A Guide to Insect Repellents for Bowhunters

Bowhunting requires stillness and scent control, making most insect repellents unsuitable. This guide explains how to build a layered insect defense system using permethrin-treated clothing for passive protection, Picaridin for exposed skin, and spatial repellents for stationary hunting. It covers product selection, application methods, and cost to help hunters stay undetected and focused.

The Bowhunter's Dilemma

The primary challenge for a bowhunter is balancing the need for stealth with the need to react to biting insects. Success often requires a hunter to remain perfectly still at close ranges, frequently under 40 yards. ¹ In this close-range environment, a small involuntary movement, like swatting a mosquito or flinching from a biting fly, can alert game animals such as whitetail deer and end a hunt. ² This makes controlling insects a requirement for effective early-season hunting when insect activity is at its peak. ¹

For this reason, conventional insect repellents with the active ingredient DEET are unsuitable for bowhunting. A whitetail deer has approximately 297 million olfactory receptors, compared to a human's five million, allowing it to detect foreign scents from hundreds of yards away. ⁵ The strong, chemical odor of DEET is an unnatural scent that deer associate with danger. ⁴ Besides its scent, DEET is a powerful solvent that can melt or permanently damage plastics, rayon, spandex, and various coated or varnished surfaces. ⁶ An accidental transfer of DEET from skin to gear could compromise essential components such as the plastic nocks and fletchings on an arrow, a bow sight's housing, synthetic bowstrings, or the optical coatings on rangefinder and binocular lenses. ⁶ Avoiding DEET is necessary to preserve the function and safety of essential hunting equipment.

Permethrin-Treated Apparel

The most effective insect defense for hunters starts with clothing treated with permethrin. Permethrin is an EPA-registered contact insecticide that is bonded to fabric fibers. ¹⁰ It kills ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers, and other biting insects shortly after they touch the treated garment, rather than just repelling them. ¹⁰ Once the treatment has dried, it is odorless, providing passive, long-lasting, and scent-free protection that does not alert game animals. ¹³

Hunters have two options for using permethrin: purchasing factory-treated apparel or applying a do-it-yourself (DIY) treatment. Factory-treated clothing from brands like Insect Shield, Sitka, and FORLOH uses a process that bonds permethrin to the fabric, making it last for 70 washes or the lifetime of the garment. ¹⁵ This option offers convenience at a higher initial purchase price. In contrast, DIY sprays from brands like Sawyer, Repel, and Ben's are an economical alternative, allowing a hunter to treat their existing gear. ¹³ These treatments are typically effective for up to six weeks or six laundry cycles. ¹³ For more complete coverage, a DIY soak method using diluted permethrin concentrate provides better saturation but requires following safety protocols, including using gloves and applying it in a well-ventilated outdoor area. ²⁰ Regardless of the method, permethrin is for clothing and gear only and must never be applied directly to the skin. ¹⁸

When washing treated clothing, avoid UV brighteners. Many commercial laundry detergents contain these additives, which make fabrics appear brighter to the human eye. Because deer can see light in the ultraviolet spectrum, clothing washed with these detergents can seem to "glow," negating the benefit of camouflage. ²³ It is important to wash all hunting apparel, especially permethrin-treated items, with specialized, scent-free and UV-free hunting detergents to maintain camouflage effectiveness.

Protecting Exposed Skin with Picaridin

Permethrin-treated clothing does not protect exposed skin on the face, neck, and hands, so a topical repellent is necessary. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registers several active ingredients for skin application, including DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE). ²⁴ For a bowhunter's needs, Picaridin is the superior choice.

In a 20% concentration, Picaridin is as effective as DEET against mosquitoes and ticks, offering up to 12 to 14 hours of protection. ⁸ It is also more effective than DEET against biting flies. ⁹ Its most significant advantage for hunters is that it is virtually odorless, non-greasy, and dries quickly, making it well-suited for scent control. ⁹ This has led to hunting-specific formulas from brands like Ben's and Zone Protects that market Picaridin as a scent-free solution. ²⁸ Furthermore, Picaridin will not damage plastics, synthetic coatings, or other materials, making it safe to use around bowhunting equipment. ⁸

Other topical options have significant drawbacks. DEET is unsuitable due to its strong chemical odor and its ability to damage gear. ⁴ IR3535, found in products like Avon's Skin So Soft Bug Guard, is an effective repellent but often comes in formulas with added fragrances, introducing unnecessary scents. ³² Plant-based options like Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus are unsuitable for hunting due to their powerful citrus scent, which is easily detected by game, and their shorter protection time of around six hours. ⁴

Creating a Protective Zone with Spatial Repellents

For stationary hunting, like in a treestand or ground blind, a spatial repellent creates a protective zone. The most common product in this category is the Thermacell device. These units use a small butane cartridge to heat a repellent-infused mat. ³⁶ The heat vaporizes the active ingredient, typically a synthetic pyrethroid like allethrin, creating an approximate 15-foot zone of protection against mosquitoes and other flying insects. ⁴

Several Thermacell models are suitable for hunting. The MR300 is a portable and cost-effective model often sold with a holster. ³⁹ The MR450 is a more rugged version with a rubberized exterior and an indicator light to confirm it is active. ¹ For backcountry hunters, the Backpacker model screws directly onto an isobutane camping fuel canister, offering a lightweight (4 oz) option, though it requires carrying the separate fuel canister. ⁴² Rechargeable models like the Radius are less practical for multi-day, off-grid hunts because of their reliance on battery power and shorter run times. ⁴⁵

