Quite possibly. DEET should not damage cotton, wool, or nylon. Do not apply to or near acetate, rayon, spandex or other synthetics, furniture, plastic, watch crystals, leather and painted or varnished surfaces including automobiles. Be sure to read the labels, and if in doubt try a sample on an obscure surface area and check it after 24 hours of exposure to DEET.

Because of the way they slow down the evaporation of the active ingredient, lotions always last longer than sprays of comparable concentrations. Sprays are considered to be more convenient but lotions are typically more comfortable to wear.
Our recommendation: Topical lotion on skin and Permethrin spray on clothing.

Some yes, but mostly no. If flies are going to be an issue we recommend using the Sawyer 20% Picaridin topical insect repellent. Picaridin is much more effective against flies than DEET, especially at 20% which is higher than other Picaridin formulas available on the market.

Yes.  We would recommend applying the sunscreen first. The trick to a comfortable and effective application of sunscreen it to put it on first thing in the morning or at least 10 minutes before sun exposure to help it fully absorb into your skin. Our SPF 30 sunscreen is a bonding base formula which makes it very breathable while still very effective. You can learn more about this formula at sawyer.com/sunscreen/

The reason you were told to “get something with at least 30% DEET” is because under older guidelines this was true. Simply put, the higher the percentage of DEET in a given formula, the longer and more effective the protection from insects. Until the introduction of Sawyer Controlled Release Insect Repellent, we would have recommended Sawyer Maxi-DEET® 100% DEET Insect Repellent for the skin. People often confuse concentration with dosage. Lower “dosages” of 100% DEET or DEET mixed in a Controlled Release lotion or even a standard lotion work better than alcohol-based sprays.As an added measure, you may still consider 100% DEET for times of extreme bug density. However, the real question is not how much DEET you start out with, but how much of the active ingredient, DEET, is available at any given time (even hours later) to repel those nasty mosquitoes.Skin repellent with Slow Release Technology–Sawyer Controlled Release 20% DEET Insect Repellent uses sub-micron encapsulation to entrap the DEET. An effective and long lasting insect repellent for use on the skin is a slow release technology that keeps the repellent on the surface of the skin much longer than other formulas. This provides for slower absorption and extended effectiveness against biting insects. The Sawyer Controlled Release Insect Repellent formula provides this type of technology in a formula that is both effective and very comfortable to use.

Because of the way they slow down the evaporation of the DEET, lotions always last considerably longer than sprays of comparable DEET concentrations. Sprays have the advantage of being able to be applied to clothing. Sprays remain effective much longer on clothing than on skin. Since repellents work as a 3″ barrier, clothing applications can often protect 6″ of exposed skin and significantly reduce your usage on skin. Our top recommendation: topical on skin and Permethrin spray on clothing.

Yes.  We would recommend applying the sunscreen first. The trick to a comfortable and effective application of sunscreen it to put it on first thing in the morning or at least 10 minutes before sun exposure to help it fully absorb into your skin.Our SPF 30 sunscreen is a bonding base formula which makes it very breathable while still very effective. You can learn more about this formula at sawyer.com/sunscreen/

Permethrin is a synthetic version of the Chrysanthemum flower’s natural insect repellent pyrethrin. The naturally occurring version breaks down rather quickly in sunlight but Sawyer’s pharmaceutical grade, synthetic Permethrin can last 6 weeks or 6 washings on clothing and other fabrics, making it a fantastic odorless barrier of protection from mosquitoes and ticks.

Yes.  We would recommend applying the sunscreen first. The trick to a comfortable and effective application of sunscreen it to put it on first thing in the morning or at least 10 minutes before sun exposure to help it fully absorb into your skin. Our SPF 30 sunscreen is a bonding base formula which makes it very breathable while still very effective. You can learn more about this formula at sawyer.com/sunscreen/

No. Permethrin will not damage clothes or equipment. Unlike DEET, which may harm some fabrics and materials, Permethrin is compatible for use even on fragile fabrics such as silk, plus all synthetics and waterproof membrane fabrics. Permethrin will not affect plastics or finishes. IF IN DOUBT, try a sample on an obscure surface area, especially on delicates and check it after 24 hours of exposure.Sawyer® Permethrin Insect Repellent is odorless, non-greasy and non-staining after it dries. Permethrin can be harmful to aquatic creatures such as fish, so do not spray Permethrin around fish aquariums.

