers that when planting a garden of veggies in the summer that it is good to include a row or two of marigolds as they will inhibit bugs and critters from devouring the veggies.
I don’t think that there is anything that would be dangerous in marigolds unless you wanted to eat several bushels of them.
i have buzz off clothing and it made me lose my hair. at least that’s what the lawsuit says… 
I believe they use Permethrin. You can buy products with this ingredient to spray your own clothes. With the concentration in the commercial spray product you can wash the treated clothes and they still retain their repellant properties. However, even the clothing that is pre treated, like Buzz Off?, will wear off eventially with repeated washing.
I have tried Repel? Permanone spray which contains Permethrin. It is available from many sources. It seems to work. There are label warnings not to spray on skin and to wait until clothing is completly dry before wearing it.
Joe
I wear the bandana’s around my neck as a sun shield and for the buzz-off protection.
I have not had a bug bite since I started doing that.
I found this on a fly shop website, so it must be right!!! 
)
“That?s because BUZZ OFF is in your clothing, not on your skin, so it keeps working as long as you?re wearing the garment. BUZZ OFF is made from permethrin, a man-made form of the all-natural insect repellent derived from the chrysanthemum plant. It?s fully registered with the EPA, and effective through 25 washings.”
Ken
There is a fine line between fly fishing and and just standing in a river looking like and idiot.
Wow,
Thanks for all of the feedback. I really appreciate it. Certainly sounds better than DEET.
-John
John,
I have several shirts and socks, the stuff is awesome. No more spraying that deet in my eyes. I have used it in the mosquito infested flat tops wilderness(CO) and in the bechler area of yellowstone. Occasionally they will land on the shirt but quickly fly off without biting. They will bite your hands and face if they get the opportunity. I thought it was garbage until I used it. I have washed 1 shirt 13 times with no difference in its effectiveness in my opinion.
<*(((((><
Jim in CO
Hold on folks! Permethrin may be hazardous to your health!
While there are no definate results from studies as yet, it does not mean that this substance is 100% safe. It is regulated as a pesticide. It has toxic properties. It has many suspected hazards:
Carcinogen
Endocrine Toxicant
Gastrointestinal or Liver Toxicant
Neurotoxicant
Reproductive Toxicant
Here’s a link with some information: [url=http://www.scorecard.org/chemical-profiles/summary.tcl?edf_substance_id=52645-53-1:58d94]http://www.scorecard.org/chemical-profiles/summary.tcl?edf_substance_id=52645-53-1[/url:58d94]
Joe
There is a Repel? Product that uses Eucalyptus Oil which is supposed to be the best herbal repellent out there. It gets good reviews even from Consumer Reports.
I haven?t found it or tried it yet.
Bamboozle, The product is Repel? Lemon Eucalyptus and I have heard it works but haven’t tried it myself as yet.
Joe
Just bought 2 packs of Sawyer’s Military Permethrin clothing treatment. Soak clothing in solution for 2 hours. Lasts for multiple washings or about 6 weeks.
Joe,
I agree with your statement about the hazards. I checked out some of the statemens online. It certainly has risks and certainly is not organic. The interesting thing I saw that it is toxic to fish!
-John
Joe,
I agree with your statement about the hazards. I checked out some of the statemens online. It certainly has risks and certainly is not organic. The interesting thing I saw that it is toxic to fish!
-John
I think that bug repellants are really people repellants ?cause I?m $h!t-scared to use most of them for fear of melting my fly lines, ruining other plastic stuff, and now killing fish. I have a bottle of Muskol that?s so old it still has Colonel T. Coll?s picture on it. I haven?t used the stuff for years.
I?ll stick with my favorite repellant, a cigar. It keeps small children away too!
Repellent or…
Lyme disease or…
West Nile?
Two new cases of West Nile in PA just this past week.
I think I’ll stay with the repellent.
An outing for me usally requires both sun and bug protection. I bathe all of my exposed parts with chemical goop before or while getting dressed;to ensure the most effective and safe use. I am very interested in the product of the new sponsor. I will volunteer to field test some. Anyone know where to buy it?
FlyfisherJoe writes:
>Hold on folks! Permethrin may be hazardous >to your health!
>While there are no definate results from >studies as yet, it does not mean that this >substance is 100% safe. It is regulated as >a pesticide. It has toxic properties. It >has many suspected hazards:
>Carcinogen
>Endocrine Toxicant
>Gastrointestinal or Liver Toxicant
>Neurotoxicant
>Reproductive Toxicant
>Here’s a link with some information: >http://www.scorecard.org/chemical->profiles/summary.tcl?>edf_substance_id=52645-53-1
Joe, I can’t tell you or anyone else how to protect your selves.
I followed the link you posted, read about the Environmental Defense Fund, and believe that they are well meaning but not necessarily the best resource to follow in this matter. I suspect, since they formed as an anti-DDT group, that all pesticides are inherently evil in their perception.
Yes, Permethrin is an insectiside, that’s why we are talking about wearing clothing soaked in it.
Yes, Permethrin is an organic compound, manufactured by humans and it may have potentially toxic, mutagenic, teratoxigenic, and other effects.
I’m through reproducing. I don’t care if it causes mutations in meiotic or mitotic processes. YMMV.
The other toxic and mutagenic effects are only suspect. EDF can’t really claim that they are harmful, just that some studies may indicate harm. If so, the harm they engender is slow to develop.
West Nile, Lyme Disease, Yellow Fever, Malaria, Dengue, SLE, EEE,WEE and other mosquito and tick-borne diseases are known to be harmful, in many cases lethal. Other mosquito-borne diseases are arriving on our shores with increasing frequency. Such diseases may require only one brief encouter with an infected tick or mosquito. Multiple encounters will only boost the probability of infection.
I’ve had Malaria, and I’ve seen patients with the other diseases. My background and career in laboratory medicine cause me to accept the risk of wearing clothing with permethrin as far less dangerous than being exposed to tropical diseases.
aka Cap’n Yid.
Stev Lenon, 91B20’68-'69
When the dawn came up like thunder