Insect Shield technology converts clothing and gear into long-lasting, effective and convenient insect protection. The active ingredient in Insect Shield, permethrin, is so tightly bonded to the fabric fibers that it retains effective repellency through the expected life of the product.
Permethrin is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring repellent found in certain types of chrysanthemum plants such as the African Daisy. The insecticide properties of chrysanthemums have been known for decades. Permethrin affects the nervous system in insects when they come in contact. Permethrin is effective against a number of pesky and potentially dangerous insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies chiggers and midges (no-see-ums) including those that can carry dangerous diseases such as malaria, dengue fever or Lyme.
The Insect Shield application process is environmentally safe, unlike fabric treatments that require waste water management. Insect Shield’s proprietary system is designed to prevent loss of any active ingredients outside of the system. Once completed the active ingredient is bonded and no re-application is needed which can also alleviate concerns about overuse and misuse of repellent.
✓ Requires no re-application
✓ No potential for over-use
✓ Cannot be swallowed
✓ Not harmful to eyes
✓ Can be used by women who are pregnant or nursing
✓ Can be used by infants and children of any age
Following many years of extensive product testing, Insect Shield for apparel and gear was successfully registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2003.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues a consumer labeling category rating for each product registered. Insect Shield has been rated a category IV by the EPA, which is the most favorable rating issued.
The overall category is determined by the most severe route of exposure (i.e., oral, dermal, ocular, inhalation).
A Category IV Rating Means:
The technology has been analyzed and deemed to pose no risk on any level (oral, dermal, ocular and inhalation).
• Not harmful to eyes
• Cannot be swallowed
• Requires no reapplication
• No potential for over-use
• No restrictions for use
• Can be used by infants, children of any age and pregnant or nursing women
Note: Similar sounding products with different EPA registration numbers may not be comparable in toxicity to those shown above.
Repellents and Insecticides for use on clothing, hats, shoes, bed nets, jackets, and camping gear can be treated with permethrin for added protection. Products such as Permanone and Sawyer permethrin are registered with EPA specifically for use by consumers to treat clothing and gear. Alternatively, clothing pretreated with permethrin is commercially available, and marketed to consumers in the United States such as Insect Shield.
Permethrin is a highly effective insecticide-acaricide and repellent. Permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes, and other biting and nuisance arthropods. Clothing and other items must be treated 24–48 hours in advance of travel to allow them to dry. As with all pesticides, follow the label instructions when using permethrin clothing treatments.
Permethrin-treated materials retain repellency or insecticidal activity after repeated laundering but should be retreated, as described on the product label, to provide continued protection. Clothing that is treated before purchase is labeled for efficacy through 70 launderings. Clothing treated with the other repellent products described above (such as DEET) provides protection from biting arthropods but will not last through washing and will require more frequent re-applications.
