Deet-free insect repellents
If you’re on the lookout for a deet-free repellent that actually repels, you’re in luck. At least, some luck. Consumer Reports recently tested a variety of repellents with and without deet. While we found that deet is the most effective ingredient, we also found at least one deet-free alternative, called picaridin, that is worth considering--plus a few you might want to skip.
HOW DEET-FREE REPELLENTS PERFORMED
Repellents with and without deet were tested against deer ticks—the type that can transmit lyme disease—and two types of mosquitoes: aedes, an aggressive species that can carry dengue fever, and culex, a calmer species that can carry West Nile virus. Here’s how the deet-free products performed:
Botanical repellents we tested include those that contain such ingredients as soybean oil, geranium oil, and oil of peppermint. All scored poorly. The best of the bunch was Bite Blocker Outdoor Extreme. It protected against culex mosquitoes and ticks for about 2 hours, but offered little protection against aedes mosquitoes.
Picaridin is a chemical repellent that’s considered as effective as deet at the same concentration by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When used properly, it’s also considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our tests found that Cutter Advanced Sport with 15 percent picaridin scored better than two repellents with 7 percent deet. It protected against both mosquito species for an average of almost 3 hours and against ticks for 11 to 12 hours.
Note that oil of lemon eucalyptus, a plant-based chemical repellent, is also considered by the CDC to be as effective against mosquitoes as deet at the same concentration. However, the agency also notes that oil of lemon eucalyptus product labels specifiy that they should not be used on children under three years old. While an oil of lemon eucalyptus repellent was tested in our latest report, the product is no longer available.
USING DEET SAFELY
If you choose to use deet-containing repellents, Consumer Reports has found that products containing at least 30 percent deet worked very well. The EPA considers deet-based products safe when used as directed. However, the chemical has been associated with possible adverse effects, including a rare risk of skin irritation, and, if misused, a remote risk of neurological side effects. Here’s some precautionary advice to keep in mind:
• Do not use deet on children under 2 months old.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that no more than a 30% deet concentration be used on infants and children.
• Do not apply to hands or near eyes and mouth of young children.
• Do not allow young children to apply the product themselves.
• Do not apply over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin or under clothing; do not spray directly onto face.
• Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing; avoid over-application.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water; wash treated clothing before wearing it again.
• Beware of sunscreen-deet combinations. Several combination products are currently available, but they should be used with caution. Because sunscreens are meant to be applied liberally and frequently while deet products should be used sparingly, combination products might promote unnecessarily high exposure to deet. Some research also suggests that certain sunscreen formulations can increase absorption of deet into the body.
Get more information on using deet products safely from the Environmental Protection Agency.
PREVENTING BITES
• The most effective way to avoid mosquito bites is to stay inside when the insects are active. For culex and most other mosquitoes, that means at dusk and throughout the evening.
• If you must go out then, wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much of your skin as comfort permits. Mosquitoes will bite right through tight-fitting fabrics.
• Avoid perfumes and aftershaves, which attract some mosquitoes.
• Wear a repellent only on exposed skin--ideally, one with protection lasting no longer than the time you’re going to be out.
• To deter ticks, tuck pants into socks, wear boots, and inspect yourself for ticks after outdoor activities.
RELATED LINKS:
Consumer Reports insect repellent ratings 6/08 (full report available to subscribers)
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