01
DO NOT spray 0.5% permethrin directly on bare skin.
02
Permethrin is registered for use on clothing, footwear, and gear, where it bonds to fibers and remains effective through several washes.
03
On skin, esterases break it down quickly, so it does not provide useful repellency, and the label specifically directs against skin application.
04
Apply permethrin to clothing only, let it dry completely (typically 2-4 hours) before wearing, and never spray it on cats at any concentration.
05
For skin, use an EPA-registered topical repellent: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.