Insect-repellent Clothing: Good for Environment, Bad for Ticks!
Photo Credit: Insect Shield's Lifestyle Collection
offers a range of every day basics including shirts, pants, hats,
and accessories for men, women (including maternity), and kids.
Author: Paula Jackson Jones
Orig Published: 07/21/2017
Author: Paula Jackson Jones
Orig Published: 07/21/2017
With
the rising level of tick infestation here in Maine and current reminders for
prevention practices, wouldn’t it make sense to have a product that is safe and
effective against the onslaught of ticks so small we can’t even see them and
friendly for the environment we live in?
The good news is that we do and
it is available in many forms for both people and pets!
Insect
Shield (IS):
In 1996, Insect Shield
researchers began development of the
process of bonding a proprietary repellent to consumer apparel which they had completed by 2001 with the development,
manufacture and distribution of Insect Shield Insect Repellent Apparel. In
2002, West Point Military Academy contracted with IS after finding Lyme Disease
cases on the rise. Once IS-treated uniforms were introduced, the number of new
cases was reduced to zero! After comprehensive testing, researchers perfected
the formulation, procedures and specialized equipment necessary to product the
IS Repellent Apparel and in 2003 they were granted EPA approval. In 2004,
manufacturers and distributors teamed up with IS to produce products for the
consumer market and in 2005 introduced products for pets, horses, camping and
other outdoor activities. The EPA granted apparel registration for “effective
through 70 washings” in 2006 and marketing and production took off, soon
launching worldwide with over 75 brand retail partners.
Insect Shield also offers you the option of sending in your clothing for
them to be pre-treated.
Dog Not Gone ‘NO FLY ZONE’ Insect Repellent
Apparel
No Fly Design’s products now feature the No
Fly Zone™ Insect Defense System to repel ticks, mosquitos
and other biting insects to offer even greater protection for our four legged
friends. No Fly Zone’s active ingredient, permethrin, is a synthetic form
of a naturally occurring repellent found in the chrysanthemum flower. The
product offers superior protection over other insect treatments because of a
proprietary process that binds the permethrin securely to the fibers of the
fabric to provide a durable and long-lasting protection. No Fly Zone maintains
wash durability up to 70 washings. I recently spoke with Julie Swain, owner of Maine-based company
‘Dog Not Gone’ about why they choose to take their business in this
direction. Julie told me as a mother of
small children, she had concerns about the safety of the repellent products
they were using and after a consumer came to her asking about the possibility
of infusing a tick repellent with the reflective safety vest she had for her
dog, Julie took that idea and ran with it.
Dog Not Gone buys all the No Fly Zone fabric material for their products
right here in the USA and it’s what she uses for all her repellent-infused
products. As a community partner of
ours, we proudly display their products at all our Lyme Disease Awareness
events and prevention talks.
What does all this mean for us here in Maine?
It means that we have the option of buying clothing that is already
pre-treated with a repellent safe and effective for all ages including our
pets, that is safe for the environment because it is bonded with the fabric and
lasts through 70 washes and we do not need to have any contact with chemicals
nor release any into the environment. It means that we can purchase pre-treated
items to wear for work and play, for ourselves, our children and our pets and
take comfort in knowing that we are also being protected from the ticks. Many stores are now
carrying insect repellent apparel from local hardware stores to L.L.Bean, Cabela’s,
Walmart and other retailers. We can also find them online.
Knowing that we have options
to be protected from tick encounters can bring about peace of mind and bring
back the enjoyment of spending our time outdoors enjoying life in Maine as it
was meant to be!
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