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Picaridin 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.

Picaridinicaridin, KBR 3023
Permethrina synthetic pyrethroid insecticide

Per EPA's tool

Picaridin

Registered; 55 products in EPA's tool; 3 to 14 h mosquitoes, 5 to 14 h ticks.

Permethrin

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

What is it, and where does it come from?

Picaridin

A human-made compound, NPIC says, widely used in Europe and Australia, available in the U.S. only since 2005.

Source and detail: NPIC

Picaridin is a human-made compound first made in the 1980s; NPIC's picaridin fact sheet says it was made to resemble the natural compound piperine, found in the group of plants used to produce black pepper. NPIC says it was widely used as an insect repellent in Europe and Australia but has only been available in the United States since 2005.

Picaridin repels insects, ticks and chiggers. It is a human-made (synthetic) compound first made in the 1980s. It was made to resemble the natural compound piperine, which is found in the group of plants that are used to produce black pepper.

NPIC, Picaridin General Fact Sheet

Picaridin has been widely used as an insect repellent in Europe and Australia, but has only been available in the United States since 2005.

NPIC, Picaridin General Fact Sheet
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?

Picaridin

Registered since 2001; EPA's 2005 fact sheet says normal use does not present a health concern.

Source and detail: EPA

Registered: EPA's 2005 picaridin fact sheet gives 2001 as the year of initial registration. The same fact sheet says picaridin generally is of low acute toxicity and that, based on the available toxicological data, the Agency believes normal use of picaridin does not present a health concern to the general U.S. population.

Year of Initial Registration: 2001

EPA, New Pesticide Fact Sheet: Picaridin, May 2005

Picaridin generally is of low acute toxicity, and based on the available toxicological data, the Agency believes that the normal use of Picaridin does not present a health concern to the general U.S. population

EPA, New Pesticide Fact Sheet: Picaridin, May 2005
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?

Picaridin

EPA lists products at 5, 5.75, 7, 10 and 20%; CDC says higher concentrations generally protect longer.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book, EPA

No EPA page we read states a picaridin percentage range in prose; EPA's 2005 picaridin fact sheet lists registered formulations at 5 and 7 percent (pump sprays), 10 percent (aerosol) and 5.75 percent (towelette wipes), and EPA's repellent search tool lists 20 percent picaridin lotion, spray and wipe products. CDC's Yellow Book says higher concentrations of active ingredients generally provide longer protection, regardless of the active ingredient.

Registered: 96.8% a.i. Technical; 5% & 7% pump sprays; 10% aerosol spray and 5.75% towelette wipes

EPA, New Pesticide Fact Sheet: Picaridin, May 2005

Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion | 14 | 14 | Picaridin | 20 | Sawyer Products | 39967-50-58188

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray | 12 | 12 | Picaridin | 20 | The PIC20 Group, LLC | 93221-1

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

Natrapel 8 Hour Insect Repellent Wipes | 8 | 8 | Picaridin | 20 | Tender Corp. | 56575-14

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

In general, higher concentrations of active ingredients provide longer duration of protection, regardless of the active ingredient. Products with <10% active ingredient might offer only limited protection, often 1-2 hours. Products that offer sustained-release or controlled-release (microencapsulated) formulations, even with lower active ingredient concentrations, might provide longer protection times. Studies suggest that DEET efficacy tends to peak at a concentration of approximately 50% and that concentrations above that do not offer a marked increase in protection time against mosquitoes.

CDC Yellow Book, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-19)
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?

Picaridin

EPA's tool lists one 20% lotion at 14 hours, a spray at 12, wipes at 8.

Source and detail: EPA, U.S. EPA

EPA's repellent search tool lists 20 percent picaridin products by form. Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion, EPA Reg. No. 39967-50-58188, lists 14 hours for mosquitoes and ticks; Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, lists 12 hours, and Natrapel 8 Hour Insect Repellent Wipes, EPA Reg. No. 56575-14, lists 8. EPA says protection times vary because testing conditions differ, and that the tool's database was last updated in June 2019.

Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion | 14 | 14 | Picaridin | 20 | Sawyer Products | 39967-50-58188

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray | 12 | 12 | Picaridin | 20 | The PIC20 Group, LLC | 93221-1

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

Natrapel 8 Hour Insect Repellent Wipes | 8 | 8 | Picaridin | 20 | Tender Corp. | 56575-14

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

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.

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You

Any products listed are for informational purposes only. Inclusion of a product listed/referenced is not an endorsement. * EPA and the U.S. Government do not endorse any product or service. * The information in this database was last updated in June 2019.

U.S. EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You
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?

Picaridin

A 20% label names mosquitoes, ticks, biting, stable, black and sand flies, gnats, chiggers and Scottish biting midges.

Source and detail: EPA stamped master label

The master label for a 20 percent picaridin spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, claims 12 hour protection from ticks and mosquitoes and up to 8 hours against biting flies, stable flies, black flies, gnats, chiggers, sand flies and Scottish biting midges. The label's bracketed wording on disease is "mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, Dengue [Fever], and Zika [Virus] and ticks carrying Lyme disease and tick borne encephalitis."

[Long-lasting, 12 hour effective protection from ticks and mosquitoes including mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, Dengue [Fever], and Zika [Virus] and ticks carrying Lyme disease and tick borne encephalitis.] [Repels biting flies, stable flies, black flies, gnats, chiggers, sand flies, and Scottish biting midges for up to 8 hours.]

EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018

Picaridin ……………………………………………………………………….……20.00%

EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018
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?

Picaridin

No age limit, CDC says; one label's own wording says children 1 year and older.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book, EPA stamped master label

CDC's Yellow Book says insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and 2-undecanone can be used on children without age restriction. The accepted master label for a 20 percent picaridin spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, carries the optional bracketed line "Suitable for every day use on adults and children 1 year and older," one product's wording rather than an agency statement.

