Catnip oil vs Permethrin

The same eleven questions, side by side, each answer in the agency's words. No verdict from us: we sell a product built on one of these actives, so the agencies do the talking.

Catnip oilNepeta cataria oil

Permethrina synthetic pyrethroid insecticide

Per EPA's tool

Catnip oil

Registered; 4 products in EPA's tool; 7 h mosquitoes; ticks not listed.

Permethrin

Registered since 1979; CDC says fabric only, never skin; Not in EPA’s tool.

What is it, and where does it come from?

Catnip oil

EPA calls it a refined extract of oil of Nepeta cataria, a mint-family plant also known as catmint.

Source and detail: Feaster JE et al. Dihydronepetalactones deter feeding activity by mosquitoes, US EPA

Catnip oil is a refined, multi-component extract of oil of Nepeta cataria, a member of the mint family, according to EPA's December 2008 fact sheet, and EPA's skin-applied ingredients page lists it as Nepeta cataria, also known as catmint. Feaster and colleagues, Journal of Medical Entomology, 2009, state that the essential oil of catmint contains nepetalactones, which on hydrogenation yield dihydronepetalactones.

The active ingredient is a refined, multi-component extract of Oil Nepeta cataria which is a member of the mint family of plants (Labiatae).
US EPA, Hydrogenated Catmint Oil Fact Sheet, PC Code 004801, December 29, 2008

Catnip oil -- EPA pesticide regulatory information (Nepeta cataria, also known as catmint) (4 products)
US EPA, Skin-Applied Repellent Ingredients, last updated January 23, 2026

The essential oil of catmint, Nepeta cataria L., contains nepetalactones, that, on hydrogenation, yield the corresponding dihydronepetalactone (DHN) diastereomers.
Feaster JE et al. Dihydronepetalactones deter feeding activity by mosquitoes, stable flies, and deer ticks. J Med Entomol. 2009;46(4):832-40. PMID 19645285

Permethrin

A synthetic pyrethroid that NPIC says acts like natural chrysanthemum extracts, registered by EPA as an insecticide.

Source and detail: EPA, NPIC

Permethrin is an insecticide in the pyrethroid family; NPIC's permethrin fact sheet says pyrethroids are synthetic chemicals that act like natural extracts from the chrysanthemum flower. EPA's Repellent-Treated Clothing page describes it as a broad spectrum, non-systemic, synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, registered as an insecticide for a variety of settings, and says that when used to pre-treat clothing it is an insect repellent.

Permethrin is an insecticide in the pyrethroid family. Pyrethroids are synthetic chemicals that act like natural extracts from the chrysanthemum flower.
NPIC, Permethrin General Fact Sheet

Permethrin is a broad spectrum, non-systemic, synthetic pyrethroid insecticide that targets adults and larvae of many species of biting, chewing, scaling, soil, and flying invertebrates. Permethrin is registered by the EPA as an insecticide for use in a variety of settings. When used to pre-treat clothing, it is an insect repellent.
EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing

How does EPA treat it?

Catnip oil

Registered: EPA lists 4 products; a technical grade registration was granted December 5, 2008.

Source and detail: US EPA

Registered. EPA's skin-applied ingredients page lists catnip oil with 4 products, and EPA's 2008 fact sheet records that on December 5, 2008 the Agency granted registration for a technical grade refined oil of Nepeta cataria product, then the only registered biochemical pesticide product with that active.

Catnip oil -- EPA pesticide regulatory information (Nepeta cataria, also known as catmint) (4 products)
US EPA, Skin-Applied Repellent Ingredients, last updated January 23, 2026

On December 5, 2008, the Agency granted the registration for a technical grade Refined Oil of Nepeta cateria product, containing 100% by weight active ingredient. The product mentioned above, is the only registered biochemical pesticide product containing Refined Oil of Nepeta cateria as an active ingredient.
US EPA, Hydrogenated Catmint Oil Fact Sheet, PC Code 004801, December 29, 2008

Permethrin

Registered since 1979, EPA says; on clothing by the military since 1990, factory-treated consumer clothing since 2003.

Source and detail: EPA

Registered since 1979, per EPA's Repellent-Treated Clothing page, which says permethrin was first registered in 1990 as a repellent on clothing by the military and that factory-treated consumer clothing was first registered in 2003. EPA's sentence is "The only insect repellent currently used for factory treatment of clothing is permethrin."

