I've heard great things about this product, and I'm thinking about using it this summer. However, numerous souces have said that it is toxic to fish. I'm curious if it can transfer into the lakes, rivers, and streams from our clothes? If so, I'd rather just deal with the bugs instead of harming the fish.

The following link has a bunch of info on the subject. http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/permethrin_fs.htm

I'd love to hear what everyone thinks.

Personally, I do believe it is harmful to fish. However, I still spray my most of my clothes, just not my swimming suit.

Can't comment on the harm to fish.

I always treat my clothes. I've traveled with others who don't and I've seen the difference. At the end of the day (or even during lunch stops) they would be covered with ticks. (This was on a late May trip). I wouldn't have any on me.

Just don't tip over.

I can't imagine that the small amount you would have on your clothing could have an impact on the fish. I find the Permethrin to be very effective against ticks, and if it can help me avoid the diseases that ticks can carry, you can bet I'll be using. it.

It's toxic to fish and cats. Don't apply it around felines or outdoors by open water. It poses the most danger when it is in the liquid form being applied. Once dried, not much to be concerned about. I've found this very effective on ticks as well.

I was on that May trip 'PJ' talks about. Made a permethrin believer out of me! A photo reminder of that trip.

butthead

Started using it this past year for SAR missions and find it works as claimed. this is potent stuff and should not be applied directly on your skin.

Pemethrin Fact Sheet

Permethrin

Is a Synthetic Pyrethroid Chemistry.
This chemical family was discovered many years ago and was first synthesized from chrysanthemums. So originally it was an organic compound...but we, "man" had to figure out a way to chemically "copy" it and make it useable.
Bottom line it is truly a Fairly safe product. It can cause some skin irritation, but depends on the individual (itching or rash most common) (Will go away and cause little to NO concern mostly cosmetic in nature) Don't Spray it around streams or ponds. but the low active ingredients you would acquire on your clothing, I feel would be very non-threatening to the BWCA environment in such low dosage. this Chemistry's degradation in the environment is partially broken down by photo decomposition (SUNLIGHT) So, where you have a lot of Sunlight , the quicker this chemistry degrades in the environment.
Not an expert...but this is one area I know well.
SunCatcher

If you read the report it talks about crop dusting with the stuff is harmful to fish. I will be spraying about 3 oz max of the stuff on my clothes, not gallons of the stuff. The label says that it is good for 8 washings so the amount that would come off is very small. I cant be positive but common sense says if it is ok to be next to my skin it will be fine.

Great discussion everyone. Thanks for the info.

C

Agreed--The LC50 (concentration at which half the test subjects died) for various species of fish is between 0.5 and 315 ug/L (MSDS). Based on the concentration of permethrin present in the spray (0.05 ug/L), how quickly it breaks down in water (2-4 day half-life depending on presence of sunlight), and its near insolubility in water (extoxnet), it is highly unlikely that dipping permethrin-treated pants into the water could produce a concentration high enough to be fatal to the fish.

Seems logical. Thanks, I'll sleep better tonight :)

This stuff sounds great. Where do I get some?

Nearly anyplace that sells bug sprays

I have used it for three years now. Last summer one of my buddies decided not to use it and saw more bugs than I did. Made a real believer out of me. I take care when I apply it. I work in a well ventilated area, usually outside, I wear gloves and a mask. Just a bit of precaution.

From everything I have read, once it is dried, it is of little concern to humans and animals. It can go through the wash a few times without losing its impact, so I would say even an accidental dip in a lake shouldn't be an issue. Just be careful and safe with the liquid form.