Cutter Advanced / picaridin

“I recently hear another hiker on another forum mention an insect repellent that is said to be as good as deet - picaridin sold in the USA as Cutter Advanced. What I was wondering was if any TTer has had any real life experience with the product and could comment on the product before I try to find some for myself. My dislike of deet is such that I rather go without than to use it but this new stuff sounds to be a much nicer product. Now I know this sounds a lot like spam but all I really want is some feedback from people I trust to give me the real skinny - is this stuff any good or is it all hype?”

“Did you mean "permethrin" or "picaridin"”

“Wow!! I don't use DEET unless absolutely necessary either. This sound like it might just work.

www.picaridin.com
It is amazing what you can find with a search engine.

How does it work?
The repellent effect is triggered by the action of a given substance on specific olfactory receptors of the insects. In simple language, it forms a barrier on your skin, blocking an insect’s ability to locate you.

Chemical properties






Empirical formula


Chemical Name
1-Piperidinecarboxylic acid, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-, 1-methylpropylester

Commercial Name
Bayrepel®, KBR 3023

Common name
Picaridin

ELINCS number
423-210-8

CAS Registry no.
119515-38-7

Relative Molecular Mass
229.3 g/Mol

Form
liquid, clear

Solidifying point
< -170° C

Viscosity
30.7 sec. flow time according to DIN 53211

Initial boiling point
296° C at 1013 hPA

Vapour pressure
3.4 x 10 exp - 4hPa at 20° C


5.9 x 10 exp - 4hPa at 25° C


7.1 x 10 exp - 3hPa at 50° C

Irritation non-irritant
Color
Colorless - brownish

Odor
Nearly odorless

Purity of technical grade
Mm 97.0

Flashpoint
142° C

Density
1.07g/m3 at 20° C

Solubility:


-In Water
8.6 g/l at 20° C

-In Acetone 7250 g/l at 20° C
-Storage Conditions
store at room temperature



Testing
Efficacy: Picaridin was tested against mosquitoes, flies and ticks in both field studies and in laboratory cage tests. Against certain strains of mosquitoes, Picaridin provides equal or longer protection than identical concentrations of DEET. Efficacy against ticks has been demonstrated in laboratory cage tests.
Cosmetics: Picaridin has been successfully tested with dermatologist. It will not cause irritations on your skin and is nearly odorless.

The affect of Picaridin on various materials was also tested and results showed that Picaridin has no adverse affect on plastics, synthetics, plastic coatings and sealants.”

“where can you get it...I need a case.”

“well it is available at REI - link - but I suspect that it may be generally available if not sold out at most "outdoor" stores except in the state of New York - availability there will be sometime this summer the website indicates”

“So it keeps them from sensing the CO2 that our skin gives off. Is that it in a nutshell? Interesting.”

“As aggrivating as a mosquito is the whole CO2 factor is amazing. I went river platform camping last month. They weren't too bad until dusk..then they swarmed feeding. I got in the tent and I know there were thousands on the outside, under the fly, on the mesh everywhere just tryin to get in. So many the cumulative buzzing was like a bumble bee. In about an hour they left. then like clock work as the sun was coming up the next morning..the same thing. Amazing.
last edited: 6/22/05 8:05:19 AM”

“Someone test this stuff and report back. I'm not going to, you all be the quinea pigs. Until then I'll stick with DEET, because it works.

Why's everyone so afraid of DEET? You'll be alright as long as you don't drink it!”

“1. I don't like the way deet smells
2. I don't like the way deet feels on my skin
3. I don't like the way deet eats plastics

but I am not "afraid" of deet - I just don't like it”

“HOI DEET is your friend, DEET loves you...”

“I was in Food Lion tonight and saw that they had an introductory offer for Cutter Advanced - one larger and one small pump bottle for a combine price of approx $5 so I picked up a set - the small bottle should be just about right for backpacking - I'll let you know how I like the stuff”

“DEET is so godawful. I just take the biting. When I use DEET I end up basically with hives, my skin won't quit itching/burning. And never mind if it rolls in your eyes. Eek!”

“Do any of you guys from the South have personal experience with how well Picaridin-based repellents work against chiggers?”

“can't say as I have any experience that way - I treat my clothes with permanone and very rarely have any chigger bites as a result”

“I have used it and found it worked well keeping the skeeters away. Doesn't smell bad like deet. I haven't had a problem with chiggers since my old annual blackberry pickin' days for my mom.

Back then we used coal oil on our clothes to keep them off.”

“i like vanilla”

“It works but doesn't last nearly as long as DEET. I use the Permethrin products on my clothing for all kinds of biting bugs, but misquitos will bit you before the permethrin has time to work on them (it kills them, it does not repel them.)”

“I've used it. Seems to work about as well as a repellent as normal DEET in a "deep woods off" type spray formation. Doesn't melt stuff like DEET. Smells different than DEET.

However I use the 3M Ultrathon cream with a time release DEET for real hikes, haven't seen the new stuff with a similar mil-spec formulation yet.”