Sawyers Bug Spray
Whitetail Deer
I wanted some opinions on Sawyers Permethrin spray for ticks/chiggers. I hunt during the early season in Eastern KS and everything I read about Sawyer's is very positive. My concern is that is states that it's unscented on the bottle, but I spray it like it says and I then leave my clothes outside for a few days and I still can smell the spray every year for weeks after season starts. I would think that if I can smell it then deer can obviously smell it. Any thoughts are appreciated
Far as I'm concerned, it's the best thing since venison itself. Seriously. That stuff has worked fantastically for me for years now. One year I forgot prior to turkey season opening. Had many, many ticks all over my clothes and turkey vest, sprayed down when I got home, let it dry, went out the next day, and rest of the season - never another tick.
I've used it religiously and it is worth it.
I dont know about chiggers, we dont have them here in the north east... But we have an absolute train load of ticks. If it works here, for ticks, it should work anywhere.
Highly, highly recommend.
KSsolo- I use it religiously for bio work. It works great especially when used with gators. However, I do not us it in season because I don’t usually hunt until after first frost.
Permethrin does last after 6-7 washings. Maybe treat then wash your camo in scent free soap?
I agree with Will……zero ticks when i used to pick them up a lot.
I treated a set of outer clothes on a drop camp moose hunt in Alaska…we were literally in a swamp with skeeters, flies etc. I could hold out my arm and see 20 bugs trying to bite me…then they fall off dead. I think it put a dent in the skeeters around camp.
Lasts for about 3 washings…maybe more. Be careful not to rub it in your eyes….so I keep it off of the ends of sleeves and around my collar…not supposed to have skin contact.
I mix my own….its .25% concentration…it doesnt take much to work well.
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Works for both ticks and chiggers. The best!
Highly recommend it. Around here the frost may slow them down a little but they are still prevalent. I've seen them crawling on snow at 32 degrees with the sun out.
I've never had any issue with ticks or chiggers when using Sawyers. I agree that it works great. My concern is the scent when it states than it's unscented. If I can smell it then the deer have to smell it. I have the same issue with "unscented laundry soap". I can definitely smell the soap as well. If I can smell these "unscented" products...how can the deer not smell them?
Because you stay downwind of what you wish to kill.
I’ve used it many years. Never had an insect problem while using it. And as far as I know, I haven’t lost any shot opportunities on deer or elk.
I agree it smells, just get seperate set's of camo for Turkey & Deer/Elk/things with olfactory glands
I used it last year for the first time, after having several tick bites in what was a new hunting spot the year before. Made a big difference.
I just bought more to treat my clothes prior to the coming season. My local Walmart has an 18 oz. aerosol can for $10.97. I ordered a two-pack of the same 18 oz. cans online for $13.99. Heck of a deal. But right now, Walmart.com has the same two-pack for $10.97, same price as a single can in-store! See the link. Good Hunting!
All I know, is that if a deer is downwind of you, it's not taking off for the next county due to the bug spray... It just smells you, and bug spray - but you are the scary thing.
Ill admit Sawyers stinks a bit when first applied, maybe for a day or two after, but then it dissipates and at least for me, I can no longer smell it. If you are worried about it, just spray and dry, let it hang outside for a couple days and you should be good to go.
I'm more worried about the risk of tick borne illness here given how commonly it occurs than I am of getting "winded", so I just take the chance.
The stuff is magic. I guess I've never noticed much of an odor.
Maybe mix it with Nose Jammer!
I always spray my clothes at least a week or 2 before early Archery and Spring gobbler. By the time season rolls around smell is gone. Never had a problem and it WORKS!
I treat my own 13.5 % permethrin 6-8 ounces to a gallon of water spray with a hand held sprayer let it dry and you are good for the year.Lasts through several washings.Been doing for over 20 years.We live and hunt in tick country.It’s the same formula Sawyers uses Good luck Lewis
Well worth the little scent......it works!
Does it work on mosquitoes? I'd love to get rid of my headnet for early season.
My experience is that it doesn’t repel mosquitoes from bare skin
I never noticed a smell after hanging outside to dry. I use a lot too. I’ve used it bear hunting and they were all around me without ever bolting like they smelled something.
It saved turkey season foe me. I hate ticks.
I don't use it during deer but don't really worry about scent, just wind.
If a lot of ticks I would not hunt with out. I only use it during turkey season so scent is not a worry.
If you care about saving a few bucks make your own buy the concentrate and dilute to .5% put in spray bottle. If not using often probably take a while to save enough money for the effort. You can make gallons for similar price of one can of sawyers though.
I think it cuts down the amount of skeeters and Black flies. Just doesn’t seem to be as many buzzing around my head when my clothes are sprayed.
The stuff works. After having a deer tick lodge into the back of my arm and swelling it up pretty bad I swore never again. Since using it I have never had a tick bite. They seem to drop off as soon as they get on my legs or socks. The company also does a lot of mission work to which I appreciate.
I quit I won’t mention it again Good luck all Lewis
