DEET- and picaridin-based insect repellent sprays and lotions (bug dope) are available in a wide range of brands and in various form factors. How effective are they in repelling mosquitoes and ticks? What are the best concentrations to achieve? Which use is safest for children and pregnant women? Can insect repellent damage clothing and gear? Are lotions and wipes more effective than pump sprays or aerosol cans? Are there any natural products that have proven effective in repelling mosquitoes and ticks?
Insect repellent: main solutions
- DEET and Picaridin insect repellents are more effective and longer lasting than most natural insect repellents and oils
- 20% and 30% concentrations are as effective as 100% but may need to be applied more frequently
- Repellent Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE)A natural insect repellent, quite effective even in 30% concentration. Other natural products are not effective.
- Insect repellent is best used with protective clothing. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a head net when insects are most active.
- Apply permethrin to clothing or purchase Insect Shield-treated clothing, which repels insects and helps prevent them from biting through clothing.
- Wrist bands, clip-on fans, citronella candles, and natural repellents such as lemongrass, cinnamon, cedarwood, clove, rosemary, or peppermint do not work very well.
- Read insect repellent instructions carefully and apply them as directed. Many questions can be answered by reading product instructions found online or manufacturers’ safety sheets.
Insect Repellent: Deeply
DEET
DEET (N,N-dimethyl-meta-toluamide) is found in Ben’s 100 Max Formula Insect Repellent (95%) and 100 insect repellent spray (98%). In use since 1946, it is the most widely used insect repellent today, and is highly effective against mosquitoes and ticks. The smell of DEET is highly offensive to mosquitoes, which avoid its smell.
Studies have shown that 20%-30% DEET concentrations are as effective as the 100% concentrations listed above, but require more frequent use. DEET with a 100% concentration can last for up to 12 hours, while a 30% DEET concentration can last for up to 6 hours before requiring re-application.
A 30% DEET concentration is also available in a slow-release lotion, which can last up to 12 hours before needing to be reapplied. 3M used to sell a product called Ultrathon, which was very popular for overseas use, but it appears that they have stopped making it.
One disadvantage of DEET-based insect repellents is that they can fog up the plastic lenses on watch faces, smartphones, and glasses. It also dissolves synthetic-based fabrics, so be very careful when applying it to keep it away from plastics and the clothes you care about.
The 30% DEET concentration is safe for use by pregnant women and young children. When applying DEET to children, do not let them apply it themselves. Instead, spray it or rub it on your hands before rubbing it on open skin. Do not apply near the eyes or mouth, and apply sparingly around the ears. Avoid getting DEET on your hands because children often put their hands in their mouths and eyes. Apply only to exposed skin, not under clothing. Avoid using DEET near food and water. Wash with soap and water at the end of the day.
picaridin
Picaridin became available in the United States in 2005 and is a synthetic compound structurally related to black pepper. It repels mosquitoes, gnats, biting flies, sand flies, mosquitoes, chiggers and midges. It is widely used in Europe and is recommended by the World Health Organization for malaria prevention in 40 countries.
The most effective concentration of picaridin is 20%, and will last for 8-12 hours before needing to be reapplied. Lower concentrations, sometimes found in wipes, are only marginally less effective.
Unlike DEET, picaridin is safe to use around plastics, synthetic apparel and gear with synthetic coatings, such as fishing lines, sunglasses, watches, GPS units or phone screens.
Picaridin is considered safe for children as young as 2 months of age and pregnant women. However, contact with eyes and mouth should be avoided and instructions for use should be followed carefully.
Lotions, Wipes, Aerosols and Pumps
Insect repellent lotions last much longer than sprays with comparable DEET or picaridin concentrations because the repellent is rubbed into the skin, delaying evaporation. This is much more accurate than applying insect repellent from a spray or pump as it is easy to miss areas by mistake. Wipes also provide an effective way of applying insect repellent to the skin, but result in additional waste, which must be disposed of after use.
Spray-ons and pump sprays containing DEET are also difficult to direct precisely and can be ruined if they are accidentally applied to plastic gear or synthetic clothing. If you accidentally get DEET on gear and clothing, wash it off immediately with plenty of water to avoid damage.
natural insect repellent
Research studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Consumers Union have shown that oil of lemon eucalyptus (oleo) is the only effective natural insect repellent proven to be effective against mosquitoes and ticks. It is important not to confuse this product with Lemon Eucalyptus Oil, which is a very different product.
OLE, available as Drive away the lemon eucalyptus, Remains effective for 6 hours at 30% concentration. However, OLE has not been well tested in children, and the CDC and Consumers Union recommend not using it in children under 3 years of age. Natural insect repellents, including citronella, spearmint, cloves, lemongrass and other botanicals, have not been proven effective against mosquitoes and ticks.
What is your favorite insect repellent for mosquitoes and ticks?
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