I know there have been extensive posts on here about tick protection and using permethrin. When Sitka clothing recently started offering some of their line with Insect Shield Technology I was intrigued and did a little research. To my surprise I found Insect Shield has a website (insectshield.com) that in addition to treating clothing also offers for sale their own line of treated products. The prices seem very reasonable and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with their products?
Thanks.
Didn't see any camo products. In Florida when it's HOT (which is most of the time) we try to wear as little ans light as possible. Layering would be a ticket for over heating except when it's cool. Then the bugs are more dormant.
I'll stick with permethrin and my thermacell.
I agree with Bob...and wear what you want. :campfire:
If you look on the Insect Shield website, they say that their technology is essentially a long lasting permethrin treatment. I have used Insect Shield clothing and it works as well as permethrin treated clothing I've treated myself. Game Hide has a line of Insect Shield treated camo they call something like "Elimitick". If you search Amazon for Insect Shield Camoflauge you will find a lot of options.
That being said, I also use a Thermacell when the buzzing gets serious.
Bob, agreed, they don't offer camo.
What most intrigues me about the Insect Shield technology is that it lasts for 70 washings. For me that would do away with buying multiple bottles of Permethrin each year and treating my own clothing 2 or 3 times each season. They offer a service where you can send your own clothing in and have it treated with the Insect Shield technology and it's good for 70 washings. To be more specific with my original post...has anyone used this service for their own outdoor clothing?
What I was considering their line of clothing for was scouting, food plot work, stand set up, camera checks, etc. If I could find a confirmation on its quality I'd be willing to order some and give it a try.
The last thing that caught my eye were their pet products. A couple of them would be just the ticket for a canine friend who accompanies you afield.
Thanks for the discussion thus far. Still hoping someone can chime in with firsthand knowledge...
They would be great for fishing where skeeters tend to hang out especially early and late.
That said with 70 washing they would be an excellent deal.
Hi Kevin,
I was out in the blind Saturday morning and while it was SNOWING, I got bit by a mosquito. Only in South Dakota, eh?? Intersted in what you learn about this clothing for sure.
Justin
Quote from: Justin Falon on April 29, 2019, 03:44:20 PM
Hi Kevin,
I was out in the blind Saturday morning and while it was SNOWING, I got bit by a mosquito. Only in South Dakota, eh?? Intersted in what you learn about this clothing for sure.
Justin
Good to hear from you again, Justin. I will update for sure.
Here is the reply I received from Insect Shield's customer service with answers to a few of my questions:
First, we do have a 30 day return/exchange policy that starts when you receive your order. We include a return authorization form with each shipment that can be used to send back returns. Also, our pants are more of a loose fit as they are intended for outdoor usage or for working in.
(This next part of the reply was in response to sending my current hunting clothing in to be treated by them):The main items that will see shrinkage are brand new cotton items, so your polyester hunting clothing should do fine. Once we receive the order, it will take 2-3 business days to complete the treatment before they are ready to ship back.
Best regards,
insect shield ®
814 west market street
greensboro, north carolina 27401
ph 336.272.4157 fax 336.275.7604
www.insectshield.com
I have used insect shield technical shirts, socks, hats, pants for several years while cruising timber. Love their treated clothing. Its not 100 percent effective bit darn close. Several other clothing companies use their treatment-elimitick is one of them.
I don't think this idea is entirely bad, but the treatment is going to wear off and you will have to reapply it to maintain effectiveness anyway. So, applying permethrin myself would be easier and more cost effective.
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Appreciate all the differing thoughts...thanks.
Ever try "Rynoskin" sold at Basspro and amazon?
I purchased several military surplus garments with some type of insect shield in them this past summer. BDUs were running $15-$25 per garment. No idea how many washes the clothing had been through but I hunted southeast NC in October and when I put the shirt on there was a noticeable drop off in skitter attacks.
By the way, I love the multi-cam pattern. Best deal running on tough outdoor clothing. Far superior to what you buy today for two to three times the cost.
Quote from: bcwilly2003 on May 05, 2019, 08:49:10 AM
Ever try "Rynoskin" sold at Basspro and amazon?
I have not.
Quick follow-up...
I sent in 10 pieces of clothing for treatment. I had them back 11 days later. Very satisfied with the turnaround time. I'm assuming the clothing will work every bit as good as my self-treated clothing has worked in years past. What I am looking to gain by the professional application of permethrin is 1) longevity and 2) better adherence of the permethrin to my more technical/synthetic clothing.
Time will tell.
Would you mind mentioning what it cost to treat the 10 articles of clothing?