Permethrin has been registered since 1979. It was first registered in 1990 for use as a repellent on clothing by the military. At about the same time, we also approved permethrin as a spray for use on clothing and gear by consumers, as well as for commercial factory treatment of clothing and various types of gear. In 2003, we first registered consumer-oriented, permethrin factory-treated clothing products.
EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing

The only insect repellent currently used for factory treatment of clothing is permethrin.
EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing

What strengths are registered, and does strength change protection?

Catnip oil

15 percent on the record: a label states 15 percent, and EPA's tool lists a 15 percent lotion.

Source and detail: NPIC, US EPA, US EPA accepted label

15 percent on the record: the EPA-accepted label for EPA Reg. No. 352-905 identifies the active as refined oil of Nepeta cataria at 15.0 percent, and EPA's search tool lists a 15 percent lotion, Refined Oil Of Nepeta Cataria 15% Lotion, under EPA Reg. No. 71654-23. NPIC says higher concentration repellents may protect for longer but are not better at keeping insects away.

Refined Oil of Nepeta cataria 15.0% Other Ingredients 85.0%
US EPA accepted label, Refined Oil of Nepeta cataria 15% Liquid, EPA Reg. No. 352-905, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, 03/10/2017

Refined Oil Of Nepeta Cataria 15% Lotion | 7 | X | Catnip Oil | 15 | E.I. Dupont de Nemours and Company | 71654-23
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results application, fetched 2026-09-22

Higher concentration repellents may protect people for longer. However, they are not better at keeping insects away. 5,6,7 Repellents with less than 10% of an active ingredient may only offer protection for short periods of time (1-2 hours).
NPIC, Insect Repellents Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed February 2018

Permethrin

Permethrin at 0.5% on clothing repels and kills ticks, chiggers and mosquitoes, CDC says; labels list 0.50%.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book, EPA stamped label

CDC's Yellow Book says that at a concentration of 0.5 percent, permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes and other biting and nuisance arthropods. The accepted label for a permethrin clothing treatment, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, gives its active ingredient as permethrin 0.50 percent, and the accepted hang-tag label for factory-treated apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, gives permethrin at 0.52 percent.

At a concentration of 0.5%, permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes, and other biting and nuisance arthropods.
CDC Yellow Book, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-19)

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Permethrin*……..……. 0.50%
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015

Permethrin 0.52%
EPA stamped label, Insect Shield Repellent Apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, dated May 15, 2017

How long does EPA say it protects?

Catnip oil

EPA's tool lists 7 hours for mosquitoes and no tick registration.

Source and detail: US EPA, US EPA accepted label

7 hours for mosquitoes, no tick registration: EPA's search tool lists a 15 percent lotion, EPA Reg. No. 71654-23, at 7 hours for mosquitoes and an X for ticks, which the tool's legend defines as not registered for tick protection. EPA says those times were approved for labels from company data, from a database last updated in June 2019. The accepted label for EPA Reg. No. 352-905 says reapply after 4 to 6 hours or as needed; EPA's 2008 fact sheet says reapplication after six hours will be necessary.

Refined Oil Of Nepeta Cataria 15% Lotion | 7 | X | Catnip Oil | 15 | E.I. Dupont de Nemours and Company | 71654-23
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results application, fetched 2026-09-22

An "X" indicates that the repellent product has not been registered for protection from ticks.
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results application, fetched 2026-09-22

Reapply after 4 -6 hours (or as needed).
US EPA accepted label, Refined Oil of Nepeta cataria 15% Liquid, EPA Reg. No. 352-905, 03/10/2017

For the active ingredient to be effective, reapplication after six hours will be necessary.
US EPA, Hydrogenated Catmint Oil Fact Sheet, PC Code 004801, December 29, 2008

The information in this database was last updated in June 2019.
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, last updated September 8, 2026

Protection Times - These protection times have been approved for product labels. These times are based on the technical information provided by the company on the effectiveness of the product against mosquitoes and/or ticks.
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results application, fetched 2026-09-22

The registration number means the company provided EPA with technical information on the safety of the product and its effectiveness against mosquitoes and/or ticks. While this technical information is based on scientific testing guidelines and approved study methods, there are variations in the resulting protection times because of differences in the testing conditions.
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, last updated September 8, 2026

Permethrin

Labels say six weeks or six washes when you treat clothing, 70, 50 or 25 washings when factory-treated.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book, EPA stamped label

The accepted label for a 0.5 percent permethrin clothing treatment, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, says protection lasts a minimum of six weeks, with retreatment after six weeks or the sixth laundering; the hang-tag for factory-treated apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, says repellency remains effective for a bracketed 70, 50 or 25 washings. CDC's Yellow Book says treated materials retain repellency after repeated launderings but should be retreated per the label.

