How Permethrin Can Help Repel Ticks and Prevent Tick Bites

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"So when we talk to people about personal protection against tick bites, often what will come up is using topical repellent products like DEET, picaridin, eucalyptus oil. Those products are great, especially against mosquitoes. Less good, and less effective against ticks.” 

- Dr. Thomas Mather, Tick Expert, University of Rhode Island Tick Encounter Resource Center

Expert Recommended Tick Repellent: Permethrin Helps Prevent Ticks

Because of its long-lasting nature, Dr. Thomas Mather recommends permethrin treated clothing to help repel tick bites. When clothes are treated with permethrin, ticks may grab on, but after a few seconds of exposure, they will generally fall off. You can get a variety of insect repellent clothing that is already treated, spray your own clothing and gear with permethrin spray, or send in your clothes using the Insect Shield Your Clothes program, and we’ll treat them for you. 

Top Benefits of Permethrin Treated Clothing:

  • Long-lasting
  • Don’t have to reapply it every time you step outside
  • Effective
  • Odorless
  • Invisible

Spray your shoes with permethrin spray

Nymphal and larval stage ticks latch on at shoe level, so spraying your shoes with permethrin spray can help reduce tick attachments. Dr. Mather recommends you do this once a month.

Headed out and don’t have time to get permethrin-treated clothing or spray, consider Dr. Thomas Mather’s 4 quick tips to repel ticks and prevent tick bites.

How Effective is Permethrin on Shoes

According to Dr. Thomas Mather, people wearing permethrin-treated shoes had a 74 times protection against tick attachment than people wearing untreated footwear. This shows the immense protective power of permethrin, and suggests that it is an essential part of tick prevention. For long lasting solutions to insect repellent use permethrin spray on your shoes and wear clothing with built-in permethrin.

[Related Article: Learn How to Use Permethrin on Clothing Safely]

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