Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent for Clothing, Gear & Tents

I just came back from a nine-day trip deep into the Peruvian jungle -- into the reserve part of Manu National Park. It was an incredible journey! Fantastic nature, and incredibly isolated and pristine (an area never disturbed, and still inhabited by non-contacted peoples). But ahead of time I was extremely nervous about mosquito bites, because twice in the last ten years or so I have been to the emergency clinic with dozens of bug bites and a very strong allergic reaction to them. I practically obsessed over what to do to prevent mosquito bites as much as possible, because I have had such a strong reaction to bug bites, and the jungle is certainly full of mosquitos and other biting insects!. I am very happy to say that everything that I did worked -- I got very few bites, and I didn't even notice them until I searched for them. Everyone else in our group got plenty of bites, and they were itching like crazy, but not me!!! Here is what I did and what I brought: 1. I have a Peruvian friend who is a doctor. He told me to take Vitamin B complex every day for a week before the trip and every day in the jungle. I used these: Nature Made Super B Complex Tablets, Value Size, 360 Count 2. I bought two bottles of this Permethrin spray and very carefully sprayed ALL of my clothing, carefully following the directions on the bottle. I sprayed all of my clothing at home in my garage, and then packed it all in these giant ziploc bags: Ziploc Big Bag Double Zipper, Large, 5-Count (by the way, those bags were great for packing everything and really helped to keep things from getting too damp in the 100% humidity jungle!). I sprayed the three pairs of hiking pants I brought, three long-sleeved shirts, all of my thick hiking socks, and my sunhat (both sides). I put extra spray at all openings - pant cuffs, shirt cuffs, and shirt button seams.While there I always tucked my pants legs into my socks. The tour company had suggested wearing a cotton t-short under long-sleeved shirts because the mosquitoes bite through clothing, but I never did that; I didn't need to as I just didn't get bites through the Permethrin-sprayed clothing. This stuff really worked, as I did not get bites through my Permethrin-treated clothing! 3. I took the antihistamine Loratidine (generic for Claritin, this one: GoodSense Allergy Relief Loratadine Tablets, 10 mg, 30 Count Bottle ) as a prophylactic every morning, to prevent my strong reaction to bites. This worked GREAT -- I did get a few bites, as I could see the tiny red dots, but I didn't feel anything at all from them! I took only enough for the days that I was in the jungle. In the two days in Cusco before returning to the US I started itching a little on a couple of bites. In hindsight I should have taken a few extra tablets to take in the next few days after the trip. (Another hint - some people get drowsy on this stuff; I tested it first at home before going on my trip. There are other OTC non-drowsy antihistamines you can try if this doesn't work, like the generic for Zyrtec.) 4. I bought DEET. In my paranoia about insect bites and my prior reaction to them, I bought several different versions of DEET -- spray, wipes, and lotion, but I used only this spray, and only three times: Repel 94101 6-Ounce Sportsmen Max Insect Repellent 40-Percent DEET Pump Spray, Case Pack of 1 . That bottle is plenty for lots of people; to minimize weight and volume in your pack you might even want to put it into a smaller travel-sized spray bottle. I sprayed the backs of my hands, and then wiped from the backs of my hands onto my neck, cheeks, and forehead. 5. I had a mosquito head net that I purchased many years ago. Amazon has others but not the one that I have, so I can't give a link. I used this only two or three times when the mosquitos were especially thick. I had sprayed this also with Permethrin before leaving home. 6. I also brought with me an over the counter anti-itch creme (hydrocortisone), and a prescription-strength anti-itch creme (Clobetisol). I never used either one!!!!! But my travelling partners sure were happy that I had it so they could use it! I also had Sting Eze ( StingEze Max2 Insect Bite Itch Relief Dauber, 0.5-Ounce ), but this too I never needed, and my travelling friends were very happy to use. I worried a LOT before the trip about getting mosquito bites and my reaction to them. Really worried. I questioned my sanity for going! But with this Permethrin spray and everything else I did to prep, I had NO problems with mosquitos and I was able to totally enjoy the trip!!!!

Stuff works great; READ THE DIRECTIONS! Only annoying thing is these 4.5 oz bottles (pack of 6), are only enough for ONE outfit—one pair of pants, one shirt, two socks. It doesn’t show that in any of the photos. Also you can’t treat your stuff more than 42 days apart. So keep that in mind if you’re planning on packing this to take on a plane. Just treat before you leave and then you don’t need to pack it.

