[erghjunk]

It's worth taking the time to learn to ID the lone star tick if you haven't already as it is thought to be the main carrier, per the CDC page linked from the original article [0]. I use permethrin pretty religiously these days, especially since lyme disease is now ubiquitous in my region, and I've been impressed with the results. Where previously a half-day in the woods might result in as much as a dozen ticks on my clothing and person, I basically never find them now. hoping that permethrin use doesn't some day come back to, pardon the pun, bite me (or anyone else), but it'll have to do for now.

[0] https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/alpha-gal/index.html

[voakbasda]

Are you using permethrin as a bug spray on your clothing? I use it here on livestock and had not considered using it on myself, but I am intrigued given how effective it is for the animals. Gunna go read the label again, but I would wager that using it this way will be an off-label use.

[erghjunk]

Just seeing this now - as other posters have stated, I use the low concentration clothing treatment, the Sawyer brand specifically. It works very well and even seems to last for the time period advertised on the label (6 weeks I think).

[BugsJustFindMe]

Permethrin is not uncommon as a fabric treatment. You soak (and then dry) your clothes in it and it provides lasting protection through a few dozen washes.

[qkucy]

Do you mean picaridin?

[georgeplusplus]

When you say half day in the woods do you mean you are going through hiking trails?

I was taught ticks usually are in long grass. No idea where they usually are since I've only seen it once and I was walking through a field with ankle high grass.

[erghjunk]

No, off trail - hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting, flipping rocks, playing around etc. Ticks are everywhere that animals are in my experience, however, and a hiking trail is no exception. Tall grass does seem worse but I’ve had many days in big woods where I ended up with ticks.