The most debated aspect of using a Thermacell for hunting is its scent. The manufacturer markets its standard refills as "scent-free" and offers "Earth Scent" refills, but user experiences are mixed. ¹ Many hunters report using Thermacell for years without alerting game at close range, with some suggesting the faint odor may cause curiosity rather than alarm. ⁴⁷ However, most experienced hunters agree that wind direction is the most important factor. ⁴ A deer downwind will smell a hunter's scent before it smells any minimal odor from the device. A Thermacell's main benefit for hunting is that it helps the hunter remain still by eliminating the insect bites that cause sudden movements. ²

Environmental Factors and Limitations

An insect repellent strategy must adapt to the environmental conditions of each hunt. Wind is the most significant variable for spatial repellents. Any breeze will disrupt the protective vapor created by a Thermacell, reducing its effectiveness. ⁵³ To counteract this, the device must always be placed upwind of the hunter, allowing the vapor to drift across the protected area. ⁵³ Wind is also the primary carrier of all scent, reinforcing the rule of hunting from downwind of where game is expected. ⁴

Temperature and humidity also play a role. Studies indicate that high temperatures, specifically over 89.6°F (32°C), can reduce the effectiveness of some natural repellents like citronella. ⁵⁶ The heat appears to desensitize a pain receptor in mosquitoes, making them less likely to avoid the chemical. Synthetic repellents like DEET and Picaridin do not rely on this same mechanism and maintain their efficacy in hot weather, making them a more reliable choice. ⁵⁶ High humidity can cause topical repellents to sweat off, requiring more frequent reapplication than the product label suggests.

These factors show why natural or essential-oil-based repellents are often unsuitable for hunting. While options like Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus are EPA-registered, their strong scents and shorter protection times make them a risky choice. ⁴ Other popular natural repellents like citronella, peppermint, and clove oil offer even less duration and reliability, making them unsuitable for preventing bites in the field. ⁵⁹

Practical Comparisons and Cost

Choosing an insect repellent system requires balancing initial investment, ongoing costs, and field considerations like weight and durability. A hunter's budget and hunting style, from day-hunts near home to multi-day backcountry expeditions, will determine the best approach. The initial investment varies, from over $400 for a premium factory-treated clothing system to around $15 for a can of DIY permethrin spray. ¹⁷ A Thermacell device typically costs between $25 and $50, while a bottle of Picaridin lotion is around $9 to $12. ²⁸

Ongoing costs reveal a different picture. Factory-treated clothing has a very low per-season cost. DIY permethrin requires re-treatment each season or after every six washes, a recurring expense of $15 or more. ¹³ Thermacell units require refills of butane cartridges and repellent mats, with a 48-hour refill pack costing approximately $21 to $25, which is a per-hour cost of around $0.48. ³⁸ The mail-in treatment service from Insect Shield, at about $9 per item, offers a middle ground by adding professional-grade longevity to a hunter's existing gear. ¹⁵

For backcountry hunters, weight is a primary concern. Permethrin-treated clothing adds no extra weight. A Thermacell MR300 weighs about 6.4 ounces plus the weight of refills, while a bottle of Picaridin adds 4 to 5 ounces. ²⁸ Finally, the shelf life of these products is long. When stored in a cool, dry place, most synthetic repellents like Picaridin and permethrin are stable for many years, with some manufacturers claiming a shelf life of a decade. ⁶²

Multi-System Comparison

The Layered System: A Strategy for Bowhunters

The most effective insect defense is a layered system of multiple products where each one addresses a specific scenario. This approach provides overlapping protection from the moment a hunter leaves the truck until they return. ²

A layered strategy is applied in three phases. The first and most critical layer is permethrin-treated clothing. Before the hunt, the hunter's outermost garments, shirt, pants, socks, and headwear, are treated, providing a passive barrier against crawling insects like ticks and any flying insects that land. ¹⁰ This layer protects the hunter while walking to and from the stand. The second layer is for exposed skin. Before entering the woods, the hunter applies a scent-free, 20% Picaridin lotion or spray to their face, neck, and hands. ⁹ This prevents bites on exposed areas without damaging gear or emitting a strong odor. The third layer is deployed once the hunter is stationary. Upon settling into a treestand or ground blind, the hunter activates a Thermacell device, placing it upwind to establish a bite-free zone. ³⁶

This layered system provides redundancy. If strong winds make the Thermacell ineffective, the hunter is still protected by their treated clothing and topical repellent. If the hunter sweats off the Picaridin during a long walk, the permethrin on their clothing continues to provide protection. This layered approach helps a hunter manage insects, allowing them to maintain the focus and stillness necessary for success.

Best Practices & Takeaways

For a bowhunter, effective insect control provides the stillness required for a close-range encounter. A layered system helps eliminate insects as a variable that could compromise a hunt.

The most effective strategy combines three components. First, treat all outer clothing with permethrin to create a passive, odorless, and long-lasting barrier. Second, protect exposed skin with an unscented, 20% Picaridin-based lotion or spray. Its combination of high efficacy and gear safety makes it the best choice for topical application. ⁸ Third, when in a stationary position like a treestand or blind, deploy a spatial repellent like a Thermacell to create a bite-free zone.

Follow these rules for success. Do not use DEET; its scent and solvent properties make it incompatible with bowhunting. ⁴ Always be aware of the wind, as its direction affects Thermacell effectiveness and scent control. ⁵¹ Finally, maintain your camouflage by washing all hunting apparel in scent-free, UV-free detergents. ²³ By using this layered system, a bowhunter can manage insects and focus on the hunt.

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