Questions about DEET

Published: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at 8:34 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at 9:10 a.m.

A lot of consumers have questions about repellents that contain the chemical known as DEET. Here's what the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has to say:

Q. Is DEET safe?

Yes. DEET has been tested extensively for both short-term and long-term health effects, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has declared it safe.

Q. Can I use an insect repellent containing DEET and sunscreen at the same time?

You can and should use both sunscreen and insect repellent when outdoors. Apply the sunscreen first, followed by the insect repellent. You can also apply insect repellent to your clothing, because, unlike sunscreen, it doesn't have to be applied directly to the skin to work.

Q.Should I use a combination sunscreen/DEET-based insect repellent?

The instructions for safe use of DEET-based insect repellents and safe use of sunscreen are different, so the CDC does not recommend using products that combine DEET with sunscreen. Sunscreen often requires reapplication; DEET does not need to be reapplied as frequently.

Q.When should I use mosquito repellent?

The safest decision is to apply repellent whenever you are going to be outdoors. Most mosquitoes are likely to bite at dusk and dawn, but there are also mosquitoes that bite during the day.

Q. How often should repellent be reapplied?

Sweating or getting wet in general may result in a need to re-apply repellent more frequently. If you are not being bitten, it is not necessary to reapply repellent. Always follow the directions of the specific product you are using.

Q. How does mosquito repellent work?

Mosquitoes are attracted to people by skin odors and carbon dioxide from our breath. Repellents make the person unattractive for feeding. DEET does not kill mosquitoes; it just makes them unable to locate us.

Q. Which mosquito repellent works the best?

The most effective repellents contain DEET. The more DEET a repellent contains, the longer the time it protects from mosquito bites. A higher percentage of DEET in a repellent does not make the protection better -- it just lasts longer. Choose a repellent that provides protection for the amount of time you will be outdoors.

Q. Are non-DEET repellents at all effective?

There are non-DEET repellents that provide some protection from mosquito bites when applied directly to the skin. Studies have suggested that these products do not offer the same level of protection -- or protection that lasts as long -- as products containing DEET. Soybean-oil-based products have been shown to provide protection for a period of time similar to a product with a low concentration of DEET.

Q. How can products containing DEET be used safely on children?

  • Do not allow young children to apply insect repellent to themselves; have an adult do it for them. Keep repellents out of reach of children.
  • 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 to children's hands, as children tend to put their hands in their mouths.
  • Do not apply repellent to skin under clothing. If repellent is applied to clothing