06/29/2025

What Experts Use to Repel Ticks and Mosquitoes

Insect experts reach for one thing: permethrin

If you want to protect yourself from mosquitoes and ticks—which seem to be everywhere this year—you might need to enlist a heavy-hitter. Insect experts reach for one thing: permethrin.

Here’s what to know about the synthetic insecticide, plus how and when to use it.

How permethrin works

Permethrin, derived from the chrysanthemum flower, has been used in some form since around 400 B.C. During the wars of the early 1800s, Napoleon dusted his soldiers with a permethrin-like powder to control fleas and body lice, which protected them from anemia and gave them a physical edge over their enemies. Permethrin is odorless and colorless, and insects cannot detect its presence.

Please select this link to read the complete article from TIME.