How To Repel Ticks With A Powerful, Chemical Fix

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While you might be repulsed by the mere sight of a tick, these small arachnids pose an even bigger problem than their creepy appearance. They can potentially spread viruses, parasites, and bacteria through their bites. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States, and while it's curable if caught early, it can still lead to long-term symptoms, especially when left untreated. The best way to avoid the host of problems that can come from a tick bite is to prevent bites altogether. While no strategy is 100 percent effective, a powerful chemical called permethrin can repel ticks when sprayed on clothes and shoes. 

Permethrin is a synthetic chemical that mimics extracts from chrysanthemums. It's toxic to insects, affecting their nervous system. This means if a tick crawls on a permethrin-treated piece of clothing, it's likely to become affected and fall off. If you go camping or hiking often, you can even purchase clothing treated with this chemical. And according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it's the only insecticide currently used in factory-based treatment of clothes for insect defense. If your lawn is the problem, not the woods or a field, you may also want to look into how and when to spray your yard for ticks, or invest in some plants with smells that ticks can't stand.

There are many ways to protect yourself and your home from ticks this year, and if you often find yourself in tick-infested areas, using permethrin should be one of them. You have two options: purchase permethrin-treated clothes, or treat clothing yourself. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you'll want to use a product containing 0.5% permethrin if you go the DIY route. You can find these sprays at many hardware, camping, and big-box stores. Even Amazon carries the highly-rated Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent. While treatment normally entails spraying clothing and shoes when they're off the body and allowing them to fully dry, it's important to follow the exact instructions for the product you use.

While this chemical is a very effective way to repel ticks and prevent bites, there are a couple of precautions you need to take. First, because this chemical can be toxic to cats when wet, keep it away from your feline friends. However, once dry, it is usually safe to wear your permethrin-treated clothes around your cats – just check the label of the product you use first, to be sure. Secondly, use permethrin only on garments and gear, and avoid spraying it onto your skin.