Mosquito Repellents

Mosquitos can carry dangerous diseases, including West Nile virus, Zika and malaria. The best defense is avoiding bites, especially at dusk and dawn.

Wear long sleeves and pants, and treat clothing with permethrin. Clear away any standing water indoors and out, such as plant pot saucers, old tires, buckets and trash containers.

DEET

Deet is a powerful insect repellent that disrupts a mosquito’s ability to smell humans. It has been used for decades and is considered safe when used as directed. It is available in a variety of products, including sprays and impregnated cloths. It can be applied to the skin or clothing, and it may need to be reapplied frequently. The higher the percentage of DEET, the longer it provides protection. DEET is a good choice for children and adults, but people should avoid spraying it on cuts or wounds. It also should not be sprayed on synthetic fabrics, leather or painted or varnished surfaces.

Picaridin is a newer repellent that works similarly to DEET. It does not have the same odor as DEET and is less toxic. It can be found in several natural bug sprays and in some home remedies. It also does not damage synthetic clothes or plastics. It is effective against Asian tiger mosquitoes, which can carry dengue fever and other diseases.

Other natural bug repellents include oil of lemon eucalyptus and p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD). PMD is extracted from the leaves and twigs of the lemon eucalyptus tree. Studies have shown that it is nearly as effective as DEET at protecting against mosquito Mosquitos Repellents bites, though it does not last as long. It is also effective against the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits dengue and Zika diseases.

Picaridin

Picaridin is a powerful mosquito repellent that can be used on the skin or clothing. It has been shown to be effective against numerous arthropods, including mosquitoes and ticks. It is also safe to use on babies and toddlers, and can be found in a number of different products.

This compound is derived from piperine, a chemical in black pepper plants. It has been proven to be highly effective in preventing mosquito bites, and it is recommended by the CDC. It is odorless and non-greasy, and does not dissolve synthetic materials or plastics. It is a good choice for outdoor enthusiasts, as it is family friendly and gear safe.

It can be found in a variety of products, including pumps sprays, lotions, and aerosols. Insect repellents that contain picaridin provide protection against mosquitoes, biting flies, ticks, fleas, and chiggers. The time of protection depends on the concentration of picaridin in the product. Products with higher concentrations of picaridin offer longer protection times.

Although DEET is still the reigning champion of bug repellents, picaridin is a strong contender and may be able to take over from DEET in the future. face moisturizer Because it is newer, however, there is less data on its long-term safety. Its only downside is that it can be more irritating to the skin than DEET.

Permethrin

Permethrin is an insecticide that can be used to treat clothing and gear to prevent mosquito bites. It is effective against mosquitoes, ticks, flies, lice, fleas, chiggers and midges (no-see-ums). Permethrin belongs to the family of pyrethroids, synthetic chemicals that act like natural extracts from chrysanthemum plants. It is safe for use and is often a component of repellent products sold by public health officials.

When sprayed on clothing, permethrin forms an invisible protective barrier that resists degradation by heat and sun, and remains effective through many washings. It is also odorless, nonstaining and highly resistant to water-based degradants. It is available as a concentrate for soak-treating large items, such as tents and mesh bednets, and as a spray for direct application to skin. Insect Shield, a company that produces insect-repellent clothing, has a process for treating shirts and pants with permethrin that tightly binds the chemical to fabric. The treated clothing will maintain its efficacy for up to 70 washes.

Using permethrin-treated clothing is a great option for hiking and camping. Studies of people wearing permethrin-treated shirts showed that they received fewer bites than those who wore untreated shirts. However, you should still apply DEET to the rest of your body to protect against mosquitoes that haven’t been repelled by permethrin. These include the Aedes mosquito and the Culex mosquito, both of which can carry disease-causing viruses.

Oil of lemon eucalyptus

Natural repellents, such as lemon eucalyptus oil and neem oil, can provide protection for hours. In fact, a study found that a mixture of 32 percent lemon eucalyptus oil provided more than 95 percent protection against mosquitoes for three hours. This is an effective alternative to DEET and picaridin.

Lemon eucalyptus oil is also useful for protecting against ticks. It contains para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), which works similarly to DEET in deterring tick attachment and preventing bites. PMD is derived from the eucalyptus tree and is extracted using steam distillation of leaves and twigs. In addition to being effective in preventing mosquitoes, PMD is also toxic to immature ticks called nymphs, which can transmit diseases like Lyme disease.

Eucalyptus oil can be used alone or mixed with other essential oils. It can be combined with cedar, geranium, lavender, spearmint, and rosemary. You can use this oil in a spray or in a diffuser to keep mosquitoes away from your skin. It is important to follow the instructions on the product label, and to reapply as needed.

When applying natural mosquito repellents, it is important to follow the product’s instructions. You should avoid using these products on cuts and irritated skin. In addition, you should apply the repellent to clothing, shoes, and tents. It is also recommended that you choose a natural product that does not contain DEET, picaridin, or permethrin.