DEET
DEET (N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) is an ingredient to look for in your insect repellent.
Always apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing, but not under clothing. If additional protection is necessary, apply a permetrin repellent directly to your clothing. Again, always follow the manufacturer's directions.
Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective. These products are generally available at local pharmacies. Products with concentrations of up to 30 percent DEET are generally recommended.
In protecting children, read label instructions to be sure the repellent is age-appropriate. According the CDC, mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of 3 years. DEET is not recommended on children younger than 2 months old. Infants should be kept indoors or mosquito netting should be sued over carries when mosquitoes are present.
View a list of insect repellents and their effectiveness as compiled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Remember the 4 D's of West Nile Virus Prevention
- Dusk to Dawn
- Dress
- Drain
- DEET