What to spray on a person for ticks? - briefly
Apply a permethrin‑treated spray (0.5 % concentration) to clothing and shoes to kill and repel ticks. For exposed skin, use a repellent containing at least 20 % DEET, picaridin, or IR3535, and reapply according to the product instructions.
What to spray on a person for ticks? - in detail
Effective topical agents for preventing tick attachment on humans include synthetic chemical repellents, natural extracts, and insecticidal treatments applied to clothing.
Synthetic repellents with proven efficacy contain DEET (N,N‑diethyl‑meta‑toluamide) at concentrations of 20 %–30 %. This range provides protection for up to six hours on exposed skin. Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023) at 20 % offers comparable duration with a lower incidence of skin irritation. Permethrin, a pyrethroid insecticide, is applied to clothing rather than directly to skin; a 0.5 % solution remains effective after multiple washes and kills ticks on contact.
Natural compounds with documented repellent activity include oil of lemon eucalyptus (containing p‑menthane‑3,8‑diol) at 30 % concentration, providing protection for approximately two to three hours. Citronella, geraniol, and catnip oil demonstrate limited efficacy and require frequent reapplication; they are unsuitable for high‑risk environments.
Application guidelines:
- Apply DEET or picaridin to all exposed areas, avoiding eyes and mucous membranes.
- Treat shirts, socks, and trousers with permethrin by spraying evenly and allowing the fabric to dry completely before wear.
- Reapply DEET or picaridin after swimming, sweating, or after 6 hours of exposure.
- Do not apply permethrin directly to skin; it may cause irritation.
Safety considerations:
- Children under two years should not receive DEET concentrations above 10 %.
- Pregnant or nursing individuals may use picaridin or low‑concentration DEET (≤30 %).
- Permethrin is safe for clothing but may cause allergic reactions in a minority of users; wash treated garments before first use.
Effectiveness comparison (average protection time):
- DEET 30 %: 6 hours
- Picaridin 20 %: 5 hours
- Permethrin on fabric: 7 days of repeated exposure (after each wash)
- Lemon eucalyptus 30 %: 3 hours
Selection should match exposure level, duration of activity, and personal health profile. Use a combination of skin‑borne repellent (DEET or picaridin) and treated clothing (permethrin) for optimal protection against tick bites.