Permethrin is an insecticide that was developed and tested by the U.S. military for use on uniforms. When permethrin is applied to clothing, shoes, bed nets, or camping gear, the treated fabric repels or kills biting insects, including ticks that may carry West Nile virus or Rocky Mountain spotted fever and mosquitoes that may carry Lyme disease or malaria. When permethrin dries, it bonds to the cloth fiber or mesh netting and is odorless and nonstaining. It also has exceptional resistance to degradation by sunlight (UV), heat, and water. Furthermore, permethrin is water based, biodegradable, and virtually nontoxic to humans, with no systemic effects reported. One treatment can last for 2 weeks to several months, depending on the method of application.

The CDC recommends using an insect repellent that contains N,N-diethylmetatoluamide (DEET) as an active ingredient. DEET repels mosquitoes, ticks, and other arthropods when applied to the skin. Insect repellents are available in different concentrations. It should be noted that the more DEET a repellent contains, the longer time it can protect against insect bites. Higher concentrations are not necessarily better than lower concentrations, they just last longer. However, there appears to be no added benefit of concentrations greater than 50%.

In addition to wearing permethrin-treated clothing and using a DEET insect repellent on exposed skin, also remember to wear a long-sleeved shirt tucked in, long pants, and a hat to minimize exposed skin in areas where ticks or biting insects are a possibility. Also tuck your pants into your socks and wear boots, not sandals. Ticks are detected more easily on light-colored or white clothing. Prompt removal of attached ticks can prevent some infections.

Be proactive and take action to protect yourself!