With increasing news coverage about ticks and tick-borne illnesses, it’s understandable that some people are wondering whether it’s still safe to spend time outdoors. While avoiding nature is one option, it’s not a practical or necessary choice for most people. With a few simple precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk while continuing to enjoy the many physical and mental health benefits of being outside.
For those of us on the Legacy staff who work and play in nature frequently, we follow a few simple rules like wearing bug spray, light-colored clothing, and high ankle shoes or boots, and tucking pants into socks to stay safe when heading outdoors.
And lately, Legacy staff are also adding an extra layer of tick protection in the field–treating their clothes with permethrin. What is permethrin and how does it help? For a deeper dive, we asked members of our land team for key takeaways on permethrin use.
What is permethrin? Permethrin is a chemical compound that occurs naturally in chrysanthemum flowers and is now manufactured synthetically to use as an insect repellent. Check out this story on NPR
Is permethrin a skin repellent? Unlike insect repellents that are applied to your skin, permethrin is designed to treat clothing and gear. Once dry, the treatment bonds to fabric and should not be applied directly to skin unless the product label specifically states otherwise.
How effective is permethrin? Permethrin-treated clothing has been shown to reduce tick bites by repelling and killing ticks that come into contact with treated fabric. Like any prevention method, it does not eliminate risk, so it should be used alongside other protective measures.
Even when using permethrin treated clothes, folks should also practice other protective measures like wearing bug spray, light-colored clothing, and high ankle shoes or boots, in addition to tucking pants into socks. Also, remember to always check for ticks after being outside.
Is permethrin safe? Permethrin is used in food and agriculture, and it is known for being relatively safe for clothing treatment if used according to the labels.
Here is what the EPA says about permethrin
Is permethrin safe to use on or around animals? Users should be careful about using permethrin in aquatic areas. Permethrin is highly toxic to fish and many aquatic organisms while wet. Avoid applying it near lakes, streams, storm drains, or other bodies of water, and always allow treated clothing to dry completely before wearing.
Wet permethrin products are also highly toxic to cats. Keep cats away from treated clothing and application areas until the product has completely dried. Check out this story on NPR about cats and permethrin.
You can buy a dog safe version, which can be sprayed on your dog as an additional way to help prevent them from bringing ticks into the house.
How does Legacy use permethrin? The staff uses a type of permethrin that is sprayed on clothes and dries. The treatment will last several washes.
What kinds of things can be treated? Any garment you wear can be treated, but ideally outer layers and mostly clothes worn lower on the body. This includes things like shoes, pants, and socks. If you are in tall grass often, shirts too.
Does it wash off? How long does it stay on? Is it one and done or do you have to reapply during the season? If so, how frequently? Eventually permethrin washes out. It rinses out of the clothing slowly during each wash, but it will last about 5-7 washes. It really depends on the type you buy. You should always read the label for your exact product information.
Depending on your exposure and how frequently you’re in the field, you may have to reapply multiple times a season.
Do I need to wash those clothes separately? Some of our staff wash their permethrin treated clothes separately, but others don’t. You should use the product according to the label.
Where should I keep my clothing that has been treated? Among our staff, this varies. Some keep them separated. Others keep them in the same area. After the product dries, it doesn’t matter. It’s personal preference.
Who should use this type of treatment? Professionals? Anyone who hikes/camps/enjoys the outdoors? Children? Just about anyone can use permethrin. You don’t have to be a land professional to use it. A hiker, camper, gardener–anyone who spends time outside should consider a tick repellent. Permethrin is a good option for everyday folks because you can treat all your clothes once and be set for a decent period of time, depending on how much you wash your clothes.
Permethrin can be used on children’s clothing, but typically it’s not recommended for young children. Permethrin use should be limited to older children who won’t chew or suck on their clothes.
Where can I buy it? How much does it cost? How much do I need? Permethrin clothing treatments are widely available at outdoor retailers, farm and garden stores, sporting goods stores, and many online retailers. One version with a spray handle costs about $20 and treats about 5 outfits.
If you prefer not to treat clothing yourself, some outdoor clothing manufacturers sell factory-treated garments designed to remain effective through dozens of washes.
Are there other ways to stay safe? What else can you do if you don’t feel comfortable using permethrin? Our staff believes in multiple layers of protection. Permethrin is only an additional layer of protection.
Some people use a lint roller to grab ticks on clothing before they attach to skin. This method won’t pick up attached ticks though. Some ticks can attach quickly, making regular tick checks important. Some folks choose plant-based repellents like cedar oil and rose geranium oil products. However, their effectiveness may vary, and they are generally not as well studied as EPA-registered insect repellents. If you choose one, follow the manufacturer’s directions and consider combining it with other protective measures.
Anyone spending time outdoors should follow general safety guidelines like wearing bug spray and high ankle shoes or boots, in addition to tucking pants into socks. Some staff have begun wearing compression joggers under their pants for an extra layer of protection. And our staff always do a bug check when done in the field, showers as soon as possible and then checks again.
Remember, after a hike or being outdoors, you should:
- Check yourself, your clothes, and your pets for ticks before getting into the car. If you do find a tick, remove it immediately. If the tick is attached, remove it immediately and contact your medical provider.
- Change clothes and shower when you get home.
- Wash all hiking clothes before wearing them again.
- Do a second tick check the morning after you’ve been outdoors. Any of the crawling ticks you missed initially will likely attach overnight and will be easier to find.
Ticks are becoming more common in many parts of the country, but they don’t have to keep you indoors. By using a combination of protective clothing, insect repellent, regular tick checks, and awareness, you can continue enjoying Michigan’s trails, preserves, parks, and natural spaces with greater confidence.
Looking for more information on ticks in southeast Michigan? Check out this post from our partners at Washtenaw County Conservation District.
*DISCLAIMER* This article is provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended as medical, veterinary, or legal advice. Tick prevention recommendations may change as new research becomes available. Always follow the directions on any insect repellent or pesticide product you use, consult your healthcare provider with questions about tick bites or tick-borne illnesses, and contact your veterinarian before using tick prevention products on pets.
