Hi all,

I'm tired of paying the steep price for Sawyer's permathin spray and would like to go the more economical route of buying the concentrate solution and mixing my own spray. The problem is there are so many different ones to buy, I'm not sure which is appropriate. Any help?

I'm no expert on this subject, but I've been using Martin's concentrate. It's marketed for livestock, but I've had no problems using it for treating clothing.

I'm sure you'll hear from others who are more knowledgeable than I am.

Do a google search and you'll find lots of concentrate options. Don't be put off by the images of horses or cattle on the bottle's label. Just make sure that the only active ingredient is permethrin (note the spelling). Do your algebra to dilute to 0.5%.
Here's a thread that should help.

You may find this Section Hiker blog post helpful.

Agreed and agreed with that other thread

This is where I get mine in bulk. No smell after application and it’s not meant for livestock.

10% Permethrin Concentrate

I consider $14.00 for 24 Oz of Sawyer permethrin a good deal. I only spray it on once a year. Pretty cheap insurance against Lyme disease for a proven product I’m my opinion.

More to your question, as I remember there is a few brands out there. I’ve read that there is a water and oil based product, some that stink, others that do not. I remember reading that you want the water based one.

I know many people buy concentrate, dilute and apply to clothing. I looked very hard last year and only found one concentrate that is approved for use on clothing.

Duration Clothing Insect Repellent with Permethrin 10% concentrate

I can only find it in two places online, the one with more reasonable shipping is below.

I have no association with this or any product and I've honestly never actually used it because I waited too long last year. I have some on order for this summer's trip.

Every other one I've found has a disclaimer about only using it for livestock or something similar. I'm sure many people are comfortable using the livestock stuff. No judgement, but I'd rather stick with approved stuff.

Duration link

schweady: "Do a google search and you'll find lots of concentrate options. Don't be put off by the images of horses or cattle on the bottle's label. Just make sure that the only active ingredient is permethrin (note the spelling). Do your algebra to dilute to 0.5%.
Here's a thread that should help.
"

So you're telling me that I should have paid closer attention in algebra??? :)

I rarely put Permethrin on my clothing, I bought these 3-4 years ago and retreat them a few times a year. I look kinda geeky wearing them in town if I don't feel like taking them off, but they really seem to work well. In the 3-4 years I do not think I have ever found an embedded tick in me, and only a half a dozen crawling on me. I'm in NW Minnesota a tick/deertick hotbed near Itasca State Park, and live in the sticks mostly.
LymeEZ Tick Gators.

LymeEZ Tick Gators.

Fleet Farm sells it here in MN. I usually buy it there in large 1 gal jugs and dilute as necessary in a large plastic bucket (using protective gear) out on my back porch. Hang up the clothes and let dry---and air out!

Chuckles: "I know many people buy concentrate, dilute and apply to clothing. I looked very hard last year and only found one concentrate that is approved for use on clothing.


Duration Clothing Insect Repellent with Permethrin 10% concentrate


I can only find it in two places online, the one with more reasonable shipping is below.


I have no association with this or any product and I've honestly never actually used it because I waited too long last year. I have some on order for this summer's trip.


Every other one I've found has a disclaimer about only using it for livestock or something similar. I'm sure many people are comfortable using the livestock stuff. No judgement, but I'd rather stick with approved stuff.


Duration link "

I'm with Chuckles on this one and will only use a permethrin concentrate that is approved for human use. The only one I know of is Duration. It's probably fine to use the other stuff but there's just something about using a chemical developed (and says on the label) "For use with livestock only" that doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies on the inside. Call me paranoid but I will spend a couple extra dollars for that peace of mind. If you are using the livestock stuff, make sure to avoid the products with petroleum distillates.

I go with Sawyer (I got the big spray bottle with a cabelas gift card because I couldn't think of anything else I wanted) not out of any specific health concern above and beyond how nasty it is before it dries, but just because I trust it to have the inert ingredients formulated to work better on fabric. I treated my clothes with it before a week of early october grouse and woodcock hunting in Chippewa NF and I didn't find any live ticks on me, but found a few dead ones on my shirt.

That said my mom and sister treated all their clothes with livestock concentrate before a trip to Africa and that seemed to work well enough, too.

That duration concentrate looks like a great deal. Get a spray bottle with marked dilution lines and you're good to go. It would take me years to go through that much.