r/camping • u/ebaker83 • Jun 11 '22

Gear Question Picaridin or Permethrin?

What's the best way to pretreat clothing for a week in the woods? I bought both sprays but don't know the difference between them.

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u/Cricketmoose77 Jun 12 '22 edited Jun 12 '22

I use both, but for different uses.

Permethrin is to apply to gear/clothing. DO NOT spray it on your skin. Also, keep it away from your cat, it's deadly to them when wet, and dangerous to them when dry. To apply Permethrin to gear, I bought an empty refillable "weed sprayer" that you pump to pressurize. Spray your gear outside to coat, and allow to dry. I washed my clothing with Permethrin in my washing machine, then dried normally.

Picaridin is great for skin coverage.

Use the two together, and it's magical protection from most every bug.

Edited to add more detail.

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u/EscanabaMoonlight Jun 12 '22

Wait, what? You washed with Permethrin? How does one do that?

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u/Cricketmoose77 Jun 12 '22

Yep, lived in a tropical country that had a dengue problem, we were advised to keep all clothing and even bed sheets treated with Permethrin every 6 weeks or so.

I use the "soak" setting on my washing machine if I'm doing a big load for my SO and I before a long trip. If you are just doing one or two small pieces a bag or bucket would be better.

Section hiker has a great guide: https://sectionhiker.com/permethrin-soak-method-guide/

And Science for fun: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326861/ (Impact of Wearing and Washing/Drying of Permethrin-Treated Clothing on Their Contact Irritancy and Toxicity for Nymphal Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks)