Should You Buzz Off?

by Jim Zayjac

Ticks and Lyme disease both appear on the rise around Accabonac, and they beg a look at methods of tick-bite prevention. Virtually every product on the market for tick control relies on permethrin, a synthetic version of the natural insecticide pyrethrum, derived from the dried flower heads of certain chrysanthemums. Owners of dogs, cats, horses and other domesticated animals recognize permethrin as the tick-control ingredient in Frontline, Advantix and similar products. Permethrin is also the active ingredient in Damminix, designed for use on yards. Now comes tick-repellant clothing woven with permethrin. Sold under the BuzzOff clothing label, items of apparel such as trousers, socks, shirts, gloves and hats are available through Orvis, L.L. Bean and other well-known retailers, as well as online (see www.buzzoff.com). BuzzOff fabric repels mosquitoes, ants, flies, chiggers and midges, in addition to ticks, and is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Any downside? Apiarists, clammers and fishermen should wear these products with extreme caution since permethrin is highly toxic to both bees and most forms of aquatic life. BuzzOff clothing shouldn’t be dry-cleaned since permethrin breaks down in the process, but permethrin isn’t soluble in water so BuzzOff clothing can be washed as many as 25 times while remaining effective — you might want to keep a laundry pen handy to track each washing on the garment itself. Wash clothing woven with permethrin separately, and only in a well-functioning septic system, where the active compounds can break down before reaching our drinking water or Accabonac Harbor.

No repellant is a guarantee, so be sure to check yourself for ticks after every possible exposure, and familiarize yourself with proper procedures for dealing with ticks when found.