In 1997, the Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of Cornell University stated that " Everglades National Park employees having extensive DEET exposure were more likely to have insomnia, mood disturbances and impaired cognitive function than lesser exposed co-workers". [21] So what about my stash of 100 percent DEET? I trashed it. But probably not for the reason you’d expect. Not only can the itching drive you crazy and leave you covered in nasty, red-coloured bumps, but mosquito bites can come with more serious risks too. For instance, in tropical parts of the world, mosquitoes can carry diseases such as dengue, West Nile virus, malaria and yellow fever. In such cases, you’ll want to avoid mosquitoes at all costs. Since there are still some reasons to have concerns about using DEET, EWG also recommends several good alternatives: Picardin, IR 3535 and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.

There are some products that heat up and release synthetic pyrethroids, which work in calm weather. But the elements can also render these products useless. These pyrethroids are also harmful to aquatic species, so you shouldn’t use them if you live near a stream or lake. The main downside, as you’ll notice from the photo, is that the unit has a two-pin plug, as it’s primarily designed for Europe and other holiday destinations. So to use it in the UK, you’ll need a 2-pin plug adapter. And while prallethrin is safe for pets and kids, the makers advise that pregnant women should steer clear. Kitchen, Lynn W.; Lawrence, Kendra L.; Coleman, Russell E. (2009-07-10). "The role of the United States military in the development of vector control products, including insect repellents, insecticides, and bed nets". Journal of Vector Ecology. 34 (1): 50–61. doi: 10.1111/j.1948-7134.2009.00007.x. PMID 20836805. A 2008 study found that higher concentrations of DEET have an improved ability to repel insects through fabric. [16] Contraindications [ edit ]It was this question that first triggered widespread deet-aversion among consumers. Between the early 1980s and late 1990s, 14 cases of potentially deet-related encephalopathy (brain damage) were reported in the medical literature, all but one of them in children who were 8 or younger. Three of those children died; the remaining 11 recovered fully.

Limited data indicates that combining insect repellents with DEET and sunscreen decreases the sun protection factor of the sunscreen by about a third. [4] Unlike icaridin, the combination also increases the absorption of both significantly. [5] When the two need to be used together, the repellent should be applied after the sunscreen has been absorbed, about 30 or more minutes later. [29] Mathai AT, Pillai KS, Deshmukh PB (1989). "Acute toxicity of deet to a freshwater fish, Tilapia mossambica: Effect on tissue glutathione levels". Journal of Environmental Biology. 10 (2): 87–91. Archived from the original on 2007-11-07. Tenenbein M (September 1987). "Severe toxic reactions and death following the ingestion of diethyltoluamide-containing insect repellents". JAMA. 258 (11): 1509–11. doi: 10.1001/jama.258.11.1509. PMID 3625951. Chemists know it as N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, and it’s a compound that was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946 and then registered for use for the general public in 1957.

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Mosquitoes are attracted to the “bouquet” of scents on your skin, according to Conor McMeniman, an entomologist and infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins University. Pavia DL (2004). Introduction to organic laboratory techniques ( Google Books excerpt). Cengage Learning. pp.370–376. ISBN 978-0-534-40833-6. Ditzen M, Pellegrino M, Vosshall LB (2008). "Insect odorant receptors are molecular targets of the insect repellent DEET". Science. 319 (5871): 1838–42. Bibcode: 2008Sci...319.1838D. doi: 10.1126/science.1153121. PMID 18339904. S2CID 18499590. {{ cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( link) One thing most experts agree on is that citronella candles aren’t effective. Studies showed citronella candles and incense only decreased the chance of a bite by about 20 to 40 percent (DEET decreases these chances by more than 95 percent). Wind can also disperse or douse the candle’s flame, meaning mosquitos will come find you anyway, Markowski explains.

What’s the one thing that’s most likely to spoil a sunny holiday above anything else? Mosquito bites. So, it’s a good idea to equip yourself with the best mosquito repellent before jetting off. DEET is often sold and used in spray or lotion in concentrations up to 100%. [13] Consumer Reports found a direct correlation between DEET concentration and hours of protection against insect bites. 100% DEET was found to offer up to 12 hours of protection while several lower concentration DEET formulations (20–34%) offered 3–6 hours of protection. [ citation needed] Other research has corroborated the effectiveness of DEET. [14] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 30–50% DEET to prevent the spread of pathogens carried by insects. [15] a b Rodriguez J, Maibach HI (2016-01-02). "Percutaneous penetration and pharmacodynamics: Wash-in and wash-off of sunscreen and insect repellent". Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 27 (1): 11–18. doi: 10.3109/09546634.2015.1050350. ISSN 0954-6634. DEET is biodegraded by fungi into products less toxic to zooplankton. [36] It degrades well under aerobic conditions, but poorly and slowly under anaerobic conditions. [39] Mechanism of action [ edit ]Fradin MS, Day JF (July 2002). "Comparative efficacy of insect repellents against mosquito bites". The New England Journal of Medicine. 347 (1): 13–8. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa011699. PMID 12097535. The natural pyrethroids act as a bite inhibitor (that is what the + sign means), discouraging actual biting. Each application of Expedition 100+ will last for over 10 hours. Re-application may be required in areas with high temperature and humidity. As with all insect repellents, the key to using deet-based products safely is to follow product instructions and take basic precautions.