It is recommended that treating clothing with the permethrin aerosol be performed outdoors. If the treatment is accidentally carried out indoors, no adverse health effects are expected based upon calculations of inhaled dose. However, individuals with breathing problems, such as asthma, may be at greater risk. The odor arising from treating fabric with permethrin is mostly from the aerosol propellants rather than from the insect repellent itself.

A strong bond is formed between permethrin and most fabrics. In fact, some insect repellency was observed in military uniforms following 50 launderings. However, the uniforms were treated using an absorption method instead of the aerosol can. In studies performed by the U.S. Army, about 20 to 30 percent of the permethrin treatment was removed after the first laundering. Thereafter, about 3 to 5 percent was lost to each cycle through ten launderings.

Yes. Picaridin is a fantastic topical insect repellent for the whole family and considered to be the repellent of first choice by the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Advisory Committee on Tropical Medicine and Travel for travelers six months to 12 years of age. Learn more here.

Because of the way they slow down the evaporation of the DEET, lotions always last considerably longer than sprays of comparable DEET concentrations. Sprays have the advantage of being able to be applied to clothing. Sprays remain effective much longer on clothing than on skin. Since repellents work as a 3″ barrier, clothing applications can often protect 6″ of exposed skin and significantly reduce your usage on skin. Our recommendation: topical insect repellent on skin and Permethrin spray on clothing.

Yes, this product may be used on children in accordance with the product’s directions for use. The CDC states: “No definitive studies have been published about what concentration of DEET is safe for children. No serious illness has been reported from use of DEET according the manufacturer’s recommendations. DEET formulations as high as 50% are recommended for both adults and children less than 2 months of age. Lower concentrations are not as long lasting, offering short-term protection only and necessitating more frequent reapplication.” (www.cdc.gov)We recommend Sawyer Controlled Release Insect Repellent Lotion for children. Based on a dermal absorption study accepted by the EPA, Sawyer Controlled Release Insect Repellent is the ONLY currently registered formula proven to reduce DEET absorption. Our EXCLUSIVE Low DEET Absorption formula is proven to reduce DEET by 67% per application! Controlled Release Insect Repellent is odorless, greaseless and compatible with sunscreens.

Quite possibly. DEET should not damage cotton, wool, or nylon. Do not apply to or near acetate, rayon, spandex or other synthetics, furniture, plastic, watch crystals, leather and painted or varnished surfaces including automobiles.Be sure to read the labels, and if in doubt try a sample on an obscure surface area and check it after 24 hours of exposure to DEET.

Some yes, but mostly no. If flies are going to be an issue we recommend using the Sawyer 20% Picaridin topical insect repellent. Picaridin is much more effective against flies than DEET, especially at 20% which is higher than other Picaridin formulas available on the market.

Picaridin is a perfect balance of efficacy, safety and user-friendliness. It repels a wide variety of pests including mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, sand flies, gnats, chiggers, and midges. It is the longest lasting repellent with up to 14 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks and up to 8 hours against a variety of flies, chiggers and gnats. It’s non-greasy, has a pleasant low odor and won’t damage plastics or synthetic coatings. All these factors combined makes Picaridin the optimal topical repellent for the entire family. Check out the data for yourself: Picaridin Research

Studies in animals have demonstrated that no skin irritation or sensitization is expected following direct application. In a controlled human study, permethrin did not cause significant skin irritation or sensitization when tested in 200 subjects. No significant skin effects are expected from wearing permethrin-treated clothing.

The pump spray version of our Permethrin Insect Repellent Treatment will not harm flame retardant garments.

