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Comment by acheron | Hacker News Reader

It says to use DEET? No. Use permethrin (on clothes) and picaridin (on self).

Yes to permethrin, but beware it’s very dangerous for cats. Don’t spray your clothes anywhere near them. Maybe keep any clothes you treat with it in a room they can’t reach, or sealed in a container—I think once it dries it’s less-dangerous but I still wouldn’t want one to decide to curl up on a pile of them.

https://canadianrockiestrailguide.com/ticks-permethrin-and-c...

I first heard about people using permethrin 5 years ago, but haven't looked into it too fully. Then I see this! There's likely some reason for it, Health Canada is known not to bow easily to corporate pressures, but I'm curious as to why.

Yeah I spray the clothes in the garage and let them fully dry out there. Everything I’ve read says once it’s dry there’s no issue, it’s only the liquid that’s dangerous for them.

I have been using permethrin on my clothes and DEET on my skin for the past 5 years when hiking in the New York state. Thankfully I have had no interactions with ticks or even seen any on my short trails despite the presence of wildlife.

Why not use DEET?

Anecdotally it’s useless. I’ve seen them walk right over DEET sprayed boots. They freeze up pretty much on contact with permethrin.

Picaridin and DEET are roughly equal in effectiveness, but picaridin is safer for pets, and doesn't have a nasty habit of destroying synthetic fabrics.

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