Do you use permethrin?

[scrope]

I'm also not going to trust the "6 washes" thing much. After washing shirts, they're getting sprayed again before a trip. On a day hike, I can chance it, but not after driving 4 hours to spend 4 days in the woods.

I'm also a bit wary about the 6 times but the US Army says an application by soak method is good for the life of their uniforms so maybe soaking really does work for a long time.

[TominMN]

I'm also a bit wary about the 6 times but the US Army says an application by soak method is good for the life of their uniforms so maybe soaking really does work for a long time.

Or maybe it says something about what the army considers the life expectancy of their uniforms!

[OneClick]

We have a lot of permethrin threads and discussion, so this may have been mentioned already. Just saw this on a vendor's Q&A for the Martins 10%:

Q:
Can Martins Permethrin 10% be used to spray clothing?

A:
Martins Permethrin 10% should NOT be applied to clothing. We do carry Tick Block which is specifically formulated for use on clothing. While both products do contain permethrin, the formulation of Martins Permethrin 10% contains materials that should not come into contact with your skin.

Oops! Well, maybe I'll keep doing it anyway? Maybe they don't know jack and they're just trying to keep liability down?

[brettwasbtd]

I use the same as Brian Miller. That's what the instructions stated on the common 10% Martins and what everyone else here said. 20:1

Technically 19 parts water and 1 part 10% permethrin should give you .5% concentration

We have a lot of permethrin threads and discussion, so this may have been mentioned already. Just saw this on a vendor's Q&A for the Martins 10%:

Q:
Can Martins Permethrin 10% be used to spray clothing?

A:
Martins Permethrin 10% should NOT be applied to clothing. We do carry Tick Block which is specifically formulated for use on clothing. While both products do contain permethrin, the formulation of Martins Permethrin 10% contains materials that should not come into contact with your skin.

Oops! Well, maybe I'll keep doing it anyway? Maybe they don't know jack and they're just trying to keep liability down?

I read that as I can't put the full strength 10% on my clothes... if diluting it's fine

[scrope]

We have a lot of permethrin threads and discussion, so this may have been mentioned already. Just saw this on a vendor's Q&A for the Martins 10%:

Q:
Can Martins Permethrin 10% be used to spray clothing?

A:
Martins Permethrin 10% should NOT be applied to clothing. We do carry Tick Block which is specifically formulated for use on clothing. While both products do contain permethrin, the formulation of Martins Permethrin 10% contains materials that should not come into contact with your skin.

Oops! Well, maybe I'll keep doing it anyway? Maybe they don't know jack and they're just trying to keep liability down?

It may be because it contains petroleum instead of water as a suspension carrier. Also 10% is way, way over what the dilution you would need. I imagine it would work as an insecticide but be very wasteful.

[Lebreton]

Sprayed my gear down for a scout summer camp in Mississippi and did not have a single bite

[professrh]

I bought a bottle of the stuff on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1) a couple of years ago, but never got around to using it. Started the day after I came back from a July afternoon in the woods with about 150 seed ticks on my left foot. Treated socks, pants, tee shirts, shirts . . . and took treated clothes on my first hammock backpacking trip (in the Adirondacks) a few days later. No ticks. No trouble with mosquitoes. No plans to venture into the woods without protection.

By the way, I didn't really notice any unpleasant odor with this version of the stuff. I'd forgive it if it did stink, though--as long as it kept the ticks away.

[BillyBob58]

We have a lot of permethrin threads and discussion, so this may have been mentioned already. Just saw this on a vendor's Q&A for the Martins 10%:

Q:
Can Martins Permethrin 10% be used to spray clothing?

A:
Martins Permethrin 10% should NOT be applied to clothing. We do carry Tick Block which is specifically formulated for use on clothing. While both products do contain permethrin, the formulation of Martins Permethrin 10% contains materials that should not come into contact with your skin.

Oops! Well, maybe I'll keep doing it anyway? Maybe they don't know jack and they're just trying to keep liability down?

Scrugg's sells Martin's, but they also sell Hi-Yield- which I have used- that also comes in an indoor/outdoor variety. Since it can be used on mattresses, I imagine it would be OK on clothing. I have used it. But it still has some petroleum distillates and I have noticed the occassional oilyspots on some of my gear,and some odor though less than the outdor only stuff.. So I just stick to Sawyer's. Sometimes find it on sale.
"To Control Carpet Beetles:
Spray edges of carpeting and under carpeting and rugs. Make local-
ized application to floor and baseboards. Spray directly into cracks,
closets and infested areas of shelving. Repeat treatment as needed
but not more often than once every 2 weeks.
To Control Bedbugs:
Spray mattresses lightly, particularly around tufts and seams. Take
beds apart and spray in all joints. Treat baseboards, moldings and
floors. Repeat treatment as needed but not more often than once
every 2 weeks. Allow all treated articles to thoroughly dry before
use. After the mattress is dry, cover with mattress cover and sheet.
Do not use mattress without cover.
To Control Fleas And Ticks (Adult And Larvae):
Thoroughly spray infested areas, pet beds, resting quarters, nearby
cracks and crevices, along and behind baseboards, moldings, win-
dow and door frames, and localized areas of floor and floor covering',

[BillyBob58]

I bought a bottle of the stuff on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1) a couple of years ago, but never got around to using it. Started the day after I came back from a July afternoon in the woods with about 150 seed ticks on my left foot. Treated socks, pants, tee shirts, shirts . . . and took treated clothes on my first hammock backpacking trip (in the Adirondacks) a few days later. No ticks. No trouble with mosquitoes. No plans to venture into the woods without protection.

By the way, I didn't really notice any unpleasant odor with this version of the stuff. I'd forgive it if it did stink, though--as long as it kept the ticks away.

This stuff may be even better than the brands I have been using, because it is also useful for avoiding demons before a full exorcism is called for:
"Be extra careful when spraying demon around dark furniture and surface for it will leave a stain "

[BillyBob58]

This is def for clothing, 1 gallon of pre mixed 0.5% in a sprayer, 1 gallon (40 complete outfits) $45, 6 oz(2 outfits) $13

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TNYPQY4...00TNYPQY4&th=1


But 12 oz Sawyer's is only $10, 48 oz is $30, so I would stick with that if buying less than a gallon, or unless mixing my own, which is much cheaper. Where diluting the concentrate to 12 oz would probably only cost about 50 cents. Still, I usually prefer the Sawyers on my clothes and gear, to each his own. My yard gets the diluted concentrate.