Other plant oils 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.

Other plant oils25(b) exempt: lemongrass, peppermint, cedar, soybean, others

Permethrina synthetic pyrethroid insecticide

Per EPA's tool

Other plant oils

Exempt, not registered; Not in EPA’s tool.

Permethrin

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

What is it, and where does it come from?

Other plant oils

EPA names citronella, cedar, geranium, peppermint and soybean oils as examples of ingredients in unregistered repellents.

Source and detail: NPIC, US EPA

These are the plant oils EPA allows in repellents sold without registration: EPA's page on regulating skin-applied repellents names citronella oil, cedar oil, geranium oil, peppermint oil and soybean oil as examples of ingredients used in unregistered repellents. EPA's 1997 citronella fact sheet dates the exempting rule to February 28, 1996, under FIFRA Section 25(b). NPIC adds that no EPA-registered repellent contains garlic oil, rosemary, lemongrass, thyme or geraniol oils as active ingredients.

Examples of ingredients used in unregistered repellents are: Citronella oil. Cedar oil. Geranium oil. Peppermint and peppermint oil. Soybean oil.
US EPA, Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents, last updated June 25, 2026

Because EPA has determined that certain "minimum risk pesticides" pose little to no risk to human health or the environment, EPA has exempted them from the requirement that they be registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
US EPA, Minimum Risk Pesticides Exempted from FIFRA Registration, last updated August 31, 2026

On February 28, 1996, the Agency issued a rule exempting certain pesticides, including oil of citronella, from regulation under FIFRA. In order to be eligible for this exemption (under FIFRA Section 25(b)), the oil of citronella products must meet all of the criteria listed below:
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997

Some of these other repellents may be minimum risk pesticides and may not have to be registered with the EPA. There are no EPA-registered repellents that contain garlic oil, rosemary, lemongrass, thyme, or geraniol oils as active ingredients.
NPIC, Insect Repellents Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed February 2018

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?

Other plant oils

Exempt from registration under FIFRA Section 25(b); EPA says it is considering removing personal repellents from the exemption.

Source and detail: US EPA

Exempt under FIFRA Section 25(b): EPA says it has determined that certain minimum risk pesticides pose little to no risk to human health or the environment and has exempted them from FIFRA registration. As of EPA's personal-repellents page, read September 2026, EPA says it is considering a future rulemaking to remove personal mosquito and tick repellents from the exemption, after which they would need registration before sale.

Because EPA has determined that certain "minimum risk pesticides" pose little to no risk to human health or the environment, EPA has exempted them from the requirement that they be registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
US EPA, Minimum Risk Pesticides Exempted from FIFRA Registration, last updated August 31, 2026

On February 28, 1996, the Agency issued a rule exempting certain pesticides, including oil of citronella, from regulation under FIFRA. In order to be eligible for this exemption (under FIFRA Section 25(b)), the oil of citronella products must meet all of the criteria listed below:
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997

To that end, we have explored rulemaking regarding personal insect repellents and in a future rulemaking are considering a proposal to remove personal mosquito and tick repellents from the minimum risk pesticides exemption currently in 40 CFR 152.25(f). This means that once removed from the exemption, personal mosquito and tick repellents would need to be registered as a pesticide product with EPA before sale or distribution in the United States.
US EPA, Personal Insect Repellents and Minimum Risk Pesticides

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?

Other plant oils

No registered strength exists; EPA requires exempt labels to list every active by name and percentage by weight.

Source and detail: NPIC, US EPA

There is no registered strength to give: a product that meets EPA's six minimum-risk conditions does not need to be registered with EPA. EPA's conditions page says all active ingredients in an exempted product must be listed on the label by display name and percentage by weight. NPIC says higher concentration repellents may protect longer but are not better at keeping insects away, and under 10 percent may only protect for 1 to 2 hours.

A minimum risk product must meet the six conditions listed below. A product that meets all of these six conditions is then exempted from regulation under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), i.e., the pesticide product does not need to be registered with EPA. However, states may require registration under state laws .
US EPA, Conditions for Minimum Risk Pesticides, last updated August 31, 2026

All of the ingredients in an exempted product (both active and inert) must be listed on the label: All active ingredients must be listed by label display name* and percentage (by weight).
US EPA, Conditions for Minimum Risk Pesticides, Condition 3, last updated August 31, 2026

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?

Other plant oils

EPA publishes no protection time; it says these products have not been evaluated for effectiveness.

Source and detail: US EPA

EPA publishes no protection time for these oils: its page on regulation of skin-applied repellents says products made from these ingredients have not been evaluated for effectiveness, and that repellents without an EPA registration number have not been evaluated by EPA, which cannot advise consumers about their effectiveness. EPA's search tool includes only skin-applied repellents registered by EPA; no unregistered products are listed.

In the 1990s, EPA evaluated the active ingredients in these unregistered products for safety . We determined that the active ingredients posed minimal risk to human health in the percentages found in products on the market. Based on this minimal risk determination, we decided that products made from these ingredients should be exempt from registration. Note that products made from these ingredients have not been evaluated for effectiveness .
US EPA, Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents, last updated June 25, 2026

Repellents that do not bear an EPA registration number have not been evaluated by EPA, and EPA cannot advise consumers about the effectiveness of these products.
US EPA, Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents, last updated June 25, 2026

The results from the search tool include only skin-applied repellent products registered by EPA. No unregistered products are listed.
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?

Other plant oils

EPA says an exempt label may name the pest but not link it to any specific disease.

Source and detail: US EPA

An exempt label may name the pest but not a disease: EPA's conditions page says minimum risk labels may not claim to control insects in a way linking them with any specific disease, and EPA's 1997 citronella fact sheet gives ticks that carry Lyme disease as a claim an exempt product must not bear. EPA also lists Repels all insects as a claim implying a misleading range of effectiveness.

