Mosquito Repellent and DEET

Wearing long sleeves and pants is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family against mosquito bites, as is using mosquito repellent that contains DEET.

Mosquito Myths and Folk Remedies
We do not endorse any folk remedies to prevent mosquito bites such as using garlic, bananas, vanilla extract, dryer sheets, Vicks Vaporub, marigolds, or taking massive amounts of vitamins.

Q. Why should I use insect repellent?
A. Insect repellents help people reduce their exposure to mosquito bites and allow them to continue to play and work outdoors.

Q. When should I use mosquito repellent?
A. Apply repellent when you are going to be outdoors and will be at risk for getting bitten by mosquitoes.

Q. What time of day is best?
A. Many of the mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus are especially likely to bite around dusk and dawn. If you are outdoors around these times of the day, it is important to apply repellent. The safest decision is to apply repellent whenever you are outdoors.

Q. How often should it be reapplied?
A. Follow the directions on the product you are using in order to determine how frequently you need to reapply repellent. Higher percentages of DEET is not more effective, it just lasts longer between applications. Sweating, perspiration or getting wet may mean that you need to reapply repellent more frequently.

Q. Is a repellent containing DEET safe?
A. Yes, products containing DEET are very safe when used according to directions. Because DEET is so widely used, a great deal of testing has been done. Over the long history of DEET use, very few incidents of toxic reactions to DEET have occurred when the product is used properly. (DEET may also be listed on product ingredients as N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, also known as N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide.)

Q. Can I use an insect repellent containing DEET and sunscreen at the same time?
A. Yes. People can and should use both sunscreen and DEET when they are outdoors. Apply sunscreen first, followed by repellent containing DEET. Follow the instructions for proper application of each product.

To protect from both sun exposure and insect bites, you can also wear long sleeves and long pants. You can also apply insect repellent containing DEET or permethrin to your clothing, rather than directly to your skin.

Q. Are non-DEET repellents such as Skin-So-Soft and plant-based lotions effective ?
A. Some non-DEET repellent products also provide some protection from mosquito bites when applied directly to skin. However, studies have suggested that other products do not offer the same level of protection, or that protection does not last as long. A soybean-oil-based product has been shown to provide protection only for a period of time similar to products with a low concentration of DEET. Other products are not likely to offer the same degree of protection from mosquito bites as those containing DEET.

Q. Are there any risks due to using repellents containing DEET?
A. Use of these products may cause skin reactions in rare cases. If you suspect a reaction to this product, discontinue use, wash the treated skin, and call your doctor or local poison control center. If you go to a doctor, take the product with you.

Cases of serious reactions to products containing DEET have been related to misuse of the product, such as swallowing, using over broken skin, and using for multiple days without washing skin in between use. Always follow the instructions on the product label.

Q. Is DEET safe for pregnant women?
A. There are no reported adverse events following use of repellents containing DEET in pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Q. Is DEET safe for use on children?
A. No serious illness has been linked to the use of DEET in children when used according the product recommendations. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other experts suggest that it is acceptable to apply repellent with low concentrations of DEET to infants over two months old. Other guidelines cite that it is acceptable to use repellents containing DEET on children over two years of age. Other repellents have not been as thoroughly studied as DEET, and may not be safer for use on children. You can also add protection against bites with mosquito netting or a thin cloth over baby carriers and by dressing children in long sleeves and long pants.

Parents should choose the type and concentration of repellent by taking into account the amount of time that a child will be outdoors, exposure to mosquitoes, and the risk of mosquito-transmitted disease in the area.

Persons who are concerned about using DEET or other products on children may wish to consult their health care provider for advice. The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) can also provide information through a toll-free number, 1-800-858-7378 or npic.orst.edu.