PERMETHRIN is your friend. Through incidental contact, Permethrin
KILLS biting insects with its induced hyper-activity (OD) of the insect central nervous system.
Permethrin is a synthetic derivative of the Chrysanthemum flower and can be found in concentrated form as "Hi-Yield 38" (38% Permethrin), or higher, on the WWW and local hardware store. The US Army uses 0.50% permethrin concentrate on its Deep Jungle clothing. Florida Cattlemen drive their herds through "permethrin ponds" to control flies and ticks. Here is more ==>
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PermGen.html It is recommended to dilute permethrin concentrate - with water - to 0.50% permethrin in solution. Sixteen (16) ounces of Hi-Yield 38 makes 9.5-gallons of 0.50% concentrate.
Hi-Yield 38 product label:
https://pestcontroloutlet.com/content/HiYield38.pdf Spray 0.50% solution on exterior screens, yards, walls, t-shirt on the dog, etc., but not on skin. Enzymes in the skin break down permethrin, rendering it ineffective.
Permethrin is not harmful to humans or dogs, cats though are "sensitive". Let it dry before allowing cats to walk on any surface treated with permethrin. In seven years of indoor life and in that, floors, base boards, screened porch spraying with permethrin, there have been
zero ill effects with my four (4) cats. I would NOT approve of permethrin if results with my cats had been otherwise. Check the MSDS if you have any reservations:
http://www.diypesticides.com/msds/hi-yield_systemic_insect_spray_msds.pdf Permethrin is quite effective at KILLING insects. Deet, on the other hand, is effective at driving insects off and ruining some surfaces.
DEET is a plasticizer and can damage certain rubber, plastic, vinyl, or elastic materials such as contact lenses, eyeglass frames and lenses, watch crystals, combs, painted and varnished surfaces, and certain synthetic or treated fabrics.