This product contains an active ingredient, which actually binds to the fabric being treated, providing residual protection, which lasts a minimum of six weeks [42 days], and holds up through several machine washings. Follow standard laundering procedures. Clothing should be retreated after six weeks [42 days] or after the sixth laundering to maintain adequate protection.
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015

REPELLENCY REMAINS EFFECTIVE FOR [70][50][25] WASHINGS
EPA stamped label, Insect Shield Repellent Apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, dated May 15, 2017

Permethrin-treated materials retain repellency or insecticidal activity after repeated launderings but should be retreated as described on the product label to provide continued protection. Clothing treated before purchase is labeled for efficacy through many launderings.
CDC Yellow Book, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-19)

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Permethrin*……..……. 0.50%
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015

Which pests do accepted labels name, and what does CDC say those pests carry?

Catnip oil

A label names mosquitoes and blackflies; EPA's tool shows no tick registration.

Source and detail: US EPA, US EPA accepted label

Mosquitoes and blackflies. The EPA-accepted label for EPA Reg. No. 352-905 says the product repels mosquitoes and blackflies for up to 7 hours, and EPA's 2008 fact sheet says the active is intended for a skin-applied repellent to repel black flies, mosquitoes and other biting insects. EPA's search tool shows an X in the tick column for the 15 percent lotion, meaning not registered for protection from ticks.

Repels mosquitoes and blackflies for up to 7 hours.
US EPA accepted label, Refined Oil of Nepeta cataria 15% Liquid, EPA Reg. No. 352-905, 03/10/2017

Target pests: The technical grade Hydrogenated Catmint Oil (HCO) is intended for use in the manufacture of a dermal applied insect repellent for direct application to human skin to repel black flies, mosquitoes and other biting insects.
US EPA, Hydrogenated Catmint Oil Fact Sheet, PC Code 004801, December 29, 2008

Refined Oil Of Nepeta Cataria 15% Lotion | 7 | X | Catnip Oil | 15 | E.I. Dupont de Nemours and Company | 71654-23
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results application, fetched 2026-09-22

An "X" indicates that the repellent product has not been registered for protection from ticks.
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results application, fetched 2026-09-22

Permethrin

Labels name mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, mites, ants, flies and midges.

Source and detail: EPA stamped label

The accepted label for a 0.5 percent permethrin clothing treatment, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, says it repels and kills mosquitoes, chiggers, mites and ticks, in the label's words "including Ticks which carry Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever." The accepted hang-tag label for factory-treated apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, claims that it repels mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and midges.

To repel & kill mosquitoes, chiggers, mites and ticks, including Ticks which carry Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015

REPELS MOSQUITOES, TICKS, ANTS, FLIES, CHIGGERS, AND MIDGES
EPA stamped label, Insect Shield Repellent Apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, dated May 15, 2017

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Permethrin*……..……. 0.50%
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015

What do the agencies say about children?

Catnip oil

No minimum age from any agency or label; a label says children must not apply it themselves.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book, US EPA accepted label

No minimum age appears on the label or in any agency statement read for this active. The EPA-accepted label for EPA Reg. No. 352-905 says only that children must not be allowed to handle the product or apply it to themselves. CDC's statement that certain actives can be used on children without age restriction names DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and 2-undecanone, and does not mention catnip oil either way.

Do not allow children to handle the product or apply it to themselves.
US EPA accepted label, Refined Oil of Nepeta cataria 15% Liquid, EPA Reg. No. 352-905, 03/10/2017

Insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and 2-undecanone can be used on children without age restriction
CDC Yellow Book, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-19)

Permethrin

No minimum age stated; EPA's 2009 review called treated clothing unlikely to pose significant hazard, toddlers included.

