Going to Africa in late April. Guide recommends bringing some. Any advice?? I've found clothing treatment and topical cream.

Sawyer. Yellow bottle. Can get it at Wally World. Works great. Good luck on your hunt

All I've ever read on it is that it isn't for topical use, just clothes.

Follow directions. Works.

Has worked well on clothes for me.

I use it every spring in Va for my turkey hunting clothes and gear. It works exceedingly well. One treatment lasts 5 to 6 weeks . Sawyer or Repel are brand names at Walmart.

Yes, Sawyers, Repel, Coleman makes one too. These are all spray cans, and the only way that I’ve used it. I’ve tried them all and they all work the same. FANTASTIC! Definitely just follow instructions, and treat EVERY piece of your outer layer. Shits, jacket, vest, pants, socks, and don’t forget the hat. And make sure to treat a little extra on the cuffs, collars, and ankle area. Amazing stuff, but dangerous too if used improperly.

I’ve heard that there is a laundry treatment, but I haven’t confirmed

I hear you can get the same stuff at a feed store for cheaper

A can of Repel (blue top) is under $10. Works great and lasts a couple turkey seasons for us.

I buy it at tractor supply and put it in my paint spray gun and spray my boots and cloths. Works fantastic.

Use it outdoors only! Experience...

The Sawyers brand is excellent, although it is not recommended for skin. Spray clothes outside and let dry before wearing. Manufacture says its good for 6 weeks, I retreat mine between 3-4 weeks, depending on how many ticks I'm seeing.

It is in your best biologic interest to stick to the human use product and to follow the directions. These products are toxins, and following the rules makes it most likely that you get the bugs and that the chemical doesn't hurt you. The Sawyer product now available everywhere in liquid/pump bottle is the most appropriate way to go, and I think it is more cost effective and provides a better soaking in than the older spray cans. It is a very modest investment for the security. I have been using it for years in the NJ/PA arena where we are famous for ticks and Lyme. I can't remember the last tick that I found on me when I was wearing treated clothing. Again, follow the instructions on the bottle which are very specific.

SG (MD)

Taking a chemical on a flight may pose a problem. Treat your clothing and pack in vacuum bags.

Only topical use is for head lice (Nix) and I think it's a different concentration than clothing version.

Get the bulk stuff, dilute it according to instruction, put it in a cheap garden weed sprayer, soak your clothes. That way re-application is always ready. I have only had 1 tick on me (not attached) in last 2 years since I started using it.

BTW - a recent study, in Japan I believe, found the Lyme virus in mosquitos - if that trend increases us southern boys will have to take even more precaution as we have mosquitos often into late Nov/Dec. I have 2 friends that are going through h*** fighting long term Lymes - it is not pretty. Lots of studies showing many of the neurological diseases like Alzheimer's, dementia, etc.... actually are Lyme related. It is far more of a wide spread disease then what was thought or being publicized. The common test administered by most doctors is not very reliable either.

Very versatile stuff. As mentioned above it is the active ingredient in Nix. Also in flea and tick shampoo for dogs and in sprays used inside the home to kill fleas, lice, etc. Used in milking parlors for fly control. I spray my cattle with a weak solution when the flies get thick. I pay about $10 for a pint of concentrate then mix a solution suited for the end use. I think that your problem will be in getting it to Africa.

You spray your clothing, allow to dry, and use. It doesn't last forever and that is clearly outlined on the package. One treatment and you will be good to go.

Wild Bill has the right idea. Treat your clothing and pack in a vacuum bag.

The suggestion of spraying your clothes, hats, and boots with Permethrin and sealing in a plastic zip lock garment or blanket bag is a good idea, just spray them well a couple of days before leaving and let them dry well. Also take a roll of duct tape that way if you need to, you can tape the cuffs of you pants to your boots and seal off that gap if the bugs are that bad. You may want to take some DEET for any of the flying biting insects for exposed skin. DANNY

Sawyer's

Sawyer a, spray all you outer clothes and shoes and socks, soak them down. Let dry amd wear.

I always thought with the warnings to only use Permethrin on clothing that it is some volatile toxic chemical but is actually the opposite. Contrary to what has been stated on here it is non-toxic to humans (check Sawyers website if you don't believe it) and the reason it is not recommended for use on skin as a repellent is because it breaks down quickly and becomes ineffective on skin. Just something to be aware of for a bit of piece of mind and to make sure you are being protected if you use it.

the only real defense against chiggers in the early bow season too. Spray clothes and boots/shoes

50 degrees here yesterday, still have some snow on the ground. Took the dog out last night and she kept sniffing around an evergreen in the yard.

I pushed some of the branches aside to see what she was so interested in. Didn’t see anything and went back inside.

