Pyrethrum and Permethrin are similar but are not the same thing. To most humans and mammals except cats neither is very toxic. To insects and aquatic life it's a different story. Pyrethrum breaks down quickly from sunlight and water, Permethrin takes weeks. I'd still use Permethrin on my clothes, but wouldn't be sprinkling it on my food.
Ikaridin on skin seems to be best protection against ticks. DEET works only in very high doses but even then ikaridin is better. Then again, for mosquitoes nothing beats DEET.
Yes, I did know that. But I don't soak the clothes, I just spray per the instructions.You know that Sawyers is a watered down mix, right ?
It's the same .5% recommended here.
I've used the Sawyer brand spray many times and swear by it. After my last safari I think it lasts through about 4 washes. The reason I say this is that I only used two sets of clothes for the most part and toward the end of a 13 day safari I got some mosquito bites but none at the beginning. I also proved the worth of the Avon skin so soft lotion that is sunscreen and insect repellent. It worked nearly flawlessly on tetse flies.
This is why everyone should use Sawyer brand clothing spray.I dont know if it was because of the mix I used or just a little sensitive, but I broke out with a slight rash on my arms and legs the first day. After 2 washings and putting on long john's and long sleeve t shirt my rash and itching cleared up after a couple of days.
Either a rash from permethrin or I from a patch of African poison ivy.
It was a 25% perm/75% water,(in a 20 ounce spray bottle) and wetted--not dampened my clothes and boots.
Its probably OK to soak, but it isn't recommended on the label. It actually recommends drying for 2-4 hours depending on humidity after outside spraying. Suppose they don't want folks complaining about getting burnt.
