The Story Behind Insect Shield

Insect Shield was founded in the early 2000’s after years of research, leading to the development of the process of bonding a proprietary permethrin repellent to consumer apparel. Our business has used that technology to produce clothing, gear, and accessories to help protect people around the globe, including outdoor enthusiasts and even the US Military, from a variety of insects, including those that carry dangerous diseases. 

In addition, Insect Shield prioritizes global health with a number of initiatives and partnerships with leading organizations. We also deliver helpful resources made in partnership with experts so people may continue to enjoy nature with more peace of mind and knowledge about insects and the risks they pose.

How Insect Shield Technology Works

Proprietary Permethrin Repellent

The Insect Shield process binds a proprietary permethrin formula tightly to fabric fibers. This process results in effective, odorless insect protection that lasts the expected lifetime of apparel. 

Long-Lasting Performance

The repellency of Insect Shield apparel is EPA-registered to last through 70 launderings, the expected lifetime of a garment. That makes it a durable option for people who want long-lasting repellency built into what they wear.

Tested and Proven

Insect Shield technology is the result of years of intensive research and field study. Numerous studies have confirmed the effectiveness of permethrin-treated clothing as an insect repellent. Insect Shield’s own testing methods follow United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines, and the results conclusively show that our unique, long-lasting insect protection works.

What Makes Insect Shield Different?

What makes Insect Shield unique is its proprietary bonding process, which allows repellency to stay on treated fabric for long-lasting use. Rather than requiring constant reapplication to apparel, the repellency is built into the item itself.

Insect Shield also stands apart by offering more than one way to get treated products, through both finished apparel and gear, and treatment services for clothes consumers already own.

Just as important, the brand has spent decades focused on helping people navigate the outdoors with more confidence, better information, and practical solutions designed for real-world use.

Which insects does Insect Shield repel?

The list of insects our technology repels is long. The EPA requires extensive effectiveness data to prove a product's ability to repel insects. Many species and varieties of these insects have been tested, including those that can carry dangerous diseases. 

Insect Shield® Repellent Apparel is registered to repel:

• Mosquitoes
• Ticks
• Ants
• Flies
• Chiggers
• Midges (no-see-ums)

Insect Shield® Repellent Gear is registered to repel:

• Mosquitoes
• Ticks
• Fleas
• Flies

Commonly Asked Questions About Insect Shield

What is Insect Shield technology?

Insect Shield technology is a proprietary permethrin formula that bonds to fabric fibers, creating an effective, odoruless insect protection layer that lasts the expected lifetime of apparel – up to 70 launderings. It is EPA-registered and USDA-tested. 

How long has Insect Shield been around? 

Insect Shield has been around for more than 25 years. Researchers began developing the process that creates Insect Shield® Repellent Apparel in 1996. Insect Shield LLC was formed in 2001.

Which I heart peek-a-boo products use Insect Shield?

Insect Shield sells insect repellent clothing, including tees, explorer pants, and crew socks.

What makes Insect Shield unique? 

Insect Shield is unique in part because of its proprietary bonding process that creates long-lasting, odourless protection that doesn’t wash out, and the business’s focus on global and consumer well-being in the face of disease-carrying insects. 

How did permethrin originate, and what are its uses?

Permethrin has been successfully used in the United States as a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered product since 1977, with an excellent safety record. It is used in lice shampoos for children, flea dips for dogs, and various other products, some of which are regulated by the FDA.

What are the benefits of Insect Shield vs. other forms of insect protection?

Insect Shield Repellent Apparel puts insect repellency near your skin, instead of on it, and the protection is invisible. Also, the repellency is long-lasting, so no re-application is needed.

Is Insect Shield an environmentally responsible option?

Yes. Insect Shield is designed to be a more environmentally responsible addition to personal insect protection by putting a small amount of long-lasting permethrin where it’s needed: on clothing and gear. The active ingredient is tightly bonded to fabric fibers, helping it stay in the product through its expected life rather than needing frequent reapplication.

The Insect Shield process is also designed to be clean, efficient, and contained, with no loss of active ingredient into the environment or wastewater management.

How should I wash Insect Shield clothing?

For items that can be washed, normal home laundering is recommended. Insect Shield repellent clothes can be bleached, starched, pressed, etc., without effect on the repellent quality; however, they should not be dry cleaned. Dry cleaning removes some of the active ingredients from the apparel, which reduces the insect repellent quality. Learn More

Is Insect Shield approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)? 

Yes. Insect Shield Repellent Apparel is EPA registered under Reg. No. 74843-2. Insect Shield Repellent Gear is EPA registered under Reg. No. 74843-5.

What does EPA registration mean? 

The EPA registration process evaluates a proposed product to make sure it will not have harmful effects on people or the environment. Insect Shield repellent is EPA-approved for use by the whole family, with no restrictions.

Our chemistry, the application process, and the final consumer product have all been rigorously evaluated. Insect Shield Repellent Apparel was registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2003. The EPA accepted an amendment extending the durability claims of our apparel from 25 washes to 70 washes in 2006. 

How long does Insect Shield last?

Insect Shield gear repellency remains effective through 6 months of exposure to weathering, or through 25 launderings for washable items. Insect Shield clothing repellency lasts up to 70 washings. This is confirmed in our EPA registration. It is well beyond the life of most performance fabric finishes. Insect Shield products also have a long shelf life. Treated garments stored for ten years have shown no loss of repellent effectiveness.

Does the product have an odour?

Insect Shield Repellent Apparel feels and smells the same as other clothing.

Why does the Insect Shield label say “dispose of in trash after use?”

This indicates that Insect Shield products can be simply deposited in the trash and require no special disposal process. Eventually, the repellency becomes exhausted through wearing and laundering.

Can Insect Shield products be used around cats?

Insect Shield technology is used in a wide assortment of pet products including beds, blankets, cots, gaiters, bandanas and apparel items.

While permethrin has been known to be harmful to cats in liquid form, Insect Shield repellency is so tightly bound to the fabric fibers in such minimal amounts that it does not pose a risk to cats, or when used in multi-pet households.

Original Source: https://www.insectshield.com/pages/what-is-insect-shield