Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent

Bottom line

If you're venturing into the great outdoors and could be exposed not only to swarms of bugs but potentially dangerous diseases like West Nile Virus, Lyme disease or malaria, a spray or lotion for your skin may not offer enough protection. Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent is a powerful repellent (and killer) of insects that can be used on clothing, tents, sleeping bags and other items made of synthetic materials.

Performance

Repels and kills bugs. Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent is popular with campers and outdoor enthusiasts because it can be used on clothing, tents and other outdoor gear to repel and kill ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers, mites and more than 55 other kinds of insects. The product can get expensive, however: a bottle covers four outfits (shirt, trousers and socks) and lasts for six washes or six weeks.

Because permethrin isn't safe for the skin, the label states that sprayed clothing must be dried completely before it's worn. While it doesn't have professional reviews, consumers say it's very effective at fending off ticks and preventing bites from mosquitoes, flies and chiggers even in the harshest and most humid environments.

Feel and smell

Odorless synthetic protection. One of the things consumers like best about Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent is that it's hardly noticeable. The scent isn't pleasant when it's first applied, but once dried it's odorless. There aren't any complaints about it irritating skin once it's dried, but again, Sawyer advises keeping the product away from your skin.

A few say the spray bottle drips, and so disposable gloves should be worn during application to keep the permethrin off your hands. It absorbs well but one reviewer had an issue with it staying on her waterproof clothing. It doesn't stain or discolor materials.