Tyvek and pyrethrin

[Caminomary525]

Anybody had any experience treating soft Tyvek with pyrethrin to keep the bed bugs from biting? I got two yards today with the thought of putting it under/around my sleeping bag liner, for additional warmth if needed ,and for protection from night time crawlers.

The material seems like the bug spray might not penetrate. Would the spray adhere well enough to the surface to be effective?

I really don't want to let the bedbugs bite!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Spray both sides.

 

[muzzal]

I used Sawyers permethrin, which is the most common synthetic pyrethrin and is much more resistant to UV deterioration.

Sawyers claim that it is fine on non-absorbent materials such as packs and tents so it should be okay on Tyvek. Apparently it chemical bonds to the material so doesn't need to absorb into the fabric. So that the spray stays on the Tyvek rather than running off, I suggest that instead of hanging it up vertically, it is laid flat during application and until it is dry.

I used it on my clothes, silk sleep liner and gear including my pack, boots and gaiters. Why these last items? Well, the repellency of permethrin works on having a minimum concentration of molecules around so in effect, you are creating a 'zone of repellency' around your body.

Hope these comments are helpful

 

[longwalker]

I suggest you read the label for this insecticide. I use a variation of this product in my farm operations, it is a long lasting residual contact insecticide. Personally, I would not spray it where humans could come into repeated contact with a treated surface. Federal laws require chemicals used in agriculture be labeled with information regarding use and toxicity. If all else fails you can find the label on the internet.

 

[dbjordan]

The contact with any pesticide (a substance designed to kill living things) for extended periods (like a camino) in anticipation of a problem that may or may not exist is not a good idea.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Camino de Santiago Forum mobile app

 

[tyrrek]

Tyvek is a brand of flashspun high-density polyethylene fibers; the name is a registered trademark of DuPont. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. :shock:

 

[Kiwi-family]

Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. :shock:

Funny you should mention that - I thought of you when I read the subject line!

 

[Say Simba]

For the most part, each alburgue now issues at time of check in a sheet and pillow for bedbugs. I dumped the sheet I treated after the first few days. Never got a bug.

 

[NoorvanderVeen]

For the most part, each alburgue now issues at time of check in a sheet and pillow for bedbugs. I dumped the sheet I treated after the first few days. Never got a bug.

Well that will just have been your luck! The camino is not bed bug free.

Mary, what you could try, is treating the sheet with a liter or so of pyrethrin or permethrin solution, let the sheet stay in there for an hour and then let it dry. I have a bottle of permethrin solution from NoBite that is supposed to work for 3 months after treating the textile with it. I have not tested it.

 

[Kitsambler]

...treating the sheet with a liter or so of pyrethrin or permethrin solution...

... would be excessive.

The small size of Sawyer's is more than adequate to treat 5 cot-sized sheets of soft Tyvek, both sides. Do the treatment outside, on a calm day, be sure to wear protective clothing (like rain gear and dish gloves), spray downwind from you, let it air-dry several hours. Hose yourself off afterwards. Once dry, it poses no hazard to humans.

Tyvek comes in two varieties: one is stiff and hard, used for wrapping houses in a vapor barrier during construction. The other is soft to the hand, used for making kites (and other things I'm sure) - this is the sort I used.

 

[muzzal]

...treating the sheet with a liter or so of pyrethrin or permethrin solution...

... would be excessive.

I think what NoorvanderVeen is referring to is a DILUTED solution of the permethrin. Some manufacturers used to advocate dipping or soaking the item in a diluted solution and letting the excess drain before drying. Although ensuring full coverage, this method was a bit messy and inconvenient for most so spray application is more common now.

A while back I did check with Sawyers and they say that the full immersion method is still viable but I cannot recall the dilution ratio they recommended. Best to contact them.

 

[Trekster]

I used a piece of permethrin treated soft Tyvek (one meter by two meters and a bit) on the Camino and had lots of questions about it. Could have easily sold it in Santiago two weeks ago but gave it away to someone who will make good use of it.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

the dilution ratio they recommended

Five percent (5%) from my bottle of bulk permethrin.

