TRAVEL MEDICINE
INSECT REPELLENTS

Review Date: May 15, 2002

Reviewer information:

Name: Shane Steinkamp
Age: 33 DOB: 04/24/1969
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 10" (1.778 meters)
Weight: 250 lbs (113 kilos)
Email address: shane@theplacewithnoname.com
City: New Orleans (Metairie)
State: Louisiana
Country: USA
Date: May 15, 2002

Backpacking background: Bit by the wandering bum disease at an early age, I have 10,000 plus miles of long distance hiking. After that I lost track... I have been hiking since age seven or eight, which is about 26 years. I have ranged from the southern tip of Baja to Barrow, Alaska and from coast to coast - although most of my wandering has been done west of the Mississippi river, with frequent trips in Florida. I have experienced all extremes of weather and terrain, with the exception of Antarctic terrain.

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Test report notes: In order to fairly evaluate these products, I felt it necessary to educate myself in several areas. I have included a list of additional resources where appropriate and at the end of this report. The use of ANY dangerous or irritating substance requires caution and adult supervision. Used properly, the chemicals on which these products are based have proven safe and effective for years.

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Travel Medicine Fite Bite products are distributed by: 
Travel Medicine, Inc.
Northhampton, MA 01060
1-800-TRAVEMED (872-8633)
Fax: 413-584-6656
WEB: http://www.fitebite.com OR http://www.travmed.com
EMAIL: travmed@travmed.com

Packaging & Package Contents:

The box arrived from Travel Medicine via UPS 2nd Day Air. The box was crushed and torn open, although I am sure that it probably left Travel Medicine in perfect condition.

The box included: 

  • Five products, detailed below.
  • Rather inadequate amounts of packing material in the form of crumpled brown paper. The products were rattling around in the box. 
  • A two page black and white document printed on regular typing paper and secured with a staple. This document contained a product list with product performance claims. Each claim will be assessed separately, and all claims are detailed below. 
  • A one page black and white document with instructions on how to use the Fite Bite Permethrin Spray.

All items were in perfect condition, despite being mishandled by UPS. The cap had dislodged from the Fite Bite 30, but no leakage or other signs of stress to the products was evident. I do not know if the package I received was packaged according to Travel Medicine's usual packaging method, but considering that Permethrin is a deadly poison, better packaging should definitely have been used.

Five separate products were delivered. These are: 

1. Fite Bite Permethrin Spray - 8 Ounce Non-Aerosol Trigger Spray - Retail: $7.95
2. Fite Bite 13.3% Permethrin Solution - 8 Ounce Child Safe Bottle - Retail: $24.95
3. Fite Bit 6-Hour - 4 Ounce Tube - Retail: $7.95
4. Fite Bite 30 Insect Repellent - 4 Ounce non-Aerosol Pump Spray - Retail: $5.95
5. Ultrathon - 2 Ounce Tube - Retail: $8.95

Each product is individually detailed below.

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Travel Medicine's Web Site: http://www.fitebite.com OR http://www.travmed.com Travel Medicine's web site is a real treat. Its intuitive pages are easy to navigate. I am frankly surprised at the wide range of products offered by Travel Medicine on their website. The complete International Travel HealthGuide is available on line, and is an excellent resource. This is a site that one could easily spend hours browsing in and learning from. Lists of travel clinics, health advisories everywhere in the world, and much more are available from their site. It is truly outstanding.

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1. Fite Bite Permethrin Spray

Product Description: 8 ounce non-aerosol trigger spray. Active ingredient is 0.5% Permethrin. Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid. Like most members of this family of insecticides, it has four isomers, molecules made up of the same atoms with different three-dimensional structures. 

Product Claims: Effective insect repellent for clothing, mosquito nets, tents and gear. Contains 0.5% Permethrin. Repels and kills mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, and mites. Repels and kills ticks that may carry Lyme disease or Rocky Mt. spotted fever. Does not harm or stain clothing. Does not harm or stain synthetics, natural fibers, or Gortex. Odorless after application. Binds tightly to treated (fabric). Chemically related to natural pyrethrum. Completely biodegradable. Developed and tested by the U.S. military for use on jungle and desert uniforms. Treats two complete outfits (shirt, trousers, and socks) fabric and lasts 2 weeks and through at least 2 launderings per treatment. Comes in an 8 ounce trigger spray.