Research into the causes of Gulf War Illness looked at every possible chemical and/or drug that military personnel may have been exposed to during the conflict. There were literally hundreds of substances, and combinations thereof, examined. The 0.5 percent permethrin aerosol was available to personnel in-country during the 1991 war, but its use was minimal since most action occurred during the winter months when insect populations were low or nonexistent. To date, no substantive evidence exists to implicate permethrin as a cause of Gulf War Illness.

Several animal developmental and reproductive studies (up to three generations) have demonstrated the absence of effects on male or female parents, or their offspring, except at exorbitant doses. There are no scientific grounds to suggest that permethrin causes infertility or teratogenic effects in offspring.

Our repellents don’t have an expiration date printed on them because they have a shelf life of 10 years when stored properly.

Permethrin breaks down quickly in the environment. The vapor phase reacts with sunlight to degrade the chemical within a few hours. If released to soil, permethrin is expected to have no mobility. Some will be broken down quickly as a vapor, while the remaining chemical will be absorbed by the soil and biodegraded in less than four weeks. If released into moving water, permethrin is expected to absorb to suspended solids and sediments. Degradation would occur within a few days.

Sawyer Permethrin can be used on dogs but is toxic around cats until it has dried. Permethrin can last up to 6 weeks on your dog depending on the hair type and length, visit sawyer.com/dogs/ to learn more.

An area bomb, which fumigates the room as a whole, is usually recommended as the first line of defense against bed bugs. As you may not be in a position to bug bomb your hotel room while traveling abroad (without offending the natives), the following uses for Permethrin may help:Spray treat at least the upper surfaces of your mattress when you first arrive, with 0.5% Sawyer Permethrin Insect Repellent. Permethrin pump sprays are preferred because they are not restricted for airline travel. Allow the mattress to dry and air out before using it. Cover with a clean sheet for sleeping; do not sleep directly on the treated mattress. If you are concerned about the pillows, uncover them and lightly spray treat them with Permethrin also, re-covering them before use. Use 0.5% Permethrin spray as a residual surface insecticide for cracks and crevices around the room, and as a light spray on stuffed furniture, carpeting, and other fabrics around your sleeping quarters, where bed bugs and other crawling insects may hide.

Cuben Fiber is a high tech laminated material. The top layer is polyester which permetherin will bond to; however, permethrin will not bond to the inner layers of Cuben Fiber. Therefore, permethrin cannot be applied to Cuben Fiber the same way it is applied to other fibers. It will (depending on the size of the material) probably take a few “wettings” to get the necessary 3 ounces dose of permetherin onto the fabric.To apply permethrin correctly use this process spray the object, let it dry, spray again, let it dry, and spray again. If unabsorbed permethrin drips off the Cuben Fiber catch the drippings and reuse the permethrin. Apply as evenly as possible to the Cuben Fiber until the 3 ounce application is fully absorbed.

Permethrin in its liquid form can be toxic to fish and should not be disposed of in waterways. The greatest danger to fish is from accidental spills of permethrin in large quantity. Empty permethrin containers must be disposed of in a landfill. Residues from permethrin-treated clothing are not an environmental hazard since leaching of the chemical from fabric is negligible.

The directions for applying permethrin from the aerosol can to clothing state that the fabric should be allowed to dry before wear or handling. However, contact with the wet material should pose minimal concern but should be washed off. The amount of permethrin available for skin absorption is very low and is not expected to cause adverse effects.

Permethrin is to be applied to clothing and material. It works by bonding to the fibers. When a tick or other insect comes into contact with the Permethrin, it absorbs a dose that will either repel or kill the insect. You apply Permethrin using an aerosol or trigger spray until the fabric is damp and then allow it to dry. Permethrin is easy to use and the resulting layer of protection is very important to your safety from insect-borne diseases.

