DEET is one of the most common ingredients in insect repellents. DEET is absorbed through the skin. In high concentrations, DEET can have harmful side effects. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using repellents with no more than 6 to 10% DEET on children. For adults select repellents with no more than 30% DEET. Use DEET with caution. Always read the label before using any insect repellent.

The effectiveness of both insect repellents and sunscreens are dramatically reduced when users apply them at the same time. Decide which is your top priority at the moment-protection from insects or from the sun-then apply either a repellent or sunscreen, plus use other measures to reduce insect and sun exposure. Some manufacturers produce a specially formulated product that combines both DEET-based insect repellent and sunscreen.

DEET-based repellents are available at grocery stores, pharmacies, sporting goods stores, home improvement centers, and other retail outlets.

Insect repellents can help reduce exposure to mosquito bites that may carry viruses such as West Nile virus that can cause serious illness and even death. Using insect repellent allows you to continue to play and work outdoors with a reduced risk of mosquito bites.

It’s advised that you take a good insect repellent for the evenings. While mosquitoes are not generally a problem, you may get a few sand flea bites should you be on the beach at night. You should ABSOLUTELY take a good sunscreen. The sun in Jamaica is NOT what we are used to in the States.

If you do not want to use a product containing DEET, or if your physician advises you to avoid DEET, there are other products that give you limited protection. These repellents generally use plant-based oils to repel insects. In comparison to DEET based products, plant oil-based repellents are generally effective for a shorter time (usually less than about two hours). Note: Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices and incense have not been shown to be effective in preventing mosquito bites.

For casual use by most people, a high concentration of DEET is not needed. Products with 25 percent to 35 percent DEET will provide adequate protection for adults under most conditions; use lower concentrations for children. To make sure you will not react to the repellent, apply the product to a small area of skin on your arm or leg before general use. After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water. Wash treated clothing before wearing again.

Yes. Insect repellents help people reduce their exposure to mosquito bites that may carry potentially serious viruses such as West Nile virus, and allow them to continue to play and work outdoors. There are no reported adverse events following use of repellents containing DEET in pregnant or breast-feeding women. Click here for more information about using repellents safely.

DEET is very stable and therefore the federal government does not require an expiration date. Call the manufacturer for specifics on your product. DEET-based products have been subjected to rigorous scientific scrutiny over many years. These tests have continued to confirm that consumers can use these products with confidence, according to product labeling directions for ALL family members. Additionally, tests confirm that DEET does not cause cancer, birth defects, or genetic changes.

CDC recommends products containing active ingredients which have been registered with US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as insect repellents on skin or clothing. All of the EPA-registered active ingredients have demonstrated repellency however some provide more longerlasting protection than others.

DEET-based repellents, which are recommended for humans, are not approved for veterinary use (largely because animals tend to ingest them by licking.) Call your local vector control and ask for suggestions on preventing mosquitoes in your area. There are topical applications available for pets that have proven to prevent mosquito bites. Please call for more information on prevention of West Nile Virus in your dog and cat.

Repellent products must state any age restriction. If there is none, EPA has not required a restriction on the use of the product. According to the label, oil of lemon eucalyptus products should not be used on Children under 3 years. Since it is the most widely available repellent, many people ask about the use of products containing DEET on children. No definitive studies exist in the scientific literature about what concentration of DEET is safe for children.

No definitive studies exist in the scientific literature about what concentration of DEET is safe for children. No serious illness has arisen from use of DEET when used according the manufacturer's recommendations. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that a cautious approach is to use products with a low concentration of DEET, 10% or less, on children aged 2 - 12. Most guidelines cite that it is acceptable to use repellents containing DEET on children over 2 years of age.

DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is the active ingredient in most insect repellents available in the United States that are applied to the skin. DEET was developed more than 50 years ago by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for use by our military. It was registered for use by the general public in 1957.

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 apply repellent under clothing. If repellent is applied to clothing, wash treated clothing before wearing again. (May vary by product, check label for specific instructions.)

It's important to protect yourself against mosquito bites to prevent West Nile Virsus Infection. Using mosquito repellent during pregnancy is a question that brings up many issues. The Pregnancy RiskLine can fully answer questions about this further.

EG Repellent does not contain DEET as it has documented hazards involved with its use. Some manufacturers eager to distinguish their products, raise DEET concentration to some dangerous levels, as high as 50% to 85%. At these levels it is not only hazardous but also very unpleasant to use.

DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) is the most effective and best-studied insect repellent available (Fradin MS, Day JF. Comparative efficacy of insect repellents against mosquito bites. N Engl J Med. 2002;347(1):13-8). The more DEET a repellent contains, the longer it can protect you. A higher percentage of DEET does not mean it will protect you better, just that it will last longer. However, DEET concentrations higher than 50% do not increase the length of protection.

Yes. Insect repellents help people reduce their exposure to mosquito bites that may carry potentially serious viruses such as West Nile virus, and allow them to continue to play and work outdoors. In pregnant or breastfeeding women, there are no reported adverse events following use of repellents containing DEET or picaridin. Click here for more information about using repellents safely.

Yes, you need both. We advise putting insect repellent on even when you don’t see or feel the bugs. You’ll often be under the protection of the canopy, but nevertheless, you should wear sunscreen, especially for canoe rides.

The most effective repellents contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) as an active ingredient. DEET has a long history of effectiveness and safety when used according to directions. A new repellent is now available in the U.S. containing 7% and 15% concentrations of picaridin (KBR 3023) as an active ingredient, which may be used if a DEET-containing repellent is not acceptable to the user. Because the percentage of picaridin is low, this repellent needs more frequent application.

There are mosquitoes in the summer months in the greek islands, and Zakynthos is no exception. I advise you to bring repellent if mosquitoes bother you. You can also purchase repellent at the local village, and of course there are other candle burners and mosquito wall plugs, plus other deadly mosquito tips the locals provide you with to help keep the mosquitoes away.