Budget Permethrin

[RPATCH]

I make it a practice to treat my clothes and tent at the beginning of the season with Permethrin. It is effective against ticks and helps with other biting insects. The small bottles of Sawyer Permethrin are quite expensive and the sprayer that comes with it is rather low volume. I started mixing my own and using a garden sprayer a couple of years ago and the results are much cheaper and better.

Do it yourself budget .5% permethrin solution tick and mosquito-proofing for clothes
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After mixing, you will want to end up with a .5% permethrin solution for soaking or spraying your clothes. NOTE: that is "point five percent" (one half of one percent) NOT "five percent". Also, don't be surprised by the solvent smell, it will go away when it dries. Spray outside and hang to dry.
Recipe to make 1 gallon of .5% solution using 38% permethrin starting concentrate:
1 gallon = 4 quarts = 128 ounces.
1 gallon water + 1.71 ounces 38% permethrin = 129.71 ounces of .5% concentration. 16 oz of 38% permethrin will make 9.35 gallons .5% solution.
COST: $27.98 for 16 oz. of 38% permethrin at Amazon to make 9.35 gallons = $2.99 to create an entire gallon of spray mix.
Sawyer brand permethrin at $17.50 for 24 oz of .5% cincentration works out to $93.33 per gallon.
Hi-Yield 38 Plus Permethrin Turf Termite and Ornamental Insect Control, 16 Oz. Bottle.
https://a.co/d/1WWkmu3

 

[Chip]

What a great hack! In the fifteen years I’ve been buying Sawyer permethrin, I don’t think I’ve used a gallon, but I probably spent near $100 on it. Thanks for posting this. I had no idea of the concentration, or that bulk permethrin was available.

 

[yknpdlr]

At Tractor Supply, you can buy an 8 oz bottle of permethrin for $12.99. Was just $9.99 a couple of years ago when I last checked. it is a 10% concentration solution. Compare with how much a 0.5% can of Sawyer costs and how long it lasts. Just mix the Gordons wiith water at a ratio of 19:1 for the same concentration and spray on your clothing. 8 ounces of concentrate will last a very long time.

 

[dramey]

There are no Tractor Supply in Alaska.

 

[Gamma1214]

I think my Tractor Supply is already responding to the demand caused by this thread and the natural tendency for CTN readers to part with cash. I was in last night for some bolts and checked the livestock sprays... Same bottle ykn shows above is $26.99 (USD)

Still budget-friendly compared to pre-mix, but I wish their marketing people wouldn't read this forum.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

I've used Gordon's for years and it works well.
I've also bought bulk from Do Your Own Pest Control which is another good source.

 

[yknpdlr]

I think my Tractor Supply is already responding to the demand caused by this thread and the natural tendency for CTN readers to part with cash. I was in last night for some bolts and checked the livestock sprays... Same bottle ykn shows above is $26.99 (USD)

Gordon's comes in several sizes. You only need the 8 oz bottle that will last a very long time with dilution. personally I do not dilute it as wead a 0.5%.

There are no Tractor Supply in Alaska.

There must be some kind of domestic animal farm supply outlet in Alaska. I know for a fact that you have plenty of bugs that you may want to conttrol. Permethrin tends to be placed in the horse medication aisle in TSC.