By Chad Love

Spring is here, which means bloodsuckers and biters aren't far behind. But a new study conducted by the University of North Carolina suggests that pre-treated insect-repelling clothing is more effective at keeping bugs at bay than traditional bug sprays.

From this story (hat tip to T. Edward Nickens for the find) on Fibre2Fashion.com: 
A pilot study conducted by researchers at The University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health shows that a group of state water quality employees who wore clothing treated with a long-lasting insect repellent were bitten by ticks substantially less often than were their colleagues who used insect spray repellents and other preventive measures. The study, released March 11, in the peer-reviewed journal, Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, reported that the incidence of tick attachments was reduced by 93 percent among workers wearing Insect Shield Repellent Apparel, compared to workers in similar environments who used spray repellents or other tick bite prevention methods.

Dr. Steve MeshnickTick-borne diseases are a significant concern for the millions of people who often work in tick-infested habitats. If not treated early, these diseases can lead to severe illness or even death, said Steve Meshnick, MD, PhD, UNC epidemiology professor and lead author of the study. Over the past two decades, the incidence of diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever has been increasing. The apparel products also have been shown to repel mosquitoes, ants, flies, chiggers and midges (no-see-ums) through 70 launderings.

"The technology holds the promise of a safe, simple, and effective way to protect people from ticks and other insects," Meshnick said. "If further studies show similar results, the apparel could be used by people who are often outdoors for work or recreation or both. I can envision many uses around the world, including in developing countries to prevent malaria spread by mosquitoes."

So do you think treated clothing is the wave of the future, or will there always be a bottle of bug dope in your tackle box, backpack or truck?

Comments (7)

from Redneck Rockstar wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

Can't say that I'm going for this just yet. As a 13 year military veteran I've been to some nasty places that constitute the wear of these pre-treated garments. Unfortunately given the rigorous use and the abuse we commonly put our uniforms through the treatment doesn't last anywhere near 70 washes. The study used water quality employees as their test subjects and quite honestly I don't beleive their duties would put this type of clothing through the same torture that say a hunter or a fisher would, much less a military person. Don't give that bottle of Skin so Soft back to your wife just yet, always have a can of Deet based insect repellant at the ready, and always remember to tuck your pants into your boots!

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from jakenbake wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

While I'll always have a can of DEET at the ready, if I can get my hands on some of these clothes at a reasonable price I'll give 'em a try.

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from Happy Myles wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

My last seven or eight trips into bad insect areas I have used the Permethrin treatment for my clothes, and I believe it has helped. Areas hunted include the jungles and forests of Cameroon And the C.A.R., plus big time Tsetse fly country. Still keep plenty of DEET handy.

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from ALJoe wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

I have learned to basic rules over the past years.
1)Tuck everything in. 2)Spray your backside. We all spray our hands, face, boots, etc. but most of us forget to spray our backside. So everytime we set up on a turkey we leave ourselves exposed to these nasty little blood suckers. Had a god hunting friend who caught Lyme Disease. Man it is an awful and dibilitating sickness.

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from JGooding1 wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

Most of my bites are on non-clothed areas so I'll still have to spray my skin down but I do like the idea of using insect repelling clothing.

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from GiantWhitetails wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

Sawyer brand seems to work, i think it's permethrin. Do those thermacell devices work?

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from jameshammond wrote 1 year 38 weeks ago

I can see that the clothing will not last the 70 recommened washing, then what happens we just have some normal clothes, i think i'll just stick to uysing spray on my firetrap clothing to keep the bugs away. Posher people might buy this stuff as a fad but i don't see it lasting that long

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from Happy Myles wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

My last seven or eight trips into bad insect areas I have used the Permethrin treatment for my clothes, and I believe it has helped. Areas hunted include the jungles and forests of Cameroon And the C.A.R., plus big time Tsetse fly country. Still keep plenty of DEET handy.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from JGooding1 wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

Most of my bites are on non-clothed areas so I'll still have to spray my skin down but I do like the idea of using insect repelling clothing.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from jameshammond wrote 1 year 38 weeks ago

I can see that the clothing will not last the 70 recommened washing, then what happens we just have some normal clothes, i think i'll just stick to uysing spray on my firetrap clothing to keep the bugs away. Posher people might buy this stuff as a fad but i don't see it lasting that long

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Redneck Rockstar wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

Can't say that I'm going for this just yet. As a 13 year military veteran I've been to some nasty places that constitute the wear of these pre-treated garments. Unfortunately given the rigorous use and the abuse we commonly put our uniforms through the treatment doesn't last anywhere near 70 washes. The study used water quality employees as their test subjects and quite honestly I don't beleive their duties would put this type of clothing through the same torture that say a hunter or a fisher would, much less a military person. Don't give that bottle of Skin so Soft back to your wife just yet, always have a can of Deet based insect repellant at the ready, and always remember to tuck your pants into your boots!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from jakenbake wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

While I'll always have a can of DEET at the ready, if I can get my hands on some of these clothes at a reasonable price I'll give 'em a try.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from ALJoe wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

I have learned to basic rules over the past years.
1)Tuck everything in. 2)Spray your backside. We all spray our hands, face, boots, etc. but most of us forget to spray our backside. So everytime we set up on a turkey we leave ourselves exposed to these nasty little blood suckers. Had a god hunting friend who caught Lyme Disease. Man it is an awful and dibilitating sickness.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from GiantWhitetails wrote 2 years 10 weeks ago

Sawyer brand seems to work, i think it's permethrin. Do those thermacell devices work?

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.