[Malachai Constant]

Phosmet has little in common with permethrin, it is an organophosphate insecticide which interferes with acetylcholine with more in common with malathion or parathion. Permethrin is an entirely different class of compounds.

[DIYSteve]

Oh, okay. I cited a bad source. I deleted that. Permethrin is a pyrethroid, a class of organic compounds similar to the natural pyrethrins produced by the flowers of pyrethrums (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium and C. coccineum). Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethroid

[kbatku]

I got a pint for like $11 on Amazon - I still have 15 oz left. Works like a charm, though I do retreat after washing. I put on rubber gloves and a mask, spritz the clothes outside and then seal them in a plastic bag for a few hours to let them stew. Then I thoroughly air them out, put them on and away I go. Doesn't eliminate the need for deet on exposed skin, but keeps the bugs from biting through my clothes. Treat your hat and head net too.

[Navy salad]

kbatku: Good idea about letting them "stew" in a plastic bag to give the liquid more time to soak in. I'm going to try that next time.

[Yoyo]

I'm new here, but have been lurking for awhile. Writing to comment on permethrin products, particularly something I found at the local feed store: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/gordons-permethrin-10-livestock-premise-spray-8-fl-oz The stuff contains some type of petroleum products that mix with water to a milky consistency and leave a nasty odor on your clothes if you apply it. I've just gotten through applying it to some junk clothes, in the hope that after a trip through the wash the smell would be gone, but the permethrin still useful. Haven't worn them yet but after a wash the odor is still detectable. I can't recommend this stuff, in fact can't see what you would use it for that wouldn't be compromised by the hydrocarbons.

[Adohrn]

There are 2 versions, oil or water based. You have the oil based which is to be avoided as it does have a very strong and unpleasant smell. Try the water based Martins. http://www.amazon.com/Martins-Permethrin-10%25-Indoor-Outdoor/dp/B001EVKCKM?tag=nwhinet-20

[boot up]

[Navy salad]

[Yoyo]

Sorry for late reply, didn't catch your comment when it was fresh. I mixed the 10% concentration of the packaged product down to 1.5% as mentioned earlier in the thread. Having had a chance to let the clothes sit around for a week, run them through the wash with almost no detergent, then again with a normal amount of detergent, this stuff is useless. The clothes still smell like naptha or something similar, and now have questionable repellant qualities. I hate buying online but it seems it will be necessary this time.

[Schenk]

The first time I used permetrhin I bought the solvent based stuff. My treated clothes did have a strong odor but I aired them on the clothesline for a couple nights (I guess sunlight is a contributing factor to the life of permethrin on clothing?) and afterwards they did not noticeably smell. The petroleum "carrier" has to evaporate and washing in water may not help enough.

[contour5]

Been using the Sawyer aerosol can product for a year or so. Thought it was working fine until recent trip up the Sauk. All my clothes were freshly treated a couple days before the trip. Shortly after taking a break about halfway up the trail I felt a sharp biting sensation on my back. I reached back over my shoulder, felt something, and grabbed it. A nasty little tick, wiggling its nasty little legs and mouth parts at me! I just sort of involuntarily crushed it between thumb and forefinger, revealing a drop of blood. I sat down to eat on a nice flat rock on a high grassy saddle. Saw a tick running up my leg. Flicked it off. Looked down where it went- whoa! Ticks crawling all over the place. There were twenty or thirty of them crawling around on the rock. I played a weird game with them, making them follow my hand around. If I put my hand on the rock, they would all move toward it. when I lifted it- just a few inches- they would seem confused and wander randomly. Placing hand back on rock would attract all of them again, instantly. Really creepy and weird! I've never seen so many ticks in the cascades before. I saw more ticks on this trip than I've seen in the last 15 years.

[Kat]

That is sick. I turn myself into a chemical factory, permethrin treated clothing (once every 6 weeks) and deet on top of it. Just picked up another 24 oz bottle of P at REI for $16 for the retreat today.

[InFlight]

Ticks apparently don't have vision, but can sense heat, smell, as well as CO2. (Haller's organs) So they were obviously attracted to the heat signature of your finger. The Northern Cascades seems to have a higher density of ticks. Ross Lake is crawling with them.

[Navy salad]

After wearing my permethrin-treated shirt on a hot, hard hike where I found myself sweating profusely, I couldn't help but wonder if the Permethrin-that-is-perfectly-safe-after-it-dries can partially re-liquify when it gets drenched with sweat and become no longer safe? Probably a question for a chemist/pharmacist or other specialist, but feel free to chime in.

[graywolf]