Source and detail: EPA

No CDC, EPA or label source we read states a minimum age for wearing permethrin-treated clothing. The closest agency statement is EPA's: its 2009 revised exposure and risk assessment evaluated multiple exposure scenarios for permethrin factory-treated clothing, including toddlers wearing or mouthing the clothing, and all scenarios showed the clothing is unlikely to pose any significant immediate or long-term hazard to people wearing it.

Our 2009 revised exposure and risk assessment evaluated multiple exposure scenarios for permethrin factory-treated clothing, including toddlers wearing or mouthing the clothing, and military personnel who wear permethrin-treated uniforms on a daily basis. All exposure scenarios showed that permethrin factory-treated clothing is unlikely to pose any significant immediate or long-term hazard to people wearing the clothing.
EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing

What do CDC and WHO say about pregnancy?

Catnip oil

No CDC, WHO or EPA statement found; CDC's pregnancy list of actives does not include catnip oil.

Source and detail: CDC Travelers' Health

No statement from CDC, WHO or EPA on catnip oil and pregnancy was among the sources read. CDC's statement that EPA-registered repellents are proven safe and effective for pregnant and breastfeeding women when used as directed is attached to a named list of actives that does not include catnip oil.

When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. If also using sunscreen, always apply insect repellent after sunscreen. DEET Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US) IR3535 Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) Para-menthane-diol (PMD) 2-undecanone
CDC Travelers' Health, Avoid Bug Bites

Permethrin

EPA says no evidence of reproductive or developmental effects to mother or child; no CDC statement found.

Source and detail: EPA

EPA's Repellent-Treated Clothing page says that, based on its review of scientific studies, there is no evidence of reproductive or developmental effects to mother or child following exposure to permethrin. No CDC or WHO page we read makes a permethrin-specific pregnancy statement.

Based on our review of scientific studies, there is no evidence of reproductive or developmental effects to mother or child following exposure to permethrin.
EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing

What do NPIC and EPA report about absorption and toxicity?

Catnip oil

A label warns of substantial but temporary eye injury; EPA says eye irritation drives its strict application directions.

Source and detail: US EPA, US EPA accepted label

The accepted label for EPA Reg. No. 352-905 says the product causes substantial but temporary eye injury and must not get in eyes or on clothing. EPA's 2008 fact sheet classifies the technical grade active ingredient in Toxicity Category III for acute oral toxicity and primary eye irritation, and Category IV for acute dermal, acute inhalation and skin irritation, and says that eye irritation potential is why the Agency requires stringent application directions.

Causes substantial but temporary eye injury. Do not get in eyes or on clothing.
US EPA accepted label, Refined Oil of Nepeta cataria 15% Liquid, EPA Reg. No. 352-905, 03/10/2017

The technical grade active ingredient is classified in Toxicity Category III for acute oral toxicity and primary eye irritation and Toxicity Category IV for acute dermal, acute inhalation and skin irritation.
US EPA, Hydrogenated Catmint Oil Fact Sheet, PC Code 004801, December 29, 2008

Since Hydrogenated Catmint Oil (HCO) has the potential for eye irritation, the Agency is requiring stringent application directions.
US EPA, Hydrogenated Catmint Oil Fact Sheet, PC Code 004801, December 29, 2008

Permethrin

EPA says treated clothing gives low exposure and skin absorbs it poorly; NPIC says it may irritate skin.

Source and detail: EPA, NPIC

EPA's Repellent-Treated Clothing page says the amount of permethrin allowed in clothing is very low, that human exposure from wearing permethrin factory-treated clothing is low, and that available data show permethrin is poorly absorbed through the skin. NPIC says people who get permethrin on their skin may have irritation or tingling, burning and itching at that spot, and in the eyes it can cause redness, pain or burning.

The amount of permethrin allowed in clothing is very low, and scientific studies indicate that human exposure resulting from wearing permethrin factory-treated clothing also is low. Available data show that permethrin is poorly absorbed through the skin.
EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing

When people get permethrin on their skin, they may have irritation or tingling, burning and itching at that spot. If permethrin gets in the eyes it can cause redness, pain or burning.
NPIC, Permethrin General Fact Sheet

Does it damage plastics, fabrics or gear?

