Mosquito and tick bites can be more than just itchy distractions. At their worst they can carry dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease. So if you're outside in areas that have health alerts and warnings about these diseases, it's important to take actions to protect yourself. One such action is to treat your clothing with a Permethrin based insect repellent that also kills ticks and mosquitoes. And it's not just trekking into wild areas, these pests can get to you in your backyard.

The FDA has approved Permethrin to be used as a clothing insect repellent. It was first developed and tested by the U.S. Military for use on uniforms. You might have heard of it, it has been used in shampoos that treat head lice. When it is properly applied to clothing, tents, or camping gear, it repels and kills a wide range of insects and mosquitos that carry Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, West Nile Virus, and malaria.

After application, which is either done by a two-hour soaking procedure or spraying it on, the Permethrin binds with your clothing and will be active through about six washings or a couple of weeks. By the way, never spray on clothing while you're wearing it.

For complete protection, you should also use a DEET containing insect repellent on your body. The Permethrin clothing insect repellent does not extend its protection to your skin. But when these insects and pests land on your clothing they are killed or repelled so maybe they don't get to your skin. But if they land on your neck, then you better have a DEET repellent on to handle that situation.

Here are several Permethrin based clothing insect repellents. Please follow the instructions precisely to derive the maximum benefit and safety from these products. Some will instruct you to soak the clothing and some will instruct you to spray on the clothing. If you choose the spray, please remember that you should not be wearing the clothing while you're spaying it.

Thank you for visiting this site, and here's to a safe and adventurous outdoor season. Nelle.

Spray this on your clothing and it will protect you through six washings. Not only does it repel insects, it will kill ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers, mites and more than 55 other kinds of insects. If you live in an area, like I do with deer ticks that carry Lyme Disease, you take as many precautions as you can. All of my gardening cloths are treated with this. As are the clothes that I hike in or go paddling in. You also have to use a DEET containing insect repellent on your skin to be as safe as possible.

The EPA has registered the Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent for a "military-style" treatment for clothing. What you do is soak your clothing in a permethrin solution for two hours and then line dry. You'll be protected through 6 washings. When used this way the permethrin binds to the fabric. Repels and kills Mosquitoes, Chiggers, Mites & Ticks, Including Ticks Which Carry Lyme Disease & Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

You should also use an insect repellent on your skin as well.

Repel Permanone Clothing & Gear Insect Repellent Spray contains a .5% Permethrin active ingredient and will repel and kill bugs and insects. Following the directions very carefully in a well-ventilated area spray your clothing and equipment. The Permethrin will bind with your clothing and will last about 2 weeks through multiple washings.

When your spraying your clothes, pay special attention to the shirt and pants cuffs as well as socks. Anywhere that bugs and ticks might hide.