First impressions: I have always wanted to try Permethrin to bug-proof clothing, but I have always been afraid of handling the stuff and washing my clothes in it. I never thought I would be excited about an insect repellent, but this spray is just what I have been looking for. I can hardly wait to try it.

Things I like: Easy spray application. Proven effectiveness by the CDC and military. The extremely low concentration of Permethrin in this product makes me feel much better about using it. Permethrin has been shown over long-term studies to have no side effects in humans.

Things I don't like: The bottle is NOT child safe.

Please see the section at the bottom of this report entitled "About Permethrin"

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2. Fite Bite 13.3% Permethrin Solution

Product Description: 8 ounce brown plastic bottle containing 13.3% Permethrin solution. Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid. Like most members of this family of insecticides, it has four isomers, molecules made up of the same atoms with different three-dimensional structures.

Product Claims: Effective insect repellent for clothing, mosquito nets, tents and gear. Contains 13.3% Permethrin. Repels and kills mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, and mites. Repels and kills ticks that may carry Lyme disease or Rocky Mt. spotted fever. Does not harm or stain clothing. Does not harm or stain synthetics, natural fibers, or Gortex. Odorless after application. Binds tightly to treated (fabric). Chemically related to natural pyrethrum. Completely biodegradable. Developed and tested by the U.S. military for use on jungle and desert uniforms. Treats four complete outfits (shirt, trousers, and socks) fabric and lasts a minimum of 4 months and through 10 launderings per treatment. Comes in an 8 plastic bottle.

First impressions: I have always wanted to try Permethrin to bug-proof clothing, but I have always been afraid of handling the stuff and washing my clothes in it. Now that I am faced with it, I am still reluctant. I will, however, try it. The package included easy instructions that indicate that the process is easier than I expected. The 'included' plastic bag was NOT, however, included. I will be saturating my mosquito net this weekend, using a standard Zip-Loc bag.

Things I like: Bottle has a very effective childproof cap. Permethrin has been shown over long-term studies to have no side effects in humans.

Things I don't like: Well, the stuff IS a deadly poison...although there's really nothing to do for that...

Please see the section at the bottom of this report entitled "About Permethrin"

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3. Fite Bite 6-Hour

Product Description: Bright yellow 4-ounce tube.

Product Claims: Plant-based insect repellent for skin. Contains extracts of lemon eucalyptus oil in a non-greasy lotion. Repels mosquitoes and deer ticks for up to 6 hours. Developed and tested by the London School of Tropical Hygiene & Medicine. Comes in a 4 ounce tube.

First impressions: Now here's something to get excited about. A non-DEET repellent that lasts 6 hours. The white lotion spreads easily, absorbs readily, and has a very pleasant lemony scent. Even after hand-washing, the scent was evident. The product was not greasy. I am one of those people that generally cannot stand to feel something 'sticky' on me. Once applied, I did not notice the lotion at all. After applying it generously to my face, the vapors caused my sinuses to clear and my eyes to water very slightly for three minutes. I found this sensation refreshing. I will definitely be using a lot of this stuff to see how effective it is. I will be contacting the London School of Tropical Hygiene & Medicine for more information, if available.

Things I like: Non-DEET formula. Pleasant smell. Easy to apply.

Things I don't like: Tube is NOT child safe. No indication as to whether or not the product is safe to use on small children. Warns of 'significant but temporary eye injury'. Having gotten eucalyptus oil in my eyes before, I can attest that the injury IS 'significant but temporary'.

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4. Fite Bite 30 Insect Repellent

Product Description: 4 ounce non-aerosol pump spray. Orange cap, black bottle.

Product Claims: Insect repellent for skin. Water-based formula containing 30% DEET. Repels Ticks, mosquitoes, no-see-ums, deer flies, black flies, chiggers, and stable flies for 2 to 3 hours. Comes is a 4 ounce non-aerosol pump spray.

First impressions: I am a big fan of sprays when it comes to insect repellents. I dislike spreading DEET on myself with my hands, then trying to wash them while on the trail before eating or rubbing my eyes. Sprays eliminate this problem, and I am glad to see a lightweight pump spray. If this proves effective, I hope Travel Medicine will sell it to me by the case.

Things I like: Despite rough handling by UPS, the bottle did not leak. In my experience with pump spray bottles, I have often seen them leak. The non-aerosol spray is environmentally friendly, and keeps the product off my hands which eliminates the need for messy spreading and trying to wash my hands while on the trail.

Things I don't like: Bottle is NOT child safe.

