Do mosquito-repellent clothes really work?

With the arrival of the mosquito-borne Zika virus in the United States — and the first Zika-related death happening in our own backyard — outdoor clothing companies are advertising products that can supposedly protect against mosquito-borne illnesses. But just how does your wardrobe prevent mosquito bites?

Repellent-Treated Threads

Clothing that has been pretreated with insect repellent is the newest type of anti-mosquito wear to hit the market. The majority of clothing recently hyped to defend against Zika falls into this category.

The most common pretreatment used is a compound called permethrin, which is the same technology the US military treats its uniforms and mosquito nets. Permethrin is a broad-spectrum toxin that kills insects, such as mosquitoes, as well as other arthropods, such as ticks. When used to pretreat clothing, the chemical works as a repellent. While these clothes do have some mosquito-repellent properties, they are unlikely to prevent bites on uncovered skin.

Permethrin remains active in treated clothing for weeks to months, depending on frequency of washing. But it does wear off completely. For those who would rather avoid high markups, the EPA has also approved sprays to treat clothing at home. However, while safe for most mammals — humans included — keep in mind that permethrin is toxic to cats.

Skin-Covering Clothing

It may be difficult during the hot summer months — when mosquitoes are at their most active — but the most effective clothing for preventing bites covers the skin completely. This means long sleeves, long pants, gloves, high socks, hats, you name it. Baggy is also better than tight — mosquitoes can bite through materials like spandex. While this is a little extreme for the average person in the US, it’s what is recommended by scientists in the field who are at constant risk of exposure to disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Fresh Laundry

During mosquito season, make the extra effort to wear clean clothing. Mosquitos are partially attracted to sweat and other contributors to body odor. In fact, early mosquito research found that dirty clothing can attract mosquitoes even without an actual person nearby. Think about that the next time you plan an outdoor activity this summer — and be sure to wear a clean shirt.

Bottom Line

Mosquitoes can cause serious health problems and things like clothing may help prevent bites, but they are far from guaranteed protection. The most effective way for Utah homeowners to avoid threats like Zika is to reduce the local mosquito population. If you’re experiencing a significant mosquito boom on your property, consider contacting an experienced mosquito control specialist like us at Preventive Pest Control today.