Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent

Sawyer Permethrin is the heavy-duty choice for clothing and gear, not skin. It is overkill for most backyard use, but it is the product we use for prolonged deep-woods outings, tick-heavy areas, camping trips, and places where mosquito-borne viruses are more common.

Unlike a spray you apply to exposed skin, permethrin bonds to fabric and is used to treat clothing, socks, shoes, tents, sleeping bags, and other gear. Sawyer says one treatment lasts up to 6 weeks or 6 washes, and the formula is odorless once dry.

This is not a casual spray-and-go repellent. It needs to be applied ahead of time, allowed to dry fully, and kept off skin. Avoid using it on clothing or gear that infants or very young kids may chew or put in their mouths.