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Mosquito Repellents

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Mosquito Repellents

Recommendations



The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using products that have been shown to be effective and contain active ingredients registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Mosquito repellents containing the active ingredients DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or picaridin may provide longer-lasting protection against mosquito bites. Actual protection time can vary based on conditions, such as temperature, perspiration, and exposure to water.

Read the Label

Always follow the directions on the label. Also, be aware that a higher percentage of DEET in a repellent does not mean that your protection is better just that it will last longer. DEET concentrations higher than 50 percent do not increase the length of protection. Choose the appropriate repellent for the length of time you'll be outdoors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
  • A product containing 23.8 percent DEET provided an average of 5 hours of protection from mosquito bites.
  • A product containing 20 percent DEET provided almost 4 hours of protection.
  • A product with 6.65 percent DEET provided almost 2 hours of protection.
  • Products with 4.75 percent DEET and 2 percent soybean oil were both able to provide roughly 1 hour of protection. Note: Only use products labeled for pet use on your dog, cat, or other domestic pet.