Sat down in my chair and felt something on my hand. It was a tick. They’re out already!

MP

Sawyers is only partially effective and way too expensive imo. Go go tractor supply. Get the concentrate. Directions for mixing are included and the bottle even gas ounce measure w it. One bottle will last you years. I run dogs almost every day. I soar them, my chaps, if I’m going through junk my clothes. It works. W sawyers I had some ticks and no lunch money!

Use it for ticks and chiggers evry year, just don't put it on your skin, spray your clothes and let them air dry.take it from someone who's suffered through Rocky mountain spotted fever

Permethrin is highly toxic to cats but not dogs. I wouldn't let your sprayed clothes hang to dry where a curious cat could come in contact.

Ticks are out all year, even here in Pa. They become inactive in cold weather but they are never far away, and one warm day can get them going. They can live in leaf litter, under bark, etc. I've seen them in December and January in the brushy areas near where I live.

While you are at it, check and see if you will be hunting or spending time in a malaria zone. If yes, you should consult with your physician to determine whether you should take some type of anti-malarial medication.

Buy it at the feed store. $20 a quart. Follow directions, and that amount will outlast you.

I've used Sawyers the last 2 years and haven't had a single tick on me.

The information about it being toxic to cats is good!!! Aren’t cats the other white meat??

Don’t think the toxicity is any different for a dog or a cat. It’s just stated that way because if you put it on your pet, a cat can lick itself in places a dog can’t get to.

MP

Permethrin works GREAT!

Sorry MP that is not entirely correct.

Cats can tolerate the dilute 0.5-1.0% in small doses but higher concentrations like the feed store variety are definitely harmful. Why risk it? If momma's Tabby croaks you'll have more problems than a tick bite :-)

There's a company called Insect Shield that sells clothing pre-treated with Permethrin in some usable styles, or you send them a clothing item and they treat it for $8-12 depending on if shirts or pants, etc. Supposed to be good for 70 washings. That's a lot of washings for my hunting clothes so doesn't seem like a bad deal to me. Gotta pick a few items and get it done before our ticks show up! Google it.

If my info is incorrect I apologize.

Does give me an idea about what I can do if my wife does bring a cat home!

MP

Never forget the first time I used Permethrin. I was turkey hunting, had a tom talking to me from the hill top across the bottom meadow. A tick, a gnarly ugly tick, even for a tick, came walking up my leg, slowly I eased out my bic lighter. "I am going to burn your sticky outy parts off as soon as you get past my knee." He got almost to my knee and stopped, then fell to a bare patch of dirt feet up and no kicking, stone dead.

Another story about Permethrin. Standing in the woods talking to my hunting buddy. He looked down and hollered I was standing in a fire ant bed. I looked down and saw fire ants crawling on my boots. They would crawl on my boots, which had been treated with Permethrin, and fall over dead. This stuff really works.

Same as Wild Bill. Treat, dry pack in vacuum bags for trip.

Permethrin is a great product, has been tested extensively by our govt. and used by the military in 10% strength though you don't need that high of a mixture to work well.

https://sectionhiker.com/permethrin-soak-method-guide/

i always used it in late summer, early fall when squirrel hunting, never had a tick, others got ate up.

I sprayed my mushroom hunting cloths and didn't have any ticks on me. Was out with a buddy and he had ticks all over him . He didn't spree his cloths I didn't have any.

T hawk shooter .Is that stuff good for the shits too? WOW.

In addition to my clothes, I use the stuff from the tractor supply around the house and campsite.

On a tip I learned here on the Leatherwall, go to Fleet Farm and get yourself a spray bottle of bedbug spray...I think it's called "bug-b-gon" or something along those lines...highest concentration of Permethrin found in any product and WAY CHEAPER! Spray all your clothes you'll be hunting in before you go. Stuff works like a charm!

I've been using Sawyer Permethrin spray on my hunting clothes for a few years now. I sat down to rest on a fallen log on my backpack into my hunting area in a wilderness area in Colorado and noticed a tick crawling up my lower pant leg. I was about to brush it off when I noticed it struggling to climb, then curled up and fell off dead. I instantly became a believer in Permethrin.

Yup, they can make it about 8 to 10 inches then fall off dead.

If they climb higher, it's time to recoat your cloths.

Thanks so much for your information. Nothing like personal confirmations. 58

I go to my local vet. get a 6 or 8 oz. bottle makes several gallons of product. Be carfull to make it the right strength. .05% .010% max.

I keep one set of clothes Permethrined up for working in the woods, cutting and maintaining trails on our club grounds. If I don't remember to wear them it's certain I'll be digging a few ticks outta my hide. Need to get them ready this week, we'll be setting up our first shoot early April, need to check trails. Warm damp weather is 'tick-y'.

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