General Use Information

• Read the entire label before using and follow the label's directions.

• Apply the repellent sparingly onto exposed skin or on top of clothing.  Do not apply under clothing.  Heavy applications are not necessary.

• Do not apply to eyes and mouth and use sparingly around ears.

• Avoid use on open wounds and irritated skin.

• Do not spray in enclosed areas.  Avoid breathing in spray mists.

• After returning indoors, wash treated area with soap and water.

• Keep out of reach of children.

  • Supervise the application on children.

  • Avoid applying to children's hands to reduce the chance of getting repellent in their eyes and mouth.

  • If you are concerned about sensitivity to a product, prior to general use apply the product to a small area of skin on your arm, then wait 24 hours to see if a reaction occurs.

Choosing a Product

• Choose a product that meets your needs.  If you will only be outdoors for a short time, choose a product with a lower concentration.

• Not all repellents are the same.  DEET protects considerably longer than other synthetic and botanical repellents.   For casual use, products with 10-35% DEET will provide adequate protection under most circumstances. In addition to DEET, products containing the active ingredients Picaridin and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus have been registered with the EPA and been shown to be effective.

• New England Journal of Medicine, and Journal of Medical Entomology articles on active ingredients and protection times of insect repellents. 

• Updated Information regarding Insect Repellents (4/22/05)

DEET Use

How it Works:

Mosquitoes are attracted to people because of their odors on their skin and the carbon dioxide created during breathing.  Repellents do not kill the mosquitoes but rather repel them, making the person unattractive for feeding.  DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) makes the mosquitoes unable to locate use.

On Children:

No definitive studies exist about what concentration of DEET is safe for children.  However, no serious effects have been documented in children when DEET is used according to the product recommendations.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Environmental Health has recently updated its recommendations for the use of DEET on children.  They state "Insect repellents containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide also known as N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) with a concentration of 10% appear to be as safe as products with a concentration of 30% when used according to the directions on the product labels."  The AAP and others indicate that DEET is safe to use on children 2 months of age or older.  Other sources suggest DEET use on children 2 years or older.  In all cases, the risk of acquiring mosquito-borne disease must be considered when deciding what precautions to take.  Non-DEET products have not necessarily been as thoroughly studied and may not be safer for use on children.

• When applying repellent to a child, avoid eyes and mouth and use sparingly around the ears.

• Do not apply repellent to a child's hands.  Children frequently place their hands in their mouths.

• Adults should apply repellent to young children.

• Repellent should not be applied under clothing, and treated clothing should be washed prior to wearing again.

• Choose a type and concentration of repellent based on the amount of time that a child will be outdoors, expected exposure to mosquitoes, and the risk of mosquito-borne disease in the area.  See section "On Adults" for information about protection times for various concentrations of DEET.

On Adults:

Products containing no more than 30% concentration of DEET will normally provide adults with sufficient protection.  Studies have shown that products with lower concentrations of DEET are just as effective, but they remain effective for shorter periods of time.

• 30% DEET will provide approximately 6 hours of protection.

• 15% DEET will provide approximately 5 hours of protection.

• 10% DEET will provide approximately 3 hours of protection.

•   5% DEET will provide approximately 2 hours of protection.

Informational Links

1. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Draft Updated Information Regarding Mosquito Repellants, 2005

2. Center for Disease Control Q&A on Insect Repellent Use and Safety

3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Fact Sheet on Insect Repellent DEET