Catnip oil

A label claims it won't harm plastics, and says do not get it on clothing.

Source and detail: US EPA accepted label

The EPA-accepted label for EPA Reg. No. 352-905 permits the optional marketing claim that the product won't harm plastics, and the same label says do not get the product on clothing. No agency test of catnip oil on plastics, fabrics or gear was among the sources read.

Won't harm plastics
US EPA accepted label, Refined Oil of Nepeta cataria 15% Liquid, EPA Reg. No. 352-905, optional marketing language, 03/10/2017

Causes substantial but temporary eye injury. Do not get in eyes or on clothing.
US EPA accepted label, Refined Oil of Nepeta cataria 15% Liquid, EPA Reg. No. 352-905, 03/10/2017

Permethrin

CDC says never on skin, only clothing, nets and fabrics; a label adds tents, sleeping bags and backpacks.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book, EPA stamped label

CDC's Yellow Book says permethrin should never be applied to skin, only to clothing, nets or other fabrics as the label directs. The label for a 0.5 percent permethrin treatment, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, lists netting, tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, hammocks and camping chairs, with no treating inside a sleeping bag and only the exterior surfaces of a tent sprayed; the hang-tag for factory-treated apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, says dry cleaning removes the active ingredient.

Permethrin should never be applied to the skin but only to clothing, mosquito nets, or other fabrics as directed on the product label.
CDC Yellow Book, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-19)

GEAR: MOSQUITO NETTING, NETS, TENTS, CANOPIES, SCREEN ENCLOSURES, SLEEPING BAGS, BACKPACKS, GROUNDCLOTHS, HAMMOCKS AND CAMPING CHAIRS: Do not treat inside of sleeping bag. Spray exterior surfaces of tent only.
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015

DRYCLEANING REMOVES ACTIVE INGREDIENT- DO NOT DRY CLEAN
EPA stamped label, Insect Shield Repellent Apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, dated May 15, 2017

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: Permethrin*……..……. 0.50%
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015

What do the agencies say about pets?

Catnip oil

Only EPA's general rule applies: nothing on pets unless the label says so.

Source and detail: EPA, US EPA

EPA's page on using insect repellents says not to use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals. Nothing read from EPA, CDC or NPIC addresses catnip oil repellent and cats or other pets, so that general instruction is the whole of the record.

Do not use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals. Most insect repellents do not work against lice or fleas.
US EPA, Using Insect Repellents Safely and Effectively

Do not use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals.
EPA, Using Insect Repellents Safely and Effectively

Permethrin

NPIC says cats are more sensitive than dogs or people because they break it down slowly.

Source and detail: NPIC

NPIC says permethrin is more toxic to insects than to people and dogs, and that cats are more sensitive than dogs or people because their bodies take a long time to break it down. NPIC's technical fact sheet describes a report of 11 cats intentionally treated with products containing 45 to 65 percent permethrin: all 11 were hospitalized, with muscle tremors, seizures, incoordination and agitation, and four died.

Permethrin is more toxic to insects than it is to people and dogs. This is because insects can't break it down as quickly as people and dogs. Cats are more sensitive to permethrin than dogs or people because it takes their bodies a long time to break it down.
NPIC, Permethrin General Fact Sheet

A report of 11 cats intentionally treated with products containing 45-65% permethrin described adverse effects including muscle tremors, seizures, incoordination and agitation after exposure. Of the 11 cats that were treated, all were hospitalized, and four died after the exposure.
NPIC, Permethrin Technical Fact Sheet (archived)

Which studies are on the record?

Catnip oil

One 2009 trial tested isolated catmint compounds at 10 percent, not the registered products: 3.5 and 5 hours.

Source and detail: Feaster JE et al. Dihydronepetalactones deter feeding activity by mosquitoes, US EPA accepted label

Feaster and colleagues, Journal of Medical Entomology, 2009, tested two dihydronepetalactone diastereomers derived from catmint oil at 10 percent: each conferred complete protection from bites for a significant period, 3.5 and 5 hours respectively, the second statistically equivalent to DEET. Those figures are for the isolated compounds at 10 percent, not for the 15 percent refined oil of Nepeta cataria products EPA registers.

