Clothing Sprays

Permethrin sprays for clothes are an option

Permethrin is an insecticide that actually kills insects, rather than a repellent whose vapor keeps them away. So permethrin-treated clothing can kill ticks before they have a chance to embed themselves in the skin. Some reviews recommend augmenting personal insect repellent applied to the skin with additional protection from permethrin sprayed on clothing. For most people this is overkill, but it can be useful on a long hiking trip. Storing the treated clothing in a plastic bag between wearings can make the treatment last even longer than the usual two weeks (the permethrin remains in the fabric for about two weeks and lasts through washings).

Sawyer Permethrin Pump Spray (*Est. $11.50 for 6 oz.) is an example of such a spray for clothing. Note that it's intended only for clothes or mosquito netting, not for skin. Although it's a botanical product derived from chrysanthemums, reviews say permethrin isn't considered safe to spray directly on skin. Sprayed clothing must be dried for several hours before it's worn.

As with DEET, there's some controversy about whether or not it's safe to use permethrin-treated clothing. Some articles recommend using it in combination with DEET for maximum protection, while others assert that this combination only magnifies the health risks of each. Authorities say such risks should be weighed against the risks of insect-borne diseases, so it depends on the individual situation.

We found just one review recommending clothing made with permethrin already embedded in the fabric. Compared with the judicious use of mosquito netting and insect repellent, this is an expensive route to take, and it would still leave face and hands exposed to bites. Ex Officio, a Seattle-based clothing company, manufactures a line of clothing, including products like the Baja Long-Sleeve Shirt (*Est. $75). TheGearJunkie.com blogger Stephen Regenold tried multiple items from the competing Buzz Off clothing line and reports that they worked for him. Conversely, a reviewer testing insect repellents for Backpacker magazine reports that he was bitten through a heavy Buzz Off sweatshirt right away.