How Permethrin Clothing and Spray Can Help Prevent Tick Bites

[@mawage666]

I've been putting permethrin on my socks and shoes and lower pant legs for about a decade now. I play a LOT of disc golf and this stuff has been a game changer.

[@3nertia]

Has no one done a study on more natural repellants?

[@kriegjaeger]

Probably not but given people have been dealing with ticks for thousands of years, I'm sure the information exists. I know in particular, pungent herbs tend to deter most forms of insects given their reliance on smell (Pheremones and the like) but ticks hunt very passively, generally clinging and waiting. Not sure what could cause them to abandon something they've caught.

[@Ratlins9]

Pyrethrum is the natural occurring insecticide found in chrysanthemums but much more expensive than the synthetic version (permethrin). It’s not cost effective to market the natural form. Even the naturally occurring Pyrethrum can be toxic if absorbed, inhaled, ingested in too large a quantity. Dosage determines toxicity.

[@kriegjaeger]

Sounds like could make something from mums!

[@WillyK51]

He, He, It depends on how serious the bug nuisance is. For summer back yard grill, Hiking a bit of OFF/Deep Woods or some natural repellant works. But in Serious outdoors, tick ridden, Swarm mosquito clouds.- You need serious repellants. Back when no Permetrin, would spray clothing with regular roach/ant bug spray. Air out and on, 100% DEET on exposed skin, Back of hands, Neck, Ears and face(Stay away from eyes and mouth) 100% DEET melts plastics

[@RidiPwn]

I've used bugout gators over the years and never caught anything. They wrap up your ankle all the way up to the pants shielding off any contact with skin. Wouldn't be better just to put Permethrin into a water solution and dip shoe bottoms in it once a month? I am not crazy about sprays, especially on clothes since permethrin is a pyrethroid that can be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through skin.

[@RidiPwn]

@B Complex lots of good points, thanks for the tips

[@JackPackInTheWoods]

After having chronic Lyme disease for 20 yrs & just recently having another go round thanks to a seed tick I missed, I'm ready to take my chance with the dose of preventive chemicals!!

[@robertmencl9169]

I am not sure that Permethrin, which is oil based, would be soluble in water But I am a fan of that repellent.

[@WillyK51]

Ticks crawl up plants to waist height and overhead. Have had them on my hair from above

[@BrianBrawdy]

ABSO on my "Go-to gear" list.

[@amiabledave50]

What percentage of Permethrin should you look for. I've seen it as high as 10% or in a spray bottle .05%

[@SurvivalSavvvy]

I use Permethrin SFR 36.8% which I buy from solutionsstores. I then use 1 ounce to a gallon. I spray everything and soak my cloths in a 5 gallon pail and toss it on the line. Remember when wet it will hurt cats when dry its fine. I spray it on my dogs legs and belly when going in. Dogs are fine. I have videos on it.

[@colettejaques2559]

​@@SurvivalSavvvyit's not safe on dogs legs....they lick their legs......

[@SurvivalSavvvy]

@@colettejaques2559 When I get out of the truck I spray her legs and we walk with my pack on my back. She can not lick her legs. It drys quickly in 5 min. Been doing it her whole life and shes 9 now.

[@LukeRanieri]

Thank you so much for this expert info!

[@JamesMichael333]

Once you have lyme disease, does it matter if you’re bit by any future ticks that may or may not have it?

[@charlesgunzelman3323]

There's other similar diseases that can be.caught from multiple kinds of ticks.

[@JamesMichael333]

@@charlesgunzelman3323 ok. Ya lets somehow get ticks and mosquitoes to go extinct. That would be nice and make camping more pleasurable

[@Bristecom]

@@JamesMichael333 I've always said, nature would be so much more beautiful and enjoyable if it weren't for bugs/spiders. I don't even mind snakes and such, but bugs that can hurt humans often make going out miserable. I know we can do things to minimize it these days but still, it is very annoying to deal with. I want to move back into the desert where there's less bugs.

[@JackPackInTheWoods]

@JamesMitchell333 YES you can get it more than once! Unfortunately I'm living proof.

[@richardkujala2166]

Beg to differ regarding ticks in trees. In constructing a pole barn, I was 10 feet off the ground setting trusses when I noticed no less than 12 ticks on a birch tree branch. Rising CO2 may very well be the trigger to fall, not eye sight.

[@donaldblank8873]

And ticks are attracted to deodorant Cologne and perfume.

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you

[@hikerinpam33]

Is it safe????? You are gloved up... What happens if your clothes get wet.... What aee the side affects if any.... Can someone talk about this

[@caterthun4853]

I am in the UK where it's ticks are not usually carrying disease. I am a regular walking in tick infected areas. Have found wearing ankle boot gaters sprayed with ”fly killer" effective. Also after day out take look during shower at areas top legs behind knees . And be careful where you sit when out.

[@flowergirlabc123]

Never seen these clothing types in any outdoor stores etc. By Nov 2024,Canada is banning ALL SALES of this product even the Safers brand as told to us by our local nursery. I cannot be around the stuff for medical reasons but sure wouldn't want it worn by my children. Wish it WAS a safe product because I'd certainly use it!

[@WillyK51]

Well, Long ago, Before Permetrin, I used regular Roach/Ant bug spray on clothing, Hang outside and spray on(Socks included) Let air out, and on, Exposed skin, Hands,Neck,Ears,Face(Avoid eyes and mouth) 100%Deet. 73 and no Cancer or Alzheimer, or whatever, so far. For mild bug nuisance, Off/deep woods etc works. Earlier, when tick ridden(Seriously ridden) after hunting, would strip and we would Bug spray body from head to toes, stand for 1 min and rush to soap shover. Permetrin will last for a few cloth washings

[@sasquatchhimself]

How many times can i wash clothes that are treated before i have to treat them again

[@InsectShieldTech]

If you get our built-in treated clothes, they are EPA registered to last through 70washes. If you spray our own clothes with permethrin spray, they will last a handfull of washes.

[@TentoesMe]

Since I am always barefoot, I put DEET on my skin and pemetherin on my clothes.

[@MJ-qt4dm]

► Inhaling Permethrin can irritate the nose, throat and lungs. ► Exposure to Permethrin can cause headache, dizziness, fatigue, excessive salivation, muscle weakness, nausea and vomiting. ► Permethrin may affect the liver.

[@flowergirlabc123]

And as of Nov 2024, our nursery warned us that none of those products with pyrithrins, will be legal to use or sell in Canada. She had no suggestions on alternatives. (carcinogenic anyway)

[@dougsteenhuis3700]

Why not make a natural laundry detergent with permethrin, that way your clothes always has it

[@SurvivalSavvvy]

I add Permethrin SFR 36.8% to 1 ounce to 1 gallon. I make a 5 gallon pail up and soak the cloths. I do not wring them out. I just toss them on the line

[@ScottWilliams323]

The TIck Guy rules!

[@GreatLakesGirl311]

Cost for getting clothes treated by Insect Shield starts at $9.00 PER item, and shipping is Not included! That is definitely not more cost effective than spraying clothes at home, especially for more than one person. No thanks, spraying clothes yourself is the best way to go.

[@InsectShieldTech]

Our built-in treatment is EPA registered to last through 70 washes. While permethrin spray last through 3-6 washes. Another option for getting your clothes treated by us is to purchase an Easy Pack. Essentially you'll fill the Easy Pack bag with as many items as you want, which can often be a cheaper way to get your clothing treated vs our per piece option. Hope this helps.

[@FaithMerry-m3x]

Opps i didnt read directions and sprayed on my body like deet!!!! Am i going to die

[@biketothetop]

Secretly spraying a carcinogen his whole family's shoes without their knowledge😢

[@Deuce_Allan]

Permethrin is a flower in the Daisy family

[@Haramyst]

Acknowledged as safe for human use as directed by various agencies. Look it up. Then, look up the potential lifelong repercussions of NOT using this treatment. Which is the better choice for your family? It's an obvious decision for mine.

[@delphicdescant]

@@Haramyst You're right, but lots of people aren't good enough at critical thinking to be convinced, unfortunately. They remain firmly rooted in "chemical bad" mindsets, and if any agency tells them something is safe, it triggers their conspiratorial thinking instead of reassuring them. If you press them enough, they'll weave some elaborate story about how regulatory agencies are all secretly controlled by the chemical-loving lizard people or something.

[@Haramyst]

to weareinflames i cant say you're wrong, i just believe its the better of the two risks for me. indeed its a personal risk assessment, and unfortunately, no process is perfect or without bias. I wish we could trust our government and agencies more. ☹️ But its the world we live in. All considered, i strongly trust that those crawling little nasties WILL wreck our lives if we take no measures.

[@JackPackInTheWoods]

@Haramyst I agree! Good analysis. I speak from years experience living with the aftermath of chronic tickborne illness. Yep, I'd take my chances with occasional wisely applied chemical application over chronic daily disability any time!