Both DHN 1 and DHN 2 at 10% (wt:vol) conferred complete protection from bites for significant periods of time (3.5 and 5 h, respectively), with DHN2 conferring protection statistically equivalent to DEET.
Feaster JE et al. Dihydronepetalactones deter feeding activity by mosquitoes, stable flies, and deer ticks. J Med Entomol. 2009;46(4):832-40. PMID 19645285

The essential oil of catmint, Nepeta cataria L., contains nepetalactones, that, on hydrogenation, yield the corresponding dihydronepetalactone (DHN) diastereomers.
Feaster JE et al. Dihydronepetalactones deter feeding activity by mosquitoes, stable flies, and deer ticks. J Med Entomol. 2009;46(4):832-40. PMID 19645285

Refined Oil of Nepeta cataria 15.0% Other Ingredients 85.0%
US EPA accepted label, Refined Oil of Nepeta cataria 15% Liquid, EPA Reg. No. 352-905, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, 03/10/2017

Permethrin

One trial found 3.36 times fewer tick bites on subjects wearing permethrin-treated outfits than untreated ones.

Source and detail: Miller NJ

Miller 2011 (Journal of Medical Entomology) found that subjects wearing outfits treated with permethrin received 3.36 times fewer tick bites than subjects wearing untreated outfits, with no statistically significant difference between commercial permethrin treatment and the do-at-home application method. In the same study, 97.6 percent of nymphs attached to subjects in untreated outfits were alive, against 22.6 percent on subjects in repellent-treated outfits.

Subjects wearing outfits treated with permethrin received 3.36 times fewer tick bites than subjects wearing untreated outfits. No statistically significant differences in number of tick bites were detected between commercial permethrin treatment (19.33%) and the do-at-home permethrin application method (24.67%).
Miller NJ, Rainone EE, Dyer MC, Gonzalez ML, Mather TN. Tick bite protection with permethrin-treated summer-weight clothing. J Med Entomol. 2011 Mar;48(2):327-33. PMID 21485369

On subjects wearing untreated outfits, 97.6% of attached nymphs were alive, whereas significantly fewer (22.6%) attached nymphs were alive on subjects wearing repellent-treated outfits.
Miller NJ, et al. J Med Entomol. 2011 Mar;48(2):327-33. PMID 21485369

Sources on this page.

16 sources. Every quote was fetched on or before 2026-09-22 and is stored with the page. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. All ten actives.

US EPA, Skin-Applied Repellent Ingredients, last updated January 23, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/skin-applied-repellent-ingredients
US EPA, Hydrogenated Catmint Oil Fact Sheet, PC Code 004801, December 29, 2008. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/registration/fs_PC-004801_29-Dec-08.pdf
Feaster JE et al. Dihydronepetalactones deter feeding activity by mosquitoes, stable flies, and deer ticks. J Med Entomol. 2009;46(4):832-40. PMID 19645285. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19645285/
US EPA accepted label, Refined Oil of Nepeta cataria 15% Liquid, EPA Reg. No. 352-905, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, 03/10/2017. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/000352-00905-20170310.pdf
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results application, fetched 2026-09-22. https://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s/search_results.cfm
NPIC, Insect Repellents Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed February 2018. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/repellents.html
US EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, last updated September 8, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you
CDC Yellow Book, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-19). https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/environmental-hazards-risks/mosquitoes-ticks-and-other-arthropods.html
CDC Travelers' Health, Avoid Bug Bites. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites
US EPA, Using Insect Repellents Safely and Effectively. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/using-insect-repellents-safely-and-effectively
NPIC, Permethrin General Fact Sheet. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PermGen.html
EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/repellent-treated-clothing
EPA stamped label, CIC Residual Insecticide No. 1, EPA Reg. No. 50404-3, accepted October 6, 2015. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/050404-00003-20151006.pdf
EPA stamped label, Insect Shield Repellent Apparel, EPA Reg. No. 74843-2, dated May 15, 2017. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/074843-00002-20170515.pdf
NPIC, Permethrin Technical Fact Sheet (archived). https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/archive/Permtech.html
Miller NJ, Rainone EE, Dyer MC, Gonzalez ML, Mather TN. Tick bite protection with permethrin-treated summer-weight clothing. J Med Entomol. 2011 Mar;48(2):327-33. PMID 21485369. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21485369/