Permethrin Insecticide Used on Clothing and Equipment to Control Ticks

Permethrin is a chemical compound used to control insect and tick infestations on clothing, equipment, crops, and lawns. The compound is available in sprays and pre-treated clothing. It can be applied to fabrics to prevent bites from mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects.

Lee Haines, an entomologist at the University of Notre Dame, said permethrin works by sending an insect's nervous system into paralysis and death within seconds.

Permethrin was first synthesized in 1973 and registered as an insecticide by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1979. It is derived from pyrethrum, a substance found in daisy-like chrysanthemum plants that has been used for more than 2,000 years. Haines said permethrin is more toxic to insects than to people and dogs. Once it dries on a surface, it is considered safe for use around humans.

Control and Prevention recommends applying permethrin only to clothing, mosquito nets, or other fabrics. Liquid permethrin should not be discarded down drains, and pets should be kept inside during treatment. Contact with skin can cause tingling, burning, or itching.

Contact with eyes or ingestion can cause irritation, nausea, or vomiting. Haines recommended using permethrin sparingly and responsibly to avoid harming natural predators and aquatic life.