How it Works
Similar to most repellents, Sawyer Products Permethrin is applied by spraying it on any item you’re trying to protect, such as your clothes or tent. From there, permethrin will let the insect absorb it and the insect will either fly away or die.
However, do not quickly spray said item and move on to the next item. Permethrin demands slow, methodical spraying to maximize effective, and to Sawyer Products, this means spraying the item all over slowly, taking great care to spray every spot of the item. All this should be done over the span of 30 seconds; then you can move on.
This means that, unlike the Picaridin Repellent, this repellent is only available in a spray form, and the sizes start at a relatively big 6oz, most likely due to a bunch of clothing and gear requiring more than your skin does.
Once applied, permethrin not only repels bugs but kills them as well. While death is not guaranteed, permethrin holds the ability to kill certain bugs depending on how long they’ve made contact with the surface.
Side note: you can even spray it on your dog! Yes, your dog can go for a walk without worrying about bugs getting all up on him/her.
Pricing/Sizes
Unlike picaridin, permethrin only comes in a spray form, but don’t worry, there’s still plenty of sizing options on Amazon:
- 6oz spray: Not available
- 9oz pump spray: $5.92/bottle
- 12oz pump spray: $13/bottle
- 18oz aerosol spray: $10.97/bottle
- 24oz pump spray: $14.99/bottle
As you can see, the Permethrin Repellent is extremely cheap for what it offers, though pricing is inconsistent, though, the Picaridin Repellent is the same way—worse even. While the inconsistent pricing carries over from permethrin’s picaridin relative, it’s much more consistent and cheaper. Overall, still not perfect, but much better.
Does it Work?
Now to the meat of this review; the content you’ve been waiting for. The question: does it work? I’m happy to report that the Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Repellent does in fact work, and extremely well at that.
Similar to the picaridin variant, the Permethrin Repellent hits nothing but net on Amazon and other online retailers, with glowing review after glowing review popping up. I even expected some negative reviews because some people bought this repellent without knowing what it’s used for, but nope. Everyone is content with it.
However, with it’s easy, if not long, application and high rate of effectiveness, it’s no wonder why people love it so much. Sawyer Products know what they’re doing, and it shows through their two repellents.
Scores
Now comes time to hand out a grade and find out where Sawyer Products’ Permethrin Repellent stands compared to other repellents. It will be graded on 4 key areas, these areas being:
- Efficiency/Effectiveness (40%)
- Ease of Use (25%)
- Safety (35%).
Each will be rated 1-10, with an overall grade for the product after each area has been given a score.
Efficiency/Effectiveness = 10/10
The effectiveness of this product stands high above many other repellents–even it’s picaridin brother. Lasting 6 weeks, this permethrin repellent is the optimal choice for any outdoorsman, and I’d go as far as to say the optimal choice for any homeowner looking to “debug” the outside areas of their house.
Ease of Use = 8.5/10
The process to apply permethrin to clothing or gear isn’t difficult, per se, but spraying everything down for 30 seconds each will become repetitive. It’s a small price to pay for the long-lasting repellent, but a price to pay nonetheless.
Safety = 9/10
Sawyer Products’ Permethrin Repellent probably won’t hurt you, but they recommend only spraying it outside to avoid leaving aerosol in the air and posing a risk to people with asthma or other breathing disorders.
However, the spray is 100% safe, even if it makes contact with your skin and your dog if need be.