Please see the section at the bottom of this report entitled "About DEET"

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5. Ultrathon

Product Description: 2 ounce tube.  Actually a 3M product. (http://www.3m.com)

Product Claims: Number-one rated insect repellent for skin. Contains 33% DEET in a controlled-release polymer, which reduces the loss of DEET from the skin surface through absorption and evaporation. Prevents mosquito bites for over 12 hours and tick attachment for over 9 hours. Effective against biting flies, gnats, chiggers, and fleas. Also repels terrestrial leeches in tropical areas where pest occurs. Moisture resistant lotion - lasts through splashes, perspiration, and rain. Developed for and used by the U.S. military for use in challenging environments that require long-lasting protection. Lasts 2 weeks per person when applied to face, neck, and hands. Comes in a 2 ounce Tube.

First impressions: The white lotion was easy to spread, non-greasy, and was not noticed after application.

Things I like: Easy to apply, no greasy feel, no odor.

Things I don't like: I dislike spreading DEET on myself with my hands, then trying to wash them while on the trail before eating or rubbing my eyes.

Please see the section at the bottom of this report entitled "About DEET"

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Overall Impressions: I am very impressed with the Travel Medicine line I have received. The DEET products contain the percentages of DEET as recommended by the CDC, and I even feel better about the Permethrin products now that I have educated myself. I look forward to testing these products around my home and on the trail.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The CDC has an excellent page about bugs: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/bugs.htm

Another excellent resource is this: http://www.deet.com

Also, http://www.bug-spray.com ranks many brands. Fite Bite 30, included in this test, ranks #2 over all!

The National Pesticide Information Center's website is: http://npic.orst.edu/

Travel Medicine's website (http://www.travmed.com) also has excellent resources about DEET and Permethrin.

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ABOUT PERMETHRIN

Permethrin is a deadly poison, which is combustible. When burning it releases toxic fumes, including hydrogen chloride. Like any other dangerous substance, care must be taken during its use - and that includes being aware that any garment saturated with Permethrin, and even after the clothing dries, is still poisonous and will put off toxic gasses if burned.

Permethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid. Like most members of this family of insecticides, it has four isomers, molecules made up of the same atoms with different three-dimensional structures. Permethrin, like all synthetic pyrethroid, kills insects by strongly exciting their nervous systems. Permethrin makes the nervous system hypersensitive to stimuli from sense organs. Rather than sending a single impulse in response to a stimulus, Permethrin-exposed nerves send a train of impulses. This excitation occurs because Permethrin blocks the movement of sodium ions from outside to inside of the nerve cells. Permethrin mode of action is similar to that of the organochlorine insecticide DDT. In layman's terms, the bug's nervous system shorts out and they die.

It is important to note that Permethrin products have been used with apparent safety for many years, and Permethrin has been shown over long term studies to have no side effects in humans. Caution must be taken however, with this and all other dangerous compounds. If you drink it, it can kill you.

Other information and resources:

Dr. MacIntyre gave a presentation at the 2001 American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Dr. MacIntyre is an Assistant Professor in the Department of International Health and Development of the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine of Tulane University in New Orleans. Her Primary Research Areas are Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV Control, Health Systems Analysis, International Health Policy Analysis, and Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methodologies. She has provided consultant services to the United Nations, USAID, and WHO. I will attempt to contact her for more information as it relates to this test. Her presentation on the use of Permethrin is very informative, and is available here: http://www.deet.com/2001%20Repellent%20Symposium/macintyre.html

The International Chemical Safety Card is available from the CDC website here: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsneng/neng0312.html

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ABOUT DEET

DEET was developed by the US government in 1951 after testing 11,000 compounds for their effectiveness in repelling insects. It is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an insect repellent, and no other substance has been found to be more effective. Repellents with DEET are used by an estimated 200 million people worldwide each year, including 100 million individuals in America. According to a bulletin issued by the EPA in 1989, less than 10 reports of adverse side effects are received annually, and most of these stem from repeated use on children

The CDC has reported isolated cases of seizures that may have been associated with the use of DEET. The report can be found here: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001475.htm The incidence of side effects from the use of DEET are insignificant, however, compared to the incidence and seriousness of diseases caused by biting insects. DEET should NOT be used on children under 2 years of age, and only sparingly on children under 10.

Please visit http://www.deet.com for more information on DEET.

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Thank you for your time.

Shane Steinkamp
shane@theplacewithnoname.com
www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking