Insect Repellents
Revised May 2006
- Why should I use insect repellent?
- When should I use insect repellent?
- Which repellents work the best?
- How long do repellents work?
- Are insect repellents safe?
- How should insect repellents be used on children?
- Are other repellents effective (e.g. Skin-So-Soft)?
Why should I use insect repellent?
Insect repellents help people avoid mosquito and/or tick bites. Avoiding mosquito and tick bites can prevent West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and other illnesses that can be transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks.
When should I use insect repellent?
Apply mosquito repellent when you are going to be outdoors at dawn and dusk, or at other times when mosquitoes are active. Apply tick repellent when you will be in wooded, brushy, or grassy places where ticks may live.
Which repellents work the best?
DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is an ingredient used to repel mosquitoes and ticks. DEET has been tested against a variety of biting insects and has been shown to be very effective. Be sure to carefully follow the directions on the label. A higher percentage of DEET in a repellent does not mean that your protection is better—just that it will last longer. Use DEET repellents with concentrations below 10 percent for children (ages 3 and older) and below 30 percent for adults.
Picaridin (KBR 3023) is an ingredient used to repel mosquitoes. Oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)], a plant based repellent, also provides protection from mosquito bites.
Permethrin is an insecticide and insect repellent that can be used on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear. Permethrin should never be applied to skin. Permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects and retains this effect after laundering.
How long do repellents work?
Length of protection varies with the amount of active ingredient, air temperature, amount of physical activity and perspiration, water exposure, and other factors. Re-apply repellents according to label instructions.
Are insect repellents safe?
Yes, products containing DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and permethrin are safe when used according to the directions on the label. Each of these ingredients has been registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA registration of repellent active ingredients indicates the materials have been reviewed and approved for efficacy and human safety when applied according to the instructions on the
How should insect repellents be used on children?
Be sure to carefully follow the directions on the label.
- Apply sparingly, to clothing and/or exposed areas of skin.
- Do not apply to a child’s face or hands, or to skin that is scratched or irritated.
- Do not use DEET on infants.
- Do not use DEET on children under age 3 or in concentrations greater than 10 percent without first consulting your child's health care provider.
- Cream, lotion, or stick formulas are best for applying to areas of exposed skin.
- Wash skin where repellent was applied when mosquito exposure has ended.
- When using repellent on a child, apply it to your own hands and then rub them on your child. Avoid children's eyes and mouth and use it sparingly around their ears.
- Do not apply repellent to children's hands. (Children may tend to put their hands in their mouths.)
- Do not allow young children to apply insect repellent to themselves; have an adult do it for them. Keep repellents out of reach of children.
- Do not apply repellent to skin under clothing.
- Mosquito netting can be used over infant carriers.
You can also reduce the number of mosquitoes in the area by getting rid of containers with standing water that provide breeding places for the mosquitoes.
Are other repellents effective (e.g. Skin-So-Soft)?
Some other repellent products which are intended to be applied directly to skin also provide some protection from mosquito bites. However, studies have suggested that other products do not offer the same level of protection, and that protection does not last as long as products containing DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
People should choose a repellent that they will use consistently and that will provide sufficient protection for the amount of time that they will be spending outdoors. Product labels often indicate the length of time that protection that can be expected from a product. Persons who are concerned about using insect repellents may wish to consult their health care provider for advice.