If you love being outside but hate the annoying bugs that ruin your day, here’s a tip for you: spray your shoes with a product containing permethrin. Permethrin is a man-made compound derived from a surprising source: the chrysanthemum flower. Chrysanthemums contain what are called pyrethrins, naturally occurring insecticides that can kill bugs like mosquitoes and ticks. The catch is that in their natural form, pyrethrins don’t stay effective for very long. They last only for a few hours or so, but synthetic permethrin can kill bugs while lasting for weeks to even months. If you plan on using it on your pets, be aware that dogs tolerate permethrin well, and it’s often an active ingredient in canine flea and tick treatments. However, cats’ nervous systems are highly sensitive to it, so they should not be treated directly. You can also spray it on tents if you’re camping. However, be warned that you should NEVER spray it directly onto your skin. Brands that use permethrin include Sawyer Products, Ranger Ready Repellents, and Insect Shield Premium Permethrin Spray, which can all be found on Amazon.
