[jordanb]

This seems like a good way to encourage ticks to develop a permethrin resistance because the cotton will stay in the rodents nest and gradually be reduced in concentration.

Ive been treating my car, hiking clothing and gear with permethrin and haven't had a tick since doing that. Reapply every time you go to the woods or every two weeks if you're in the woods continuously and keep the concentration up.

If my house was in the woods I would also treat the den/mud room.

If you have a rodent problem then control the rodents: manage habitat, trap/kill them, encourage predators like hawks etc.