How effective is Permethrin-treated clothing in preventing tick bites?

Now, a new study by Connally and colleagues examines the effectiveness of treated clothing after it is worn and washed/dried. [2] Does this impact the contact irritancy and toxicity against Ixodes scapularis nymphs?

The investigators forced blacklegged ticks to be in contact with Permethrin-treated clothing for 30 to 120 seconds. They then monitored the ticks’ behavior on untreated and treated clothes.

They found the best outcome occurred before Permethrin-treated clothes were washed.

“Pristine Permethrin-treated clothing displayed strong contact irritancy and toxicity toward I. scapularis nymphs,” writes Connally.

One hour after the ticks had been in contact with the treated textiles for 30-120 seconds, 0-30% of the ticks (across clothing types and tick sources) exhibited normal movement.

But after 16 days of wear and 16 rounds of machine washing and drying, the concentration of Permethrin dropped by 50 – 90%.

[bctt tweet=”Is washed Permethrin-treated clothing effective in repelling ticks? Study takes a look. ” username=”DrDanielCameron”]

“This loss of Permethrin was associated with reduced contact irritancy and toxicity for ticks after forced contact with worn and washed/dried treated clothing,” writes Connally. And after 1 hour of contact, 31 to 67% of ticks displayed normal movement.

Still, the worn and washed/dried Permethrin-treated clothing showed better protection than untreated garments, for which 90–100% of ticks displayed normal movement.

What about Permethrin-treated socks and shoes?

Treated socks had a “less pronounced impact” on the ticks.

This may be due to the looser weave of the fiber which allows ticks to move across it with less of their body surface coming in contact with the treated textile, the authors speculate. Or the fibers may not retain as much Permethrin as the other textiles.

Treated shoes, which were worn but not washed, remained toxic to the ticks.

The study has important limitations: Ticks may reach their destination in less than 30 seconds, and ticks that climb on skin directly will not be affected.

Lastly, the study did not address the potential risks some parents raise in exposing their child to the insecticide Permethrin.

Related Articles:

Permethrin-treated clothing causes “hot foot” effect in ticks

How to kill a tick on your clothes

References:

1. Robert Prose, Nicole E Breuner, Tammi L Johnson, Rebecca J Eisen, Lars Eisen; Contact Irritancy and Toxicity of Permethrin-Treated Clothing for Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum, and Dermacentor variabilis Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), Journal of Medical Entomology, Volume 55, Issue 5, 29 August 2018.
2. Connally NP, Rose DA, Breuner NE, et al. Impact of Wearing and Washing/Drying of Permethrin-Treated Clothing on Their Contact Irritancy and Toxicity for Nymphal Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) Ticks. J Med Entomol. 2018.