Permethrin as a clothing treatment for personal protection against chigger mites (Acarina: Trombiculidae).

A study was done to evaluate the personal protection afforded by uniforms treated with permethrin (0.125 mg/cm2) against natural infestations of chigger mites, Trombicula spp. The study utilized human test subjects taking part in a military field training exercise. At the end of the 3-day period, there was 74.2% increase in protection provided by the treated uniforms compared to an untreated uniform and the use of repellent. The increased protection amounted to ca 60 fewer mite attachments per treated subject. The treated uniforms were also found to be nonirritating and nonodorous.