Avoid skin contact with the solution, as previously stated in this thread, and keep aquariums and pets away!

 

[NoorvanderVeen]

...treating the sheet with a liter or so of pyrethrin or permethrin solution...

... would be excessive.

I think what NoorvanderVeen is referring to is a DILUTED solution of the permethrin. Some manufacturers used to advocate dipping or soaking the item in a diluted solution and letting the excess drain before drying. Although ensuring full coverage, this method was a bit messy and inconvenient for most so spray application is more common now.

A while back I did check with Sawyers and they say that the full immersion method is still viable but I cannot recall the dilution ratio they recommended. Best to contact them.

That is what I meant, sorry. I found it hard to explain in english.

 

[dee bright]

... would be excessive.

The small size of Sawyer's is more than adequate to treat 5 cot-sized sheets of soft Tyvek, both sides. Do the treatment outside, on a calm day, be sure to wear protective clothing (like rain gear and dish gloves), spray downwind from you, let it air-dry several hours. Hose yourself off afterwards. Once dry, it poses no hazard to humans.

Tyvek comes in two varieties: one is stiff and hard, used for wrapping houses in a vapor barrier during construction. The other is soft to the hand, used for making kites (and other things I'm sure) - this is the sort I used.

Where can I buy a small sheet of soft Tyvek?

 

[dee bright]

I used a piece of permethrin treated soft Tyvek (one meter by two meters and a bit) on the Camino and had lots of questions about it. Could have easily sold it in Santiago two weeks ago but gave it away to someone who will make good use of it.

Where did you purchase it? I can only find it online in huge quantities! Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Dup...281319?hash=item3cfaa6eca7:g:TN4AAOxyXDhSh9OA

 

[dee bright]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Dup...281319?hash=item3cfaa6eca7:g:TN4AAOxyXDhSh9OA

Thanks! I wonder if a 5x8 sheet would be any lighter than a twin fitted sheet?

 

[Kitsambler]

Where can I buy a small sheet of soft Tyvek?

You'll want Tyvek 1443R (43g/sq m), which is kitemaking material. Amazon carries it in the US in lengths as short as 2 meters. I'm sure craft-supply shops elsewhere also carry it. This is much softer and lighter than the type of Tyvek sold in home construction.

 

[dee bright]

You'll want Tyvek 1443R (43g/sq m), which is kitemaking material. Amazon carries it in the US in lengths as short as 2 meters. I'm sure craft-supply shops elsewhere also carry it. This is much softer and lighter than the type of Tyvek sold in home construction.

Thanks. The online materials are a bit pricy so I'm checking craft stores right now. So far, no luck, but I'll keep looking! The big question is, will it be lighter than my twin fitted sheet! I'm trying to shave my pack weight!

Thanks again, and Buen Camino! I leave in 20 days! Yikes!

 

[dee bright]

Okay, just found it and ordered it at a very reasonable price on Amazon, and according to the specs, it should be 7 oz lighter than my twin sheet! Yahoo! And thanks again!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Thanks! I wonder if a 5x8 sheet would be any lighter than a twin fitted sheet?

I think so, and it is a vapor barrier, good if you use it as a sitting pad.

 

[dee bright]

I think so, and it is a vapor barrier, good if you use it as a sitting pad.

Yes! A backpacking friend just suggested that, too, so I'm removing my little sit pad from my pack. Getting the pack weight down, ounce by ounce!

 

[Kitsambler]

ounce by ounce!

I use a spare piece of Tyvek, about 1 m x 0.5 m, as my "sit-upon" (old Girl Scout lingo). It's wonderfully durable, still going strong now 5 years in. And it keeps my trousers cleaner, which makes laundry easier. It's long enough that I can stretch out for my afternoon nap under a tree, using my pack as a pillow. An essential item!

 

[dee bright]

Another great idea. I was concerned about getting my mattress cover dirty, so just ordered an additional small piece I'll use as my sit-upon! I was in Girl Scouts, too!

Thanks again so much!
Dee