I'm considering treating some of my camo as it might help me solve some of my insect anger management issues in the deep, dark Michigan forests. I hunt whitetails on the ground and while I'm not 100% certain, all the rapid full-swing swatting, maniacal swearing, screaming and spitting, and Olympic long distance sprinting from swarms of skeeters seems to be negatively affecting my hunting success.
I wonder if my leafy ghillie suit can be treated? Maybe my thermacell could be treated too.
Quote from: Kevin Hansen on May 15, 2019, 03:13:21 PM
Quick follow-up...
I sent in 10 pieces of clothing for treatment. I had them back 11 days later. Very satisfied with the turnaround time. I'm assuming the clothing will work every bit as good as my self-treated clothing has worked in years past. What I am looking to gain by the professional application of permethrin is 1) longevity and 2) better adherence of the permethrin to my more technical/synthetic clothing.
Time will tell.
Thanks for the update. Keep us in the loop about how well it works. I assume it will be effective, I just wonder about longevity.
Btw, is there any odor at all to your clothes now?
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Zero odor.
I agree. Longevity will be the deciding factor as to whether or not it is worthwhile.
For 10 pieces of clothing it cost me $8.33 per piece.
It is very simple and cost effective, in my opinion, to use permethrin. Clothes can be easily sprayed or a solution made with liquid permethrin and water to soak. Cheap, quick, and very effective. They will last through several washings. Also, I still use the top of a bug suit, and in hot weather just wear a T-shirt underneath. Generally, I don't find factory treated clothing to be worth the cost, but a lot of people get good results with them.
Quote from: Kevin Hansen on May 16, 2019, 07:03:46 AM
For 10 pieces of clothing it cost me $8.33 per piece.
In the long run, that's probably cheaper than treating clothes yourself.
And not all concentrate is odorless. I like the whole concept of what you did...send MY clothes that I already know I like and have an odorless, lifetime treatment.
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It has been over a year since having some of my clothing professionally treated by InsectShield. I promised to report back and feel enough time has passed to do so. After two seasons of use and numerous washings the protection against ticks and mosquitoes seems to be just as effective now as when it was new. I'm satisfied with the service.
I have been sending them my clothes for around 4-5 years, and have had at least two dozen sets of clothes treated. You can also do socks gloves hats neck gaiters ect. I have not had a tick or a skeeter bite. Money well spent .
Hap
1arrow1kill, LOL and totally agree!
JFYI permethrin will spot stain fabric car seats if sprayed directly on them.
I hate ticks!
Another FYI update on my Insect Shield treated clothing...
As reported a few months ago I have been very pleased with my Insect Shield treated clothing. Two years time and well over 100 days in the field and it still seems to be doing its thing. I kept thinking though that in addition to the treatment lasting 70 launderings there had to be some sort of "time in the field" factor involved, too. After an email request sent to customer service I received the following reply:
"Our treatment has a shelf life of 10 years (without any washes or weathering) but we recommend retreating after 6 months of weathering or continuous wear of an item.
I would recommend retreating every year to 2 years in your case to be sure the treatment stays in and you are protected."
I have been sending them my clothes for six years and have not seen any drop off in effectiveness
Hap
This is a good shirt. I have one and it is very light and breathable. It also has a mosquito repellent treatment. https://www.tusxhunter.com/product/stone-savannah-shirt/
Quote from: Hot Hap on April 13, 2021, 09:56:56 PM
I have been sending them my clothes for six years and have not seen any drop off in effectiveness
Hap
Hap, how long until you have an article of clothing retreated?
Thanks.
I have not yet had any clothes retreated . They are just as good as the day I got them back . The clothes I wear most often have been washed at least 15 times . Skeeters hover but do not land. Ticks last maybe 10-15 seconds before bailing out. Most die before they make it off.
Hap
I use permethrin concentrate. You mix it w water. I spray clothes before each season, turkey and deer. Never had a single tick on me. 10 bucks last years, been over 4-5 years I bet now w the same ten dollar bottle. It's used weekly on dogs, yearly on small game chaps. Now add the convenience of not packing stuff up, driving to P.O., the cost, etc it's far cheaper and easier. Why complicate things and make it lots more expensive in the process?
Quote from: Tom1958 on May 16, 2019, 02:11:17 PM
Quote from: Kevin Hansen on May 16, 2019, 07:03:46 AM
For 10 pieces of clothing it cost me $8.33 per piece.
In the long run, that's probably cheaper than treating clothes yourself.
And not all concentrate is odorless. I like the whole concept of what you did...send MY clothes that I already know I like and have an odorless, lifetime treatment.
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Much much more expensive