This insect repellent is absolutely amazing! Sawyer Premium Permethrin works incredibly well for treating clothing, gear, and tents. It lasts through multiple washes and provides excellent protection against ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects. I love that it's odorless once dry and doesn't damage fabrics. Perfect for camping and outdoor activities. The spray application is easy and even. This has become essential for all my outdoor adventures. Highly effective and long-lasting protection!

> Dry, treated, clothing has only a slight unobjectionable odor -- even though the (liquid) spray smells like kerosene. Based on 10 days of use, I noticed NO difference between my treated and untreated clothing -- no smell, no stiffness (or other difference in texture), no discoloration > It is hard to find meaningful directions among the caveats and warnings. Do NOT overlook the warning that you MUST pretreat the clothes and let them COMPLETELY dry before use. Completely dry means different things in different climates. I strongly suggest leaving the clothes to dry in your garage or patio, maybe for at least 4 full days in the summer in Arizona, or for at least two weeks in the winter in Chicago. Do NOT spray on human skin, nor to clothing while wearing the clothing. > The sprayer head is not installed on the 24oz bottle. The sprayer tube is coiled , and hard to straighten. But it is important to straighten it in order for it to reach the bottom of the bottle. > According to the instructions (if you can find them), you should use at least 3oz garment or 6oz/outfit; to spray until lightly soaked enough that there is the small color change when the fabric has been wetted. In my experience, thin fabrics wetted very easily; while heavy fabrics (such as pants) required much more spray to become wetted. So, in reality, thin fabrics should be "soaked", while heavier fabrics require only enough to "dampened". It is impossible to tell if dark socks have been treated, so you just need to use your best judgment for those. Be sensible -- you don't need to treat the interior surfaces of your tent or sleeping bag; you don't need to treat the portion of your socks which will be in your shoes; you don't need to treat in inside crown of your hat, etc. > According to the instructions a 24oz bottle can theoretically treat 4 outfits. However, spraying fairly lightly (in my opinion, just enough to cover all of the surface), it took me about 9–10 oz per outfit (shirt, pants, socks, and hat). Since I had only 4 or 5 ounces left, I finished the bottle off on thinner spots (mostly underarm and crotch). So, it took me the full 24oz spray bottle to treat 2 outfits. > The yellow plastic bottle is opaque, so the instructions to use at least “3oz/garment”, is rather useless anyway. Plan on using a 24oz bottle to treat no more than 2--3 adult outfits. > The instructions imply that the sprayed fabric functions largely as an “emitter” surface for evaporating or sublimating molecules of the mosquito repellant. That is, that the total area of fabric surface is important. In that case, you should also treat the rims and tops of hats, backpacks, etc. That also implies that it makes sense to store clean, fully dry, treated outfits in ziplock bags – especially for travel, so that you don’t contaminate your other clothing. > Take the “safe for humans" claim with a large grain of salt. Note that the liquid spray is TOXIC to cats. The liquid spray is not healthy for humans either. I suggest wearing a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, a hat, eye protection, gloves, and a face mask when applying the spray. Spray OUTSIDE, from the upwind side, best in a very light breeze. Even using these precautions, my eyes were lightly stinging and my throat felt constricted a half-hour after treating 2 outfits. Note that although a paper mask will not stop gaseous chemicals, it will stop most particulates, including liquid droplets -- so a simple paper mask should greatly reduce inhaling the spray. If you have a more advanced respirator -- use it instead of a simple paper mask. > The liquid chemical is nasty and incredibly persistent. I made the mistake of rinsing out the used bottle in my kitchen sink -- after which it took days and 3 or 4 very vigorous and thorough scrubbings with harsh detergents to clear it out of my sink. So, keep the liquid (including any treated clothing which is not absolutely COMPLETELY dry) out of your living space. Discard the bottle immediately when you are finished (even if you've got a little leftover). > HOW WELL IT WORKS - I prepared a set of clothing for a trip to the Amazon (Brazil) in December-January, and wore the treated outfit for about 10 days (including one washing). To the best of my knowledge, I suffered no mosquito bites -- but there were actually few mosquitos. Subsequently, at home, after just two washings, mosquitos seem to be biting through treated clothing. So, while this may be the best option for treating clothing -- I wouldn't rely on it. You also need to choose appropriate clothing (loose, covering as much skin area as possible), and use a Deet-containing repellant on all exposed skin.

If you want something to keep insects away and not just for a hour or evening but WEEKS? Look no further. I sprayed this all around my front door of my home light fixture etc, back door gutter area known for spiders to hide. A few weeks ago I cleaned out around the front entry way of my home as the light by my front door is an insect MAGNET. So after I hosed and brushed the area clean I remembered I had purchased this product but hadn't had a reason to actually put it to the test. Well here is the test and the results. This photo was taken tonight and not a flying insect to be seen. Normally moths at the very least are circling not to mention ORB spiders come out this time of year where they build their webs at night and take them down by morning. Not a single one and it's been a couple weeks since I applied this product all around everything. I still cannot believe that there are ZERO cobwebs, spider webs etc when the light literally would have insect evidence by the next day and moths the same night. As an ex commercial exterminator that worked for food factories and distributors, hospitals, hotels I had access to the most potent chemicals available and this stuff for a fraction of the price literally has no equal. This time of year spiders are making their way inside and if you want to keep them out then this is your first line of defense. I will NOT ever be without this product. I don't need to order from a speciality exterminating company and pay a considerable amount more. There is not another product I've ever purchased that has exceeded my expectations like this one. I have not received anything for my review, promised nothing zero compensation ( though I'll take it). When something impresses me I'll make sure to tell everyone and when something sucks well I'll do the same. Make a note I did clean away the area as best I could which is the first rule of insect control is clean up all cobwebs and debris. Then apply your preventative treatment. I even sprayed it around my gutter down spouts as spiders like to hide there in the day and would leave a line from my gutter to my umbrella and or fence and if I walked out during the day I would walk into it. They leave this up as means of making their web at night and use the air to help them move from one location to another . I would watch them build their web and they remove it by morning. This time of year they are everywhere. Not around my gutters and not around my front or back door. Look them up they make their webs during the evening and take them down by morning to avoid predators. Spray this along walls under your gutters, porches fences etc. This stuff works and from an ex professional for the price over the counter there is nothing better as a deterrent dollar for dollar. I also included some photos of my back door and gutter area that is a haven for insects especially the Orb spider. Again weeks later and nothing. What more proof could you want? If you ever walk outside and walk into a single stand of spider line you have an orb spider on the high side and they curl up into tight balls where they are not easily seen. Now Orb spiders are beneficial to humans capturing moths that might otherwise produce caterpillars which can be pests in our fall gardens and I don't advise killing them I just don't like walking into the web strand they leave up and don't want them around my doors, they can go to my neighbors all they want.

Sprayed this on my travel pants and my sons prior to going into the Amazon River area in Peru. Only used DEET on my ankles and hands. 0 bites in 3 days in the jungle and the river. Did a night hike and mosquitoes were thick. Works great. If you are going into a challenging area like that, recommend 2 coats.

Purchased for vacation in mosquito heavy area, worked very well when sprayed on clothes and shoes and allowed to dry before wearing.

AVOID ALPHA-GAL SYNDROME...at all costs! If I am outdoors with you, I guarantee you don't have to worry about mosquitoes because they will ALL be on me. I can barely step foot outdoors without being utterly harassed by them. I am so miserable during the summer, I can't even eat with the family out on the patio table. This stuff is amazing because I can put it on my 'going-in-the-yard' clothes and keep the buggers away. I don't have to drench my skin in some kind of chemical every time I want to leave the house. I got this to spray my lightweight summer SPF water shirts so I can throw them on over my clothes when I go in the garden or want to eat on the deck. I don't want to drench my skin in chemicals every day just to take care of my plants or enjoy the outdoors. KEY POINTS: -This is a synthetic version of the natural pyrethrin found in types of chrysanthemums. Because the natural version from the flower doesn't last long, the synthetic version (pyrethrin - found in this product) is a more stable and useful version. -FLOWERS: Grow your own pyrethrin chrysanthemums around your property to help repel bugs. I've bought seeds and never had much success growing them, even though they are perennials in zone 4a to 10b. I will keep trying to get them started around my deck. IN THE MEANTIME, I'm using this synthetic product around where I want to hang out. -TICKS!! This product affects the nervous system of more than just mosquitoes. My other concern is ticks, which I'm somewhat terrified of. We live in the tick capital of the US where I have seen people's lives upturned by Lyme's disease. I'm most afraid of the Lone Star Tick bite (look it up along with Alpha-Gal syndrome, and you might just be as terrified as I am of these little devils!). I don't play around...I'd rather put this spray all over the place than get bitten by these critters. Also, get chickens...they eat ticks :)