Pressurized Sprays of Permethrin and deet on Clothing for Personal Protection Against the Lone Star Tick and the American Dog Tick (Acari: Ixodidae)1

Abstract

Pressurized sprays of 0.5% permethrin and 20% deet applied to clothing were compared for personal protection against natural populations of lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum (L.), and American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), in Oklahoma and Kentucky during May and June 1982. A 1-min application of permethrin to the exterior surface of pants and shirt (or blouse) provided 100% protection against the attack of both species of ticks. Comparable applications of deet provided 85% protection against adults and nymphs of the lone star tick and 94% protection against adults of the American dog tick.