#camping #gear #hunting #fishing #math #diy

Permethrin is a highly effective insecticide that can be applied to clothing and Gear to kill ticks and other disease bearing pests you find in the woods.

• Most formulations for livestock contain petroleum products, which stink like gasoline and aren’t suitable for human use
• Sunlight & oxygen degrade the effectiveness - store treated gear in black plastic bags

Method

Permethrin is relatively safe, but wear PPE and don’t handle the wet solution directly. Spray items outdoors in a well ventilated area. Beware that it is toxic to cats.

Soak

Lasts a season, or at least a dozen washes.

For soaking small items, an efficient way to do it is in large ziploc bags. For a large amount of clothing or gear like tents, use a 5 gallon bucket.

Spray

Lasts about 6-8 weeks and 4-6 washes

For spraying gear, you want to attempt to soak it heavily. For outerwear, spray both the inside and outside.

Dilution

TLDR: For a 26oz spray bottle, add 1.3oz of 10% permethrin

Permethrin can be bought in 10% concentrate. For safe application to clothing, it needs to be diluted to 0.5%

Math

$$

C_1 V_1 = C_2 V_2

$$

Where:

• $C_1$ = initial concentration (10%)
• $V_1$ = volume of initial solution to use (unknown)
• $C_2$ = final concentration (0.5%)
• $V_2$ = final total volume (26 oz)

Plug in the values: $$

10% \times V_1 = 0.5% \times 26,\text{oz}

$$

$$ V_1 = \frac{0.5 \times 26}{10} $$

$$

V_1 = \frac{13}{10} = 1.3,\text{oz}

$$