Insect Repellent Clothing

Insect Repellent Clothes are specially designed to protect you from mosquito bites and insects. They have a special anti-mosquito net that is produced by the technology of microfibers. Such clothes make the person who wears them invisible for bugs, as if he did not exist at all.

Insect Repellent Clothing

Insect-repellent clothing is treated with permethrin, an insecticide that has been registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for more than 40 years and is the only repellent used to treat factory clothing. You’ll often find these clothes labeled as having “No Fly Zone” or “Insect Shield” fabrics.

Kevin Chan, in-house entomologist for national pest control leader Mosquito Squad, told Shop TODAY that Permethrin-treated clothing acts as a contact irritant and is commonly used for camping gear and even military uniforms to help keep bugs away.

Though it can be an investment, the use of permethrin-treated clothing has proven to be very effective in protecting against bugs.

“It repels all flying insects in addition to ticks, and this method of protection is endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” said David Brown, technical advisor of the American Mosquito Control Association.

How effective is insect-repellent clothing?

Immo Hansen, principal researcher of The Hansen Lab at New Mexico State University (which performs research in the molecular biology of mosquitoes), put insect-repellent clothing to the test in a study on permethrin-treated clothing — and the results were impressive.

“We tested Insect Shield fabrics and found them highly effective in preventing the covered area from being bitten by mosquitoes,” Hansen told Shop TODAY.

When applied properly, permethrin binds to the fabric of the treated clothing items, so it can last for plenty of washes without faltering in efficacy, according to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC). The tight binding also means that the insecticide will not be absorbed by the skin, but the EPA recommends washing permethrin-treated clothing separately from non-treated clothing.

Will you still need bug spray?

While bug repellent clothing is an effective shield against insects, experts suggest coupling permethrin-treated clothing with the use of an insect repellent for even better protection.

“It is important to also use an EPA-registered repellent since the permethrin-treated clothing does not protect exposed skin,” Chan said.

When looking for a good bug spray, there are a few key ingredients to keep in mind.

“A very effective and very safe active ingredient in spray-on repellents is also one of the oldest ones — DEET,” Hansen said. “Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) is a very effective ‘natural active ingredient.'”

If you’re looking to upgrade your summer wardrobe with some insect-repellent clothing, we found several top-rated options that can help keep bugs away.

Insect Repellent Clothing

The secret to insect shield is the use of permethrin, a synthetic version of a naturally occurring chemical called pyrethrum, which is found in chrysanthemum flowers. Chrysanthemums are known as a good natural deterrent to pesky insects. Permethrin is a “knockdown” insecticide, meaning it disables the insect when they come in contact with it. So it doesn’t so much repel the insects as knock them out or kill them.

How insect shield actually works is a bit of a mystery — or more like a trade secret. But we do know that permethrin is actually woven into the fibers of the clothing fabric. Since a mosquito is able to insert it’s proboscis through most clothing, then warding them off your t-shirt is a good idea. It’s odorless and isn’t readily absorbed into the skin, so it’s safe for adults and children. Do you need to walk around smelling bad because you’re afraid to wash your $50 Buzz Off pullover? Not at all — the new line of insect shield clothing can stand up to 70 washings and maintain effectiveness.

List Of Insect Repellent Clothing