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)

[Suitable for every day use on adults and children 1 year and older]

EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018

Picaridin ……………………………………………………………………….……20.00%

EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018
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?

Picaridin

CDC lists it for pregnant and breastfeeding women; NPIC found no human data on reproductive effects.

Source and detail: CDC, NPIC

CDC's Preventing Mosquito Bites page lists picaridin among the active ingredients it names, and says that when used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are "proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women." NPIC's picaridin technical fact sheet states that no human data were found on the teratogenic or reproductive effects of picaridin.

When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. DEET Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the United States)

CDC, Preventing Mosquito Bites (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-16)

Use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

CDC, Preventing Mosquito Bites (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-16)

No human data were found on the teratogenic or reproductive effects of picaridin.

NPIC, Picaridin Technical Fact Sheet (archived)
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?

Picaridin

NPIC says under 6% absorbs through human skin; EPA calls it low in acute toxicity.

Source and detail: EPA, NPIC

NPIC says 60 percent of picaridin applied to rat skin went through it, while in humans less than 6 percent was absorbed; both excrete almost all in urine within a day. EPA's 2005 fact sheet says technical grade picaridin has low acute oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity, Toxicity Category IV for acute inhalation toxicity and primary dermal irritation, and Category III for acute oral and acute dermal toxicity and primary eye irritation.

When researchers applied picaridin to the skin of rats, 60% of it went through the skin. In humans, less than 6% of the picaridin applied to skin was absorbed. Picaridin may be broken down once it is in the body. Rats and humans excrete almost all of it in their urine within a day of exposure.

NPIC, Picaridin General Fact Sheet

Technical grade Picaridin has low acute oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity. It is classified as Toxicity Category IV for acute inhalation toxicity and primary dermal irritation and Toxicity Category III for acute oral, acute dermal and primary eye irritation.

EPA, New Pesticide Fact Sheet: Picaridin, May 2005
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?

Picaridin

Two labels claim no harm to plastics, fishing line, fabric and gear; no agency statement found.

Source and detail: EPA stamped label, EPA stamped master label

Two accepted 20 percent picaridin labels carry no-damage claims: EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, bracketed, "Won't Damage Fishing Lines, Plastics, or other Synthetic Materials"; EPA Reg. No. 54287-22, "Will [Does] not harm gear and equipment" and "Will [Does] not harm plastics and fabric."

[Won't Damage Fishing Lines, Plastics, or other Synthetic Materials]

EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018

18. Will [Does] not harm gear and equipment

EPA stamped label, Associated Registrations Inc. 20% picaridin repellent, EPA Reg. No. 54287-22, July 17, 2019

19. Will [Does] not harm plastics and fabric

EPA stamped label, Associated Registrations Inc. 20% picaridin repellent, EPA Reg. No. 54287-22, July 17, 2019

Picaridin ……………………………………………………………………….……20.00%

EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018
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?

Picaridin

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

Source and detail: EPA

No agency or label we read covers picaridin use on pets. EPA tells consumers not to use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals.

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?

Picaridin

One trial found 20% picaridin and 20% DEET performed equally, with 97.4% protection over five hours.

Source and detail: Carroll JF, Van Roey K

Van Roey 2014 (PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases) reported an overall five-hour protection rate of 97.4 percent, with picaridin 20 percent performing equally well as DEET 20 percent. Carroll 2010 (Journal of Medical Entomology) found no difference in effectiveness between the 20 percent spray and lotion formulations of picaridin, and concluded that deet, picaridin and IR3535 provided lasting protection against lone star ticks as tested.

Based on a total of 4996 mosquitoes collected on negative control persons, the overall five hour protection rate was 97.4% [95%CI: 97.1-97.8%], not decreasing over time. Picaridin 20% performed equally well as DEET 20% and better than picaridin 10%.

Van Roey K, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014 Dec 18;8(12):e3326. PMID 25522134

There was no difference in effectiveness between the 20% spray and 20% lotion formulations of picaridin. The 10% IR3535 lotion was significantly less effective than the formulations with higher concentrations of repellent. In the formulations tested, deet, picaridin, and IR3535 provided lasting protection against A. americanum.

Carroll JF, et al. J Med Entomol. 2010 Jul;47(4):699-704. PMID 20695288
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.

  1. NPIC, Picaridin General Fact Sheet. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PicaridinGen.html
  2. EPA, New Pesticide Fact Sheet: Picaridin, May 2005. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/registration/fs_PC-070705_01-May-05.pdf
  3. EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s. https://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s/search_results.cfm
  4. 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
  5. EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you
  6. EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/093221-00001-20180109.pdf
  7. CDC, Preventing Mosquito Bites (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-16). https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/prevention/index.html
  8. NPIC, Picaridin Technical Fact Sheet (archived). https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/archive/Picaridintech.html
  9. EPA stamped label, Associated Registrations Inc. 20% picaridin repellent, EPA Reg. No. 54287-22, July 17, 2019. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/054287-00022-20190717.pdf
  10. EPA, Using Insect Repellents Safely and Effectively. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/using-insect-repellents-safely-and-effectively
  11. Van Roey K, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014 Dec 18;8(12):e3326. PMID 25522134. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25522134/
  12. Carroll JF, et al. J Med Entomol. 2010 Jul;47(4):699-704. PMID 20695288. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20695288/
  13. NPIC, Permethrin General Fact Sheet. https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PermGen.html
  14. EPA, Repellent-Treated Clothing. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/repellent-treated-clothing
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. NPIC, Permethrin Technical Fact Sheet (archived). https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/archive/Permtech.html
  18. 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/