Because permethrin kills bugs. As mentioned in several previous blog posts on lice, ticks, bed bugs, etc. (links below), permethrin is the go-to insecticide in a bad situation. Discovered in 1973, permethrin is also on the WHO List of Essential Medicines.
PERMETHRIN AS A MEDICINE
Permethrin is available in a few forms, both over-the-counter and by prescription only.
- Nix is 1% permethrin lotion for killing lice. It kills both the lice and their eggs. It is sometimes suggested for killing scabies, but is likely not strong enough to eradicate them completely.
- RID shampoo kills lice but not their eggs, so the treatment needs to be repeated a week later.
- Elimite, a 5% permethrin cream, is available by prescription only and is used for treating scabies. It is applied from head to toe, including the hairline, under finger- and toenails, and between toes and fingers. In babies, it is also applied to the scalp, but this is usually not necessary in adults. The cream is left on for 8-14 hours and then washed off in the shower. One treatment is usually effective.
PERMETHRIN AS AN INSECTICIDE
Permethrin is an extremely effective insecticide. It kills and repels mosquitoes, ticks, lice, scabies, fleas, and livestock parasites. Due to resistance, it is becoming less efficacious in killing bed bugs. Unfortunately, permethrin also kills bees, so it should not be used on gardens, though it is often used in commercial agriculture.
When sprayed on clothing, permethrin will kill and repel ticks and mosquitoes for six weeks or six washes.
Permethrin may also be sprayed on dogs to repel fleas and ticks. If possible, their fur should be fluffed up before spraying, and permethrin should be sprayed all over, avoiding the genitals and eyes. Permethrin is toxic to cats.
Purchase options, in addition to the medical use options above, include the following:
- 0.5% Sawyer Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent; each bottle treats clothing and gear and dogs.
- 10% permethrin from Martin's Multi-Purpose Insecticide.
- 13.3% permethrin from Martin's Multi-Purpose Insecticide.
- 36.8% permethrin from Control Solutions Inc. Each bottle contains directions for mixing your own solutions. One teaspoon plus water to make 12.5 ounces of a 0.5% solution; 1 tablespoon plus water to make 37.5 ounces of a 0.5% solution (like the Sawyer brand, used for clothing, tents, dogs).
I like to keep things natural--natural medicine, home grown produce,
cooking from scratch. Diatomaceous earth and ladybugs for killing
garden pests. The yard surrounding my house is full of catnip and rosemary for repelling mosquitoes. I also prefer to use products that are sustainable and renewable. But I also want to be prepared for something truly horrific when it comes to ticks, lice, and mosquitoes. If there is some kind of outbreak that poses a threat to my family, I need to be able to deal with it effectively. If we find ourselves in tick country, we don't want to compound our difficulties with tick-borne illness. If yellow fever invades with the mosquitoes, I want my homemade repellents to have a back-up. It's kind of like a pocket knife and a fixed blade knife. The vast majority of the time, a pocket knife will serve well for whatever you need to do. But there are those rare occasions when you really want a fixed blade, whether it's just for reassurance or for actual use. Permethrin is that fixed blade.
Permethrin appears to be safe for use in pregnancy and for babies over the age of two months; however, breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment.
Cautions: Permethrin may cause an allergic reaction in individuals sensitive to ragweeds. Side effects include a rash or irritation at the area of use.
Links to related posts:
Family Medical Kit
Coconut Oil (combine with permethrin for killing lice)
Scabies
Lice
Ticks
Tularemia
Bed bugs
For further reading:
Permethrin Prescription Literature
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/anda/98/074806ap.pdf
https://www.drugs.com/pro/permethrin.html
https://sawyer.com/products/permethrin-insect-repellent-treatment/
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698037.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permethrin
https://sectionhiker.com/permethrin-soak-method-guide/
© 2019, PrepSchoolDaily.blogspot.com
13 april 2021
