Choosing an Insect Repellent

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Insect repellents come in many forms, including aerosols, sprays, liquids, creams, and sticks. Some are made from chemicals and some have natural ingredients.

Insect repellents prevent bites from biting insects but not stinging insects. Biting insects include mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, chiggers, and biting flies. Stinging insects include bees, hornets, and wasps.
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[av_row row_style=’avia-heading-row’][av_cell col_style=”]What’s Available
[/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]How Well It Works[/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]How Long it Protects[/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]Special Precautions

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[av_row row_style=”][av_cell col_style=”]Chemical repellents with DEET
(N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide)[/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]Considered the best defense against biting insects. [/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]About 2 to 5 hours depending on the concentration of DEET in the product.

[/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]Caution should be used when applying DEET to children.

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[av_row row_style=”][av_cell col_style=”]Picaridin[/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]In April 2005 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended other repellents that may work as well as DEET: repellents with picaridin and repellents with oil of lemon eucalyptus or 2% soybean oil. Currently these products have a duration of action that is comparable to that of about 10% DEET.[/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]About 3 to 8 hours depending on the concentration.[/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]Although these products are considered safe when used as recommended, long-term follow-up studies are not available. Also, more studies need to be done to see how well they repel ticks.

Allergic reactions are rare, but can occur when using repellents made from essential oils.[/av_cell][/av_row]
[av_row row_style=”][av_cell col_style=”]Repellents made from essential oils found in plants such as citronella, cedar, eucalyptus, and soybean[/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]In April 2005 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended other repellents that may work as well as DEET: repellents with picaridin and repellents with oil of lemon eucalyptus or 2% soybean oil. Currently these products have a duration of action that is comparable to that of about 10% DEET.[/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]Usually less than 2 hours.[/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]Although these products are considered safe when used as recommended, long-term follow-up studies are not available. Also, more studies need to be done to see how well they repel ticks.

Allergic reactions are rare, but can occur when using repellents made from essential oils.[/av_cell][/av_row]
[av_row row_style=”][av_cell col_style=”]Chemical repellents with permethrin [/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]These repellents kill ticks on contact.

[/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]When applied to clothing, it lasts even after several washings. [/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]Should only be applied to clothing, not directly to skin. May be applied to outdoor equipment such as sleeping bags or tents

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Read more about types of repellents and the dos and donts for children.
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