Insect Repellants – Summer is here!

DEET is still the gold standard. Generally steer toward products with DEET 10% to 30% (OFF! Deep Woods, etc). Check labels for specifics…such as concentration, duration of protection, and what it repels (mosquitoes, ticks, etc). Higher concentrations may last longer, but protective effects plateau around DEET 50%. DEET has over 60 years of safety data…and rare toxicities (seizures, etc) are linked to ingestion or improper use. Plus DEET 10% is safe in pregnancy and down to age 6 months. If you don’t like the smell or feel of DEET, go toward icaridin (Care Plus Icaridin Insect Repellent, etc). It’s odourless, not sticky or greasy, and doesn’t damage plastics or some fabrics like DEET can. There isn’t as much evidence with icaridin, but it seems to work as well as DEET…and can also be used in pregnancy and down to age 6 months. Stick to a max of icaridin 10% in kids. Oil of lemon eucalyptus 30% (Natrapel, etc) seems comparable to DEET 15% against mosquitoes…but may not protect against ticks. Avoid it in kids under 3 years…it’s not well studied. If you need both sunscreen and repellent, apply sunscreen first…then repellent. Don’t rely on other topicals. For instance, citronella oil 10% only repels mosquitoes for up to 20 minutes. Steer away from supplements (B vitamins, garlic, etc)…and repellent bracelets or ultrasonic devices. They’re not effective. Apply the insecticide permethrin to clothing, gear, etc…for more protection and do not apply it to skin.