Insect repellents help people reduce their exposure to mosquito bites that may carry potential serious viruses such as West Nile Virus.

Insect repellents containing DEET are the most effective mosquito repellents available. Products vary in their concentration of DEET from below 10% to above 30%. Products with concentrations around 10% are effective for periods of approximately two hours. As the concentrations of DEET increases, the duration of activity increases; for example 24% has been shown to provide an average of 5 hours of protection.

For safety, select the lowest concentration effective for the amount of time spent outdoors. It is generally agreed that DEET should not be applied more than once a day.

The active ingredient in insect repellents containing DEET is N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, also known as N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide.

ALWAYS USE INSECT REPELLENTS ACCORDING TO THE LABEL DIRECTIONS.

DEET should not be used in a product in combination with a sunscreen, because sunscreen should be applied several times during the day and DEET is generally recommended to be applied only once a day. Be sure to follow label directions for the product you are using.

Apply DEET sparingly on exposed skin; do not use under clothing.

Do not use DEET on the hands of young children; avoid applying to areas around the eyes and mouth.

Do not use DEET over cuts, wounds or irritated skin. Wash treated skin with soap and water after returning indoors; wash treated clothing.

Avoid spraying in enclosed areas; do not use DEET near food or drink.

DEET can also be applied to clothing to avoid application to the skin altogether.

DEET repels insects, it does not kill them. If you are aware of mosquitoes around you and they are not biting you, the repellent is still working and you do not need to reapply the repellent.

After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.

Do not apply aerosol or pump products directly to your face. Spray your hands and then rub them carefully over the face avoiding eyes and mouth.

Insect Repellents and Children:

The American Academy of Pediatrics has suggested a cautious approach is to use products with a low concentration of DEET, 10% or less, on children. CDC also reports that, most guidelines cite that it is acceptable to use repellents containing DEET on children over 2 years of age; but, that other experts suggest that it is acceptable to apply repellent with low concentrations of DEET to infants over 2 months.

When using repellent on a child, apply it to your own hands and then rub them on your child. Avoid children’s eyes and mouth and use it sparingly around their ears.

Do not allow young children to apply insect repellent to themselves, have an adult do it for them. Keep repellents out of the reach of children

Repellent products that do not contain DEET are not likely to offer the same degree of protection from mosquito bites as products containing DEET.

Use of insect repellents may cause skin reactions in rare cases. Cases of serious reactions to products containing DEET have been related to misuse of the product, such as swallowing, using over broken skin, and using for multiple days without washing skin in between use. Always follow the instructions on the product label. If you suspect a reaction to these products, discontinue use and wash the treated skin and hands.