- Permethrin spray bonds to fabric fibers for up to 6 weeks or 6 washings; odorless after drying; protects clothing, tents, nets, gear from 55+ insects including disease-spreading ticks & mosquitoes (Sawyer Permethrin)
- Picaridin spray provides safe & effective protection from mosquitoes, ticks & insects for up to 12 hours; more effective than DEET at repelling biting flies (Sawyer Picaridin)
- Permethrin spray treats 2 complete outfits; Picaridin lotion is safe for use on skin & gear
- University study found people wearing Permethrin-treated shoes & socks were 73.6 times less likely to have a tick bite
From the manufacturer
Permethrin-treated clothing and outdoor gear is your first line of defense against insects.
About Sawyer
Insect Repellent Treatment for Clothing, Gear, and Tents
Effective against mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, and mites for up to 6 weeks
For use on clothing, tents, sleeping bags, and other outdoor gear, Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent not only repels insects, it actually kills mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, mites, and more than 55 other kinds of insects on contact. Odorless after drying, Permethrin will not stain or damage clothing, fabrics, plastics, finished surfaces, or any of your gear.
Use Permethrin on clothing by itself or with skin-applied repellents to create the ultimate protective, armor-like insect barrier.
- Effective against more than 55 kinds of insects — from disease-spreading ticks (Lyme disease) and mosquitoes (West Nile and Zika viruses) to chiggers, spiders, mites, and more
- Single application lasts up to 6 weeks or through 6 washings (whichever comes first) of sun exposure
- 24-ounce trigger spray bottle treats up to 5 complete outfits (12-ounce trigger spray treats up to 2 outfits).
- 18-ounce aerosol spray treats up to 4 complete outfits (9-ounce aerosol treats 2 outfit).
- A complete outfit consists of a shirt, pants, and pair of socks; updated EPA dosage is 4.5 ounces of Permethrin per outfit to be effective
- Synthetic version of pyrethrum (naturally derived from chrysanthemum flower), repellent has been treating uniforms for the U.S. and Canadian militaries for almost 30 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Permethrin Work?
Permethrin is applied to clothing and outdoor gear material, bonding to the fabric fibers for up to 6 weeks or through 6 washings (whichever comes first). When a tick, mosquito, or other insect comes into contact with Permethrin, it absorbs a dose that will either repel or kill the insect. Applied to clothing, tents, outdoor furniture, or sleeping bags, Permethrin is very effective at reducing the mosquito population in your camping area and keeping ticks from attaching to you.
Sawyer Permethrin uses the same active ingredient found in hair shampoos for head lice. However, because your skin breaks down Permethrin within fifteen minutes of contact, it’s not useful as a personal protection insect repellent when applied to the skin.
Permethrin-treated clothing and fabric should be your first line of defense, and it can be used in conjunction with a topical skin-based repellent such as Sawyer’s Picaridin, MAXI DEET, and Ultra 30 products.
What Can I Treat with Permethrin?
In addition to clothing and accessories like hats and waders, Sawyer Permethrin Insect Repellent is ideal for treating backpacks, tents, camp furniture, hammocks, mosquito netting, luggage, and even bed sheets. Since mosquitoes are better hoppers than flyers, adding more Permethrin-treated landing surfaces around you will improve your protection.
Permethrin is compatible for use even on fragile fabrics such as silk, plus all synthetics and waterproof membrane fabrics (won’t affect plastics or finishes). While Permethrin is safe and compatible with almost all fabrics, it has an easier time bonding to soft fabrics like cottons, wools, and synthetic blends.
Permethrin Tips & Tricks
- For optimal protection, apply a topical repellent to exposed skin.
- Hand wash and air dry to preserve application. Select gentle wash and dry cycles.
- Store garments in dark plastic bags between uses to help preserve application.
- For luggage, spray inside your bags when you travel to avoid transporting insects back home.
- Do not expose cats to wet Permethrin (dried Permethrin-treated fabric has no effect).
How Do I Apply Permethrin Safely?
To apply, lightly moisten the fabric of the garment with a slow sweeping motion, keeping the bottle about 6 to 8 inches away and treating each side of the garment for about 30 seconds. Sawyer Permethrin should not be added to a washing machine for treatment — it should be sprayed directly onto clothing and gear.
Can I Use Permethrin on My Dog?
Yes, Sawyer Permethrin can be applied to dogs. It safely bonds with dog’s hair and penetrates the skin to help control mosquitoes, fleas, ticks (including ticks that can carry Lyme disease, Powassan, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever), and lice for up to 35 days. To apply, start spraying at the tail, moving the dispenser rapidly to cover entire body (including the legs and underbody).
While spraying, fluff hair so that the spray will penetrate to the skin. Make sure spray wets thoroughly, but do not saturate. Do not spray into eyes and face. Avoid contact with genitalia. Wear rubber gloves or mitts when applying. Do not use on puppies under twelve weeks. Consult a veterinarian before using this product on debilitated, medicated, aged, pregnant or nursing animals.
With a similar effect to DEET, Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent won’t harm gear and equipment.
Sawyer: More Than Just An Outdoor Company
Long Lasting, Family Safe Protection
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent
Safe to use on the whole family, Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent is highly effective at deterring a wide array of insects and is great for use on both skin and clothing.
The non-greasy Picaridin offers all day protection, has a pleasant low citrus odor, and won’t damage plastics or synthetic coatings
Maximize protection from mosquitoes and ticks by combining Picaridin with Sawyer’s Permethrin insect repellent for clothing and gear.
- Lotion repels mosquitoes up to 14 hours; spray repels mosquitoes up to 12 hours
- Both lotion and spray repel ticks, flies, gnats, chiggers, and fleas up to 8 hours
- More effective at repelling biting flies than DEET
- Effective against Mosquitoes, which can transmit Yellow Fever, West Nile, Dengue, and Zika viruses
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Picaridin as Effective as DEET?
Picaridin is the perfect balance of efficacy, safety, and user-friendliness. It repels a wide variety of pests including mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, sand flies, gnats, chiggers, and midges.
One of the longest lasting repellents available, it provides up to 14 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks (using the lotion; up to 12 hours for spray models), and up to 8 hours against a variety of flies, chiggers, and gnats.
Is Picaridin Safe for the Whole Family?
Available as Lotion and Spray
- Lotion lasts up to 14 hours
- Comes in 2- and 4-ounce personal lotion bottles and individual lotion packets
- Also available in institutional-sized lotion pump dispensers
- Spray lasts up to 12 hours
- Available as a spray pump in 4-ounce, 3-ounce, and 0.5-ounce sizes, plus 6-ounce continuous spray