Biting midges or cedar gnats or no-see-ums
Biting midges, cedar gnats, no-see-ums, basty nasterds etc... By any name they are the scourge of the southwest and it seems, the world over. I can only talk about the southwest since it's the only...
Forum Discussion
Hi Whaz:
Our personal experience with Southwest gnats:
We always get nailed by these pinon gnats in the Hovenweep area (man, are they hellacious there in spring!). Our solution (at camp) is: a large micro-screened kitchen tent we can do everything in, and several cans of permethrin spray (EPA specs here--> ).
Permethrin spray can't be applied to skin, but can be used (in specific incarnations) to wash all trekking clothing, hats, socks and even entire tent (clothes washing version of this very effective anti bug stuff we've found).
I've used it for years in Central America against black flies, beach gnats and tics, mosquitoes, etc...spraying my house screens, socks, tent, tent screens, shirts, hats and boots. Most of the outdoor permethrin product is manufactured with a polymer that allows the permethrin material to adhere to clothing and everything it is sprayed on for at least a week (or 2).
Anyhow, this has been my personal experience with permethrin, but do your due diligence as for health effects, allergies, etc....Disclaimer: this post is not a recommendation for others to use this product.
S-
Our personal experience with Southwest gnats:
We always get nailed by these pinon gnats in the Hovenweep area (man, are they hellacious there in spring!). Our solution (at camp) is: a large micro-screened kitchen tent we can do everything in, and several cans of permethrin spray (EPA specs here--> ).
Permethrin spray can't be applied to skin, but can be used (in specific incarnations) to wash all trekking clothing, hats, socks and even entire tent (clothes washing version of this very effective anti bug stuff we've found).
I've used it for years in Central America against black flies, beach gnats and tics, mosquitoes, etc...spraying my house screens, socks, tent, tent screens, shirts, hats and boots. Most of the outdoor permethrin product is manufactured with a polymer that allows the permethrin material to adhere to clothing and everything it is sprayed on for at least a week (or 2).
Anyhow, this has been my personal experience with permethrin, but do your due diligence as for health effects, allergies, etc....Disclaimer: this post is not a recommendation for others to use this product.
S-
