Permethrin

Permethrin is a common chemical, widely used as an insecticide and acaricide and as an insect repellent. It belongs to the family of chemicals called pyrethroids and functions as a neurotoxin, affecting neuron membranes by slowing the access of important sodium ions.

In agriculture, Permethrin is mainly used on cotton, wheat, maize, and alfalfa crops, and is also used to kill parasites on chickens and other poultry. Its use is controversial since, as a broad-spectrum chemical, it kills indiscriminately; as well as the intended pests, it can harm beneficial insects including honey bees and small mammals such as mice.

However, permethrin can be used in a targeted manner as well. This is the basis for a method of reducing populations of the deer tick Ixodes scapularis (I. dammini). Biodegradable cardboard tubes stuffed with permethrin-treated cotton, are sold under the brand name Damminix. Mice collect the cotton for lining their nests, and the pesticide on the cotton kills any immature ticks that are feeding on the mice.

Permethrin is also used in healthcare, to eradicate parasites such as head lice and scabies, and in industrial and domestic settings to control pests such as ants and termites.

Permethrin kills ticks on contact with treated clothing. According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, it "has low mammalian toxicity, is poorly absorbed through the skin and is rapidly inactivated by the body. Skin reactions have been uncommon".

Permethrin is used in tropical areas to prevent mosquito-borne disease such as Dengue fever and malaria. Mosquito nets used to cover beds may be treated with a solution of permethrin. Military personnel training in malaria-endemic areas may be instructed to treat their uniforms with permetherin as well. An application should last several washes.

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