Minimum risk pesticide labels may not bear claims to control rodent, insect or microbial pests in a way that links the pests with any specific disease. The label claim may only be for the pest, as a pest, and not as a disease vector.
US EPA, Conditions for Minimum Risk Pesticides, Condition 4, last updated August 31, 2026

The product must not bear claims either to control or mitigate microorganisms that pose a threat to human health, including but not limited to, disease transmitting bacteria or viruses, or claims to control insects, rodents carrying specific diseases, including, but not limited to, ticks that carry Lyme disease.
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997

Statements about the effectiveness of the product as a pesticide or device. Examples: "Kills all insects" "Kills many insects" "Repels all insects" These label claims may imply a misleading range of effectiveness.
US EPA, Conditions for Minimum Risk Pesticides, Condition 6, last updated August 31, 2026

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?

Other plant oils

No agency statement found; CDC's list of actives without age restriction includes no exempt plant oil.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book

No agency we read gives an age floor for the exempt oils as a class. CDC's statement that certain actives can be used on children without age restriction names DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and 2-undecanone; no exempt plant oil is on that list.

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?

Other plant oils

No CDC, WHO or EPA statement found; CDC's pregnancy list of actives includes no exempt plant oil.

Source and detail: CDC Travelers' Health

No CDC, WHO or EPA statement on the exempt oils 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, and no exempt plant oil is on that list.

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?

Other plant oils

EPA found minimal risk at market percentages in the 1990s; NPIC says essential oils are less widely studied.

Source and detail: NPIC, US EPA

EPA says that in the 1990s it evaluated the active ingredients in these unregistered products for safety and determined they posed minimal risk to human health in the percentages found in products on the market, the basis on which it exempted them. NPIC says the health risks and efficacy of essential oils have not been as widely studied as common insect repellents.

In the 1990s, EPA evaluated the active ingredients in these unregistered products for safety . We determined that the active ingredients posed minimal risk to human health in the percentages found in products on the market. Based on this minimal risk determination, we decided that products made from these ingredients should be exempt from registration. Note that products made from these ingredients have not been evaluated for effectiveness .
US EPA, Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents, last updated June 25, 2026

The health risks and efficacy of essential oils have not been as widely studied as common insect repellents.
NPIC, Insect Repellents Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed February 2018

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?

Other plant oils

No agency statement found.

Source and detail: US EPA

No agency statement about the exempt oils and plastics, fabrics or gear was among the sources read. EPA says repellents that do not bear an EPA registration number have not been evaluated by EPA, and that it cannot advise consumers about the effectiveness of those products.

Repellents that do not bear an EPA registration number have not been evaluated by EPA, and EPA cannot advise consumers about the effectiveness of these products.
US EPA, Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents, last updated June 25, 2026

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?

Other plant oils

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, and that most insect repellents do not work against lice or fleas. No agency statement specific to the exempt oils and pets was among the sources read.

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?

Other plant oils

One 2002 trial found a soybean-oil repellent averaged 94.6 minutes; other botanicals tested averaged under 20 minutes.

Source and detail: Fradin MS, Maia MF

Fradin and Day, New England Journal of Medicine, 2002: a soybean-oil-based repellent protected against mosquito bites for an average of 94.6 minutes, the other botanicals tested for a mean under 20 minutes, and the authors concluded that the non-DEET repellents available at the time could not be relied on for prolonged protection where mosquito-borne diseases are a substantial threat. Maia and Moore, Malaria Journal, 2011, found insufficient studies had followed WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme guidelines.

A soybean-oil-based repellent protected against mosquito bites for an average of 94.6 minutes. The IR3535-based repellent protected for an average of 22.9 minutes. All other botanical repellents we tested provided protection for a mean duration of less than 20 minutes. Repellent-impregnated wristbands offered no protection.
Fradin MS, Day JF. Comparative efficacy of insect repellents against mosquito bites. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(1):13-8. PMID 12097535

CONCLUSIONS: Currently available non-DEET repellents do not provide protection for durations similar to those of DEET-based repellents and cannot be relied on to provide prolonged protection in environments where mosquito-borne diseases are a substantial threat.
Fradin MS, Day JF. Comparative efficacy of insect repellents against mosquito bites. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(1):13-8. PMID 12097535

To date insufficient studies have followed standard WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme guidelines for repellent testing. There is a need for further standardized studies in order to better evaluate repellent compounds and develop new products that offer high repellency as well as good consumer safety.
Maia MF, Moore SJ. Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development and testing. Malar J. 2011;10 Suppl 1:S11. PMID 21411012

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.

18 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, Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents, last updated June 25, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/regulation-skin-applied-repellents
NPIC, Insect Repellents Fact Sheet, Oregon State University Extension Services, date reviewed February 2018. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/repellents.html
US EPA, Minimum Risk Pesticides Exempted from FIFRA Registration, last updated August 31, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/minimum-risk-pesticides
US EPA, Conditions for Minimum Risk Pesticides, Condition 6, last updated August 31, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/minimum-risk-pesticides/conditions-minimum-risk-pesticides
Maia MF, Moore SJ. Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development and testing. Malar J. 2011;10 Suppl 1:S11. PMID 21411012. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21411012/
US EPA, R.E.D. FACTS, Oil of Citronella, EPA-738-F-97-002, February 1997. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/reregistration/fs_PC-021901_1-Feb-97.pdf
US EPA, Personal Insect Repellents and Minimum Risk Pesticides. https://www.epa.gov/minimum-risk-pesticides/personal-insect-repellents-and-minimum-risk-pesticides
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
Fradin MS, Day JF. Comparative efficacy of insect repellents against mosquito bites. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(1):13-8. PMID 12097535. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12097535/
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/