Steve,
I am a believer in Permethrin treatment of clothing and gear -- you have a couple of choices and actually I use both -- the spray and the clothing treatment (soak) -- have used the military stuff and it is great, just hard to find in the civilian side of the house -- Sawyer is probably the way to go -- they have a spray you can use on your backpack and sleeping bag -- the Sawyer "Premium Inset Repellent Clothing Treatment" kit is very similar to the Military kit and great for treating clothing -- this treatment kit is is good for 42 days or 6 washings (I have actually treated clothes with the Military Kit that pretty much lasted a year -- so think the Sawyer will last longer than advertised) -- once you air dry your kit -- it is good to go -- from all I have read and experienced no harm to humans (IF your follow the instructions! -- not sure if loss of hair has been due to the Permethrin or old age -- would like to blame the Permethrin, but science would probably prove me wrong : { ) -- zaps bugs (ticks, bedbugs, mosquitoes, no see ems, and probably ladybugs (sorry), etc..) -- I found a web site that ships overseas -- I use an APO so not sure how that will work for others -- the name of the site is "domyownpestcontrol.com" -- I know of no "natural" products that are as effective as permethrin in prevention of getting bit by little critters (having lived and traveled in Latin America, Africa, Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the good old USA Midwest)-- the other option is to get a sleeping bag liner that is already treated (I have one and am taking it with me AND will also treat my gear --overkill -- yes -- but have had one close encounter with beg bugs and was not fun -- at least for me - am sure the beg bugs had a cigarette afterwards)-- Buen Camino.