The search for the perfect and safe insect repellent has been going on for a long time. DEET has long been used as a mosquito repellent, but many people are concerned with the health risks of DEET and do not want to use DEET. There are numerous other mosquito repellents available for good protection.
Mosquito Repellents with DEET
DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) has long been used as a mosquito repellent. As kids and adults, we used products that contain DEET like OFF or put up with mosquito bites. Recently in the United States, the use of mosquito repellent has become more important with the discovery of the West Nile virus.
There is an ongoing debate if DEET is safe or not. You can read articles that say DEET is very safe, but then you take a look at another article that says it is not safe. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States says that insect repellents containing DEET do not present a health concern.
Human exposure is expected to be brief. Long-term exposure is not expected. They don’t say what they believe brief is and they don’t seem to take into account that DEET like any chemical will be absorbed into the body through the skin, which appears to be the major concern with DEET.
Picaridin
Another new chemical for mosquito repellent is called Picaridin, also known as Bayrepel, which according to the CDC is as effective as DEET while others say that it is not.
Researches found when Picaridin is applied to the skin, 6 percent is absorbed into the body and almost all of it is excreted. The EPA has determined it is not likely to cause cancer [1].
Natrapel® from Tender Corporation is a DEET-free mosquito and tick repellent with Picaridin.
Natrapel® from Tender Corporation is a DEET-free mosquito and tick repellent with Picaridin.
2016 Update for Zika Virus
First, we had West Nile virus and now we have to worry about the Zika virus. So far, there have been no reports of the Zika virus caused by a mosquito bite in the United States. The Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito.
Consumer Report recently reported that both Sawyer Fisherman's Formula Picaridin and Natrapel 8 Hour were found to be effective against bites from the Aedes mosquito. These products contain 20 percent picaridin. Off Deepwoods VIII was also found effective and contains 25 percent DEET.
Tips for Applying Mosquito Repellents
To make sure you are protected against bug and mosquito bites, it is important to apply the product correctly.
- Never apply repellents under clothing, only on exposed skin.
- Do not apply bug and mosquito repellents on open cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
- To apply repellent on your face, put the repellent on your hands and then rub it on your face, avoiding your mouth and eyes.
- Apply the repellent to young children yourself.
- Do not use on children under 2 years old.
Natural Mosquito Repellents
Lemon eucalyptus
A good natural mosquito repellent is the oil of lemon eucalyptus. Along with DEET and Picaridin, the CDC recommends oil of lemon eucalyptus as effective protection against mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus.
A product called Repel® Lemon Eucalyptus says it is effective for up to six hours against mosquitoes and deer ticks. According to Consumer Reports August 2005 tests, Repel® Lemon Eucalyptus was the highest scoring of the botanical mosquito repellents they tested.
Soybean oil
Soybean oil has been found to deter mosquito bites as well as 15 percent DEET does. One study showed protection from mosquito bites up to 7 hours and another study showed protection of only one and one-half hours.
The company Homs LLC makes a soybean-based mosquito and black fly repellent called Bite Blocker™, which they say is 97% effective for 4-8 hours.
Citronella
Citronella has long been used in candles for outdoor patios as a way to keep mosquitoes away. As a repellent that you can put on your skin, there are mixed results. Several companies have products for use as a mosquito repellent.
A company called Quantum has a product called Buzz Away™
that you spray on yourself. The company says it will keep bugs away for hours. It is all natural and of course DEET free, made from the oils of cedarwood, citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemongrass.
Some people report skin allergies and it does cause eye irritation.
Geraniol
The University of Florida identified geraniol as the first alternative to DEET in the late 1990s. USDA research found that geraniol based repellents protect against mosquito bites from two to four hours. The EPA found that it could cause moderate eye and skin irritation. The company EES, Inc. has a product called BugBand, which you can spray on, wipe on or use the wristband version you can wear.
Promising Mosquito Repellent Research
According to the Journal of Entomology, a natural compound found in the Tauroniro tree (Humiria balsamifera) of South America has been found to deter the biting of mosquitoes and ticks. In laboratory tests, the US Agriculture Service has found the compound known as isolongifolenone deters the biting of mosquitoes and ticks more effectively than DEET does [2].
Isolongifolenone has been used safely as fragrances in cosmetics and deodorants and with new processing methods, it could soon become as cheap to make as DEET currently is.
With any of these products always read the warning labels.
Note: Do not confuse DEET with DDT, as they are different.
About the Author
Sam Montana is a certified Food Over Medicine instructor from the Wellness Forum Health Center and certified in optimal nutrition from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Copyright © 2009-2019 Sam Montana
Sources:
Tips for Applying Mosquito Repellents
To make sure you are protected against bug and mosquito bites, it is important to apply the product correctly.
- Never apply repellents under clothing, only on exposed skin.
- Do not apply bug and mosquito repellents on open cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
- To apply repellent on your face, put the repellent on your hands and then rub it on your face, avoiding your mouth and eyes.
- Apply the repellent to young children yourself.
- Do not use on children under 2 years old.
Natural Mosquito Repellents
Lemon eucalyptus
A good natural mosquito repellent is the oil of lemon eucalyptus. Along with DEET and Picaridin, the CDC recommends oil of lemon eucalyptus as effective protection against mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus.A product called Repel® Lemon Eucalyptus says it is effective for up to six hours against mosquitoes and deer ticks. According to Consumer Reports August 2005 tests, Repel® Lemon Eucalyptus was the highest scoring of the botanical mosquito repellents they tested.
Soybean oil
Soybean oil has been found to deter mosquito bites as well as 15 percent DEET does. One study showed protection from mosquito bites up to 7 hours and another study showed protection of only one and one-half hours.
The company Homs LLC makes a soybean-based mosquito and black fly repellent called Bite Blocker™, which they say is 97% effective for 4-8 hours.
Citronella
Citronella has long been used in candles for outdoor patios as a way to keep mosquitoes away. As a repellent that you can put on your skin, there are mixed results. Several companies have products for use as a mosquito repellent.
A company called Quantum has a product called Buzz Away™
that you spray on yourself. The company says it will keep bugs away for hours. It is all natural and of course DEET free, made from the oils of cedarwood, citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemongrass.
Some people report skin allergies and it does cause eye irritation.
Geraniol
The University of Florida identified geraniol as the first alternative to DEET in the late 1990s.
Promising Mosquito Repellent Research
According to the Journal of Entomology, a natural compound found in the Tauroniro tree (Humiria balsamifera) of South America has been found to deter the biting of mosquitoes and ticks.
Isolongifolenone has been used safely as fragrances in cosmetics and deodorants and with new processing methods, it could soon become as cheap to make as DEET currently is.
With any of these products always read the warning labels.
Note: Do not confuse DEET with DDT, as they are different.
About the Author
Sam Montana is a certified Food Over Medicine instructor from the Wellness Forum Health Center and certified in optimal nutrition from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Copyright © 2009-2019 Sam Montana
Sources:
[2] Entomological Society of America