The warning labels on the cans or bottles are often misunderstood. Your skin metabolizes, or breaks down, Permethrin within fifteen minutes of contact with skin. Therefore, it is of no value to you as a personal protection insect repellent when applied to the skin. In addition, the EPA precautionary statement, “Do Not Apply to Skin” indicates that Permethrin is ineffective when applied to skin; therefore, do not apply to skin.

There is no epidemiological evidence to suggest that permethrin causes cancer in humans. Permethrin underwent over 15 years of testing and literally hundreds of toxicity studies before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved it for use by the public as a fabric treatment. Seven lifetime studies in animals (cancer assays) were performed. The EPA requested the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel, a group of independent experts, to review the collective data and assess the cancer-causing potential of permethrin. The panel concluded that: “…based on all the data together, the oncogenic potential of Permethrin [likelihood of producing tumors] was very weak. The possibility of oncogenic potential in man was extremely remote.” The U.S. Army also commissioned an independent review by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to assure permethrin’s safety for military personnel. Regarding the issue of permethrin carcinogenicity, the NAS noted: “Therefore, the subcommittee concludes that permethrin-impregnation of BDUs [Battle Dress Uniforms] is not a serious carcinogenic risk to field or nonfield military personnel or to garment workers.”

At the concentration level delivered in the aerosol, non-aerosol pump sprays and soak systems (all at 0.5% Permethrin), an application lasts for six weeks and through six washings. Permethrin breaks down through exposure to air (oxygen) and sunlight (ultraviolet light). If you store the clothes in black plastic bags between uses, you can extend the time of effectiveness; however, always retreat after the sixth laundering. Permethrin may also be used on sleeping bags, tents and nettings.

Over the counter Permethrin products carry the statement that Permethrin is a clothing treatment only, and is not to be worn next to the skin. Permethrin is labeled for clothing treatment only and is not to be applied to, or come in direct contact with the skin. This is because, while there are no known side effects of Permethrin usage, no long-term (40 year) studies have been done to determine if there are any long-term usage effects. Therefore, Permethrin should not be used on headphones or headphone foam coverings, or in any manner not specifically indicated on the product label.

Yes. Permethrin clothing treatments, when applied following Directions for Use, have been determined to have “spatial repellency” against mosquitoes. This means that mosquitoes will swarm around you, but not light on your treated clothing and bite.Also use an EPA registered repellent, such as the Sawyer® microencapsulated Controlled Release 20% DEET, on all exposed skin for further protection from biting and blood sucking mosquitoes.The combination of Permethrin on clothing and DEET repellent on skin forms an “Insect Repellent System.” When used as directed on the EPA registered labels, the Insect Repellent System will provide the best protection from biting, blood sucking and disease carrying insects. A well known study conducted by Tom Lillie, Carl Schreck and A. J. Rahe in Alaska in 1987, showed 99.9% effectiveness against mosquitoes biting at a rate of more than 1,100/hr. This protection is far greater than either a DEET based insect repellent or Permethrin can achieve alone.

Permethrin does not increase the biting behavior or aggressiveness of the target insects (arthropods) it is intended to repel or kill.

No, the amount of Sawyer Permethrin Fabric Insect Repellent that can come out via physical contact or water contact is indeterminately small once the treatment has fully dried and bonded with the fabric fibers with our pharmaceutical grade formula. This is not the case for other brand concentrates or agricultural grade formulas.


With the Sawyer formula, think of it like the dye in a t-shirt. It will slowly degrade via UV exposure or the heavy agitation of a washing machine but not be immediately noticeable. You can extend the performance of Sawyer Permethrin treatment fabrics by hand washing them or limiting UV exposure between uses.

Yes once the treatment has fully dried, Sawyer Permethrin treated clothing and gear is completely safe to use wear around cats. Concentrates and agricultural grade formulas pose a much higher threat than our pharmaceutical grade formula.

It is during the application process which cats need to be separated. Do not expose cats to wet permethrin as it affects their central nervous system. This is not true with dogs, horses, or cows. Cats can be around permethrin treated fabrics once the application has dried.