Mosquito repellent is important to avoid dangerous diseases like West Nile virus and malaria. DEET is the most effective repellent, but alternatives like picaridin are safe for children. Natural repellents like lemon oil and citronella are less effective. Avoid peak mosquito hours if using a milder repellent.
Mosquito repellent is important because mosquitoes can carry so many dangerous diseases. Things like West Nile virus and malaria are transmitted via mosquitoes, and most doctors recommend doing everything you can to avoid getting these conditions by keeping mosquitoes away. There have been numerous reviews of the types of repellents that work best, and experts usually conclude that the most effective mosquito repellent is one that contains DEET.
DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is not only useful for repelling mosquitoes, but also for keeping away other insects such as ticks that can carry Lyme disease. It confuses most insects by masking the carbon dioxide odor that the body naturally emits, attracting insects. DEET must be used correctly and in appropriate concentrations. A higher level of concentration tends to result in a longer lasting insect repellent.
For people who can’t or have chosen not to use DEET, there are some alternative mosquito repellent ingredients. They have some effectiveness, but are not yet as effective as DEET. However, some are safe enough to use on younger children. One of them is piperidine or picaridin. The US Centers for Disease Control lists this substance as a viable alternative to DEET.
Picaridin is derived from pepper and has been approved for use in the United States since 2005. It is available in some versions of Avon® Skin So Soft lotions and also sold as Cutter Advanced Insect Repellent. While this repellent isn’t as effective as DEET, it can be used on babies two months old or older and has an odor that many people find pleasant or at least less unpleasant than DEET. Some claim that picaridin is as effective as DEET, but these claims are difficult to prove because both chemicals can be used at different levels of concentration.
Other mosquito repellent formulations that continue to rank below DEET include things like lemon oil, citronella and eucalyptus. While these may have some effectiveness, they are still not the best. Some people, however, prefer to use more naturally-derived substances or can’t use DEET as a mosquito repellent due to skin irritation or its potential to damage things like plastic.
If you need to use a milder repellent than DEET, you may want to avoid times when mosquitoes are usually most active. Typically in the hours before and after sunrise and sunset, you’ll find the most mosquitoes. However, in some climates, especially humid or tropical ones, and in some areas near water, you may also find many mosquitoes at other times of the day.
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