Protect
Wearing tick-repellent clothing is a great way to prevent tick bites when you are outdoors. Products containing permethrin kill ticks. It can be used as a spray treatment on shoes, clothing and camping gear, and can remain protective through several washings. You can also buy clothes that are pre-treated.
Permethrin
A study done by the University of Rhode Island showed that subjects wearing shoes treated with permethrin were 73.6 times less likely to have a tick bite than those wearing untreated footwear. Permethrin is safe to touch once dry and effective for up to 6 weeks, depending on the brand.
Permethrin should never be applied to skin; use as directed on the product label and always follow product safety instructions. Permethrin is safe for pets once your clothes have dried, but NOT safe for pets when wet, especially for cats or small dogs. Learn more about protecting your pets from tick bites.
Layers of Tick Protection for Yourself and Loved Ones
Learn how to choose insect repellent sprays to protect against tick bites on your skin.
Discover ways to protect family and visitors in your yard by preventing ticks from living there on the Create a Tick-Free Yard page.
Learn more about how to protect your pets from ticks and how to check them for ticks on our Pets page.