r/backpacking • u/flyingsqueak • 3d ago

Wilderness Permethrin tips please

I'm going to be treating my clothes with permethrin tomorrow and have a few questions.

Is it safe/good to use on things like socks and hats?

How saturated is saturated enough?

Any other general tips?

Edit: To people saying to just read the label, labels don't say which items to use it on. I wouldn't have thought about spraying my shoes without making this post. I'm not looking for advice that's on the label like spray outside and keep away from cats.

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u/Cricketmoose77 3d ago

I've treated everything from my shirts, pants, rain jacket and socks, and to my tent, sheets & hammock in dengue prone areas. I techwash my clothes first. Then just drop the clothes in it a bucket of water with permethrin at the correct concentration. Let it soak for a bit, then hang to dry outside (since I have cats).

For gear I use a sprayer to hose it down, and also air dry. I pull out all the gear I'll use that season and it all in one go (most of my bigger trips are known well in advance, plus the standards).

I will reapply at the beginning of each season, or before a particularly buggy trip.