This guide compares mosquito repellent options and provides safety recommendations. Key considerations include:

General Safety Tips

  • Follow product labels strictly to avoid overuse.
  • Avoid applying sunscreen over repellent, as this increases chemical absorption.
  • Apply repellent only to exposed skin (avoid face, hands, and mucous membranes). Wash treated skin after returning indoors.
  • Children are more vulnerable to toxicity; avoid letting them apply repellent themselves.
  • DEET concentrations above 30% are not recommended for children or infants under 2 months.

Repellent Options

  1. DEET:
  2. Effective for 2-12 hours depending on concentration (30% is optimal).
  3. Avoid concentrations over 30% for children.

  4. Damages synthetic fabrics (use cotton, wool, or nylon).

  5. Picaridin:

  6. Similar effectiveness to DEET with fewer long-term studies.

  7. Safer for children than DEET but same application precautions apply.

  8. Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus:

  9. Effective for ~2 hours.

  10. Not recommended for children under 3 or pregnant/nursing individuals.

  11. IR3535:

  12. Available in 7.5-20% concentrations.

  13. Safe for use during pregnancy when applied as directed.

  14. Permethrin:

  15. Apply to clothing only (not skin).
  16. Effective for 6-60 washes depending on application method.

Additional Notes

  • Natural alternatives (soybean oil, citronella) may offer limited protection (<1 hour).
  • Clothing barriers (long sleeves, socks, hats) should be used with repellents.
  • Choose products based on local mosquito-borne disease risks and personal sensitivity.
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