My last trip north to the hunting land was an exercise in collecting wood and deer ticks. Lots of deer ticks!
Now I am going up there to plant trees and sprayed my clothes with Repel Permathone(?) and the warnings about skin contact are scary.

I didn't see any warnings about wearing treated clothes when it gets wet from sweat or soaked from rain. Anyone research this before?

It's supposed to hold it's effectiveness through a couple washes even, so it should work. Repel says this, "This product contains an active ingredient, which actually binds to the fabric being treated, providing residual protection which lasts a minimum of two weeks and holds up through several machine washing. Do not re-treat clothing more than once every two weeks."
However, I've heard of people saying after a lot of sweat and other wet it lasts only a week.
After it dries it's not supposed harmful.

I've used Repel on 11 day BWCA treks and as far as I could tell it worked up through the last day. During one of those trips we had 8 days of rain.
As far as skin contact goes- I wouldn't spray it on my body, it's not designed for personal use, however I'm not concerned with skin contact too much. Reasoning- the active ingredient, permethrin, is basically the essence of marigold flowers.

A bit off the subject, but if you plant a veggie garden, plant a border of marigolds and it will help deter insects.

Reasoning- the active ingredient, permethrin, is basically the essence of marigold flowers.


Apologize for the wrong term, but the active ingredient is pyrethrin.
Permethrin is the synthesized version of the chemical.

Permithrin claims to "bind" to the material. I think its more likely that one it dries, it has very low solubility and just doesn't wet and leach out. I've used both the wash in version, the spray on, and last year bought a bottle of KillZone? at Homedepot for about 8 bucks. Mixed it up, washed all our clothes in it and have enough left to treat for this years trip. I think the wash in is supposed to be the most effective. Yes, lots of warnings, but what doesn't. Ever read a package insert for a med? Keeps the sue happy public busy. I like the stuff, seems to be effective and I'm at least or more comfortable with it. If you're worried about contact, how do you compare it with spraying Deet products directly on your skin.
gets down to personal choice.

The active ingredient is very safe to mammals, people, dogs, cats, etc. But there is the possiblity of skin irritation in some folks. Some people get a rash or skin irritation from this family of insecticide's. It will not harm you just make you uncomfortable if it happens. It is kind of an itching burning tingly or prickly feeling. Ussually only when the straight product comes in contact with the skin before it's dried. Once on clothes and dry not much of an issue ussually. Not something to be scared of at all.
SunCatcher

We have used the spray Permethrin the last 3 years with very good results. It works our entire trip and we do rinse out our clothing often. I hate DEET and it doesn't work as well. We still use a bit of bug spray with DEET in early morning and evenings, but it is minimal. DEET also has side effects. Not to mention West Nile, Lyme, erlichiosis, and human anaplasmosis can have serious consequences for people. So I will continue with the Premethrin - best solution we have found so far.

For direct skin contact, I've been using a lemon eucalyptus repellant with good results.
It doesn't appear to be as long lasting as DEET, but it doesn't stink (it actually smells good, compared to me after a week out there!) and it doesn't burn as much when you get it on your eyelids.

I sent Repel and email on this, but no response yet. Nothing on the website about wet treated clothes.
Thanks for the responses and you've eased my concerns.
This will be a good test if I use this stuff on my clothes for my mid-June trip. I'm thinking the ticks may be somewhat "burned off" by then with our dry & hot spring.

H

Once it is dry, it is non-irritating to the skin, and sweat will not affect it. It will last at least two weeks. Great stuff. I buy the 36% solution at our local farmer's Co-Op, dilute it down to 0.5%, and soak our clothes in it. We also spray the tent with it- never a problem with bugs in the tent. Don't worry, it is very safe.