Thanks Guys, Well yesterday i was like a kid with his chemistry set. I am working on a new version of Repel, with a midge / tick repellent added. I have managed to get one where the mix does not separate out, which is kind of phase 1 completed, that was a major concern, as although it never separates in normal use, a change in PH can make it separate. I treated my own trousers, hat and smock, and then tested the water repelling aspect of it, and that is still working perfectly and unchanged, i was concerned that it may have some interaction, but that appears to be fine. I think i may increase the active ingredient of the water repellent, as i think the insect repellent certainly diluted it a bit, but that will be easy enough to do.
Next phase was to make sure the water repellent does not coat or cloak the insect repellent, and i found that the new mix certainly kills flies and spiders, and when wet on my jacket, dispersed a wee swarm of midges under the trees in my garden, however that was with the coating still wet and uncured. That fact it works wet is no surprise - its like saying an insect repellent repels insects, that is not really a surprise. So the next stage is to see how well it works now it is fully cured. I need to confirm that the water repellent does not coat or cloak the insects, so next week i have 3 days shooting organised, and hope to pick us a couple of deer to see how the tick behave when dropped onto the jacket, that will be really interesting, and i hope it works well. I have some fabric treated with the insect repellent only and will compare the results, to see if there is a difference. Our problem is we just dont have the funding to pay for expensive trials, and am not actually bothered about looking into it, it will either work or it will not. We will do a load of work on the safety and toxicity of it, again, i am sure it is fine as the test fluid was simply commercially available tick and midge repellent, and i just diluted it with my Repel mix instead of water, so unless there is some interaction i am missing it will be as safe as the commercially available insect repellent.
I am not sure if it will ever be a product we will sell, or if i will just use it myself and let my stalking friends use it, the testing and product liability costs could be huge, and i am not sure if we could be sued, if as an example someone got lymes whilst wearing treated clothing. I am guessing no, but it may not be worth the hassle. Anyway, i was just puddling about with it and hope it works, i will keep you posted with any results i can achieve next week - good or bad.
