Every time I go to my woods, I get several ticks on me. Yesterday, I finally remembered to buy repellant. It wasn't OFF, I think it was Cutter deep woods or something. It didn't work, or else a couple ticks got on my in the one minute I stood beside my truck 'suiting up' and before I sprayed my clothes and boots. Anyone found anything that works? I've had a bazillion tick bites over my life and haven't caught a disease but a friend has been devastated by a tick borne illness. I also noted a recent tickbite made a really wicked looking bruise, unlike any tickbite I've ever had. Doc said I was ok but it kind of worried me. I guess my blood is changing, lol.
Even with repellent ticks will still get on your clothing. However if the repellent is on your skin they won't bite. I use 100% deet, it lasts most all day. Not a good idea to let deet come into contact with waterproof fabrics and some plastics like inexpensive safety glasses.
I use the Permethrin, but I buy a bottle that gets mixed with water. I think the bottle was 8-9 bucks, and I'm still on the first gallon of mix after about 3-5 years. Don't remember when I bought it. It'll make several gallons. I spray the bottom of my pant legs....inside and out.....pretty wet, then let dry. Same with long sleeve shirts....do the collar area and cuffs. The Sawyer's that Gas showed says to thoroughly wet the clothes. The dogs get something with either Permethrin or another "thrin" and I've found dead ticks on the living room floor. Some manage to stay on the dogs (not for long), but during the summer, they get checked EVERY TIME we go outside.
I will third the Permethrin. I've been using it since 2004. My hunting clothes, chainsaw pants, hiking pants, chaps, etc. all get sprayed.
X 4 Permethrin. I love this stuff. Use it inside and outside for all kinds of insects also. This make roughly 12 gallons when mixed with water. Extremely effective. Amazon.com : Permethrin SFR 36.8% permethrin Quart 6666105 : Home And Garden Products : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Just received an email from Bailey's today and they have these on sale. I've thought about buying some but so far have not. Ticks are not a big problem here. Skeeters are in wet years.
Another fan of permethrin here since the tick population went from zero to find them everywhere. I bought a stronger solution and mix it with water same as papadave mentions. For those who haven't used it, it will repel ticks, and if they get stuck under your clothing (sneak up/down the back of your shirt, the longer exposure kills them. It also kills pretty much any other kind of bug, and somewhat repels skeeters. But if they land on you they die. Great stuff.
I've watched ticks crawl on my Permanone treated pants, fall off, and die. The stuff works. Be sure to spray it on your clothes and let it dry. It's not meant to be applied to your skin like Off and similar products.
I am an orchard owner. I am willing to bet the pure undiluted insecticides I use would work great however you have to wear a respirator, goggles and a Tyvek suit. I have to explanation as to why, but I never gets ticks when I am running a saw. But this is coming from a guy who has had 4 diagnosed cases of Lyme.
Sawyer's permethrin. Spray until wet, let dry, lasts quite a while. I use Stihl chainsaw pants and I never wash 'em, so I imagine the stuff will last close to a full season. I've had Lyme disease so I don't take any chances.
Right now, I still have about 2 to 3 feet of tick repellant in my woods, that white kind, and it's been lightly snowing all day. .....but maybe by July I'll be also breaking out the pyrethrin. It's seem's it's fairly natural and made from chrysanthemum leaves or something. I'll make up a garden sprayer every spring for clothes, dog's, foundation perimeter & wet area's with standing water.
I use Permethrin too, I wear a pair of cutting boots that I'll tuck the bottom of the leg of my pants in and then lace up, I think that I read an article that said ticks only crawl up.
Permethrin all the way. It's intended ONLY FOR CLOTHING. You're wasting time and money using anything else....
I read it was for termite control?!? Ahrrr......guess it will keep the ticks off me cloths and the termites off me wooden leg matey!
I agree that permethrin is excellent, however a word of caution. It is very toxic for cats. Don't let your cats near it, or anything treated with it.
I had to check, here's the (little) difference between perm ethrin and py rethrum. Permethrin and Pyrethrum Insecticides - What's The Difference?
