Clothing that repels ticks
August 7, 2018
What is one of the best ways to prevent tick-borne diseases? A recent study by the CDC demonstrated that clothing treated with permethrin - a synthetic compound derived from the chrysanthemum flower - has toxic effects on 3 different kinds of ticks - the lone star, the blacklegged deer tick, and the American dog tick. The effect interferes with tick's nervous system - making it hard to move and also less likely to bite. Permethrin should not be applied to human skin but can be safely applied to clothes. Depending on how it's applied, it is estimated to stay infused in the clothes from 6 to 20 washes. Read more here.