Remaining permethrin ?

**noldhor** · 06-24-2018, 13:31

Hi everyone !

Ive just soaked some cloathes in permethrin, martin 10% diluted to 0.5%.

The remaining permethrin in my bucket turned black. Is it reusable ?

**SilvrSurfr** · 06-24-2018, 13:50

Turned black? That ain't normal. Then again, I've never left my permethrin mixture exposed to the air (always inside a spray bottle or garden sprayer), and I always use it up within a week or so.

**noldhor** · 06-24-2018, 14:30

In the martin bottle the permethrin was ok, sort of yellow color, but after soaking my clothes, the permethrin turned black, maybe the ink of my cloathes, or bugnet ?

Im wondering if the already used permethrin will remain effective if I use it later, 1 or 2 months...

Last year I kept it too in a spay bottle and used it a week or 2 later.

**SilvrSurfr** · 06-24-2018, 14:49

Ahh - probably the ink in the clothes. Polyester doesn't bleed - are these cotton clothes?

In my experience, once mixed with water, the permethrin can lose its effectiveness in as little as three weeks. If you mix it, spray or soak the clothes, then the permethrin dries, you can get a few months out of it.

**Five Tango** · 06-24-2018, 16:08

I use my leftover treatment water to spray fireants and other critters in my yard.

**rhjanes** · 06-24-2018, 16:57

Mine also turned black. It was in a 5 gallon bucket, lid on, probably just a quart was left. It sort of got a film in it and was blackish. I didn't notice that for several months as I wasn't "watching" the bucket contents. I just poured it along a foundation. It kills termites..... Next batch I make, I'll just pour out when I'm done treating.

**noldhor** · 06-24-2018, 17:04

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

Ahh - probably the ink in the clothes. Polyester doesn't bleed - are these cotton clothes?

In my experience, once mixed with water, the permethrin can lose its effectiveness in as little as three weeks. If you mix it, spray or soak the clothes, then the permethrin dries, you can get a few months out of it.

Yes, going to a 3 days canoe-camping this week, going to take it relax on the camp so yes, I treated some coton t-shirts.

My martin's permethrin bottle is empty so I guess I have to get a new one if I want to threat my clothes again in a 5 or 6 weeks.
Maybe it will last but I prefer to treat it again, im a real mosquitoes magnet

**LuvmyBonnet** · 06-24-2018, 17:28

Originally Posted by noldhor

im a real mosquitoes magnet

I haven't tried it yet but I've heard about taking Apple Cider Vinegar to repel mozzies. I got some tablets I'm going to see if it helps up in Algonquin.

**scrope** · 06-25-2018, 13:29

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

In my experience, once mixed with water, the permethrin can lose its effectiveness in as little as three weeks. If you mix it, spray or soak the clothes, then the permethrin dries, you can get a few months out of it.

I'm curious as to what the water is doing to the Permethrin to make it lose effectiveness when you mix it. According to Sawyer, Permethrin can be stored indefinitely and what we buy is already diluted and not pure Permethrin.

**<-Pointer** · 06-25-2018, 13:59

Yes, perfectly normal and you can still use it as long as the die isn't a problem. A soak will pick up some die from your clothes (especially if they are new/haven't been washed before.) Fire ant piles or the base of your foundation are also good uses for leftovers. A lot of professional pest removal companies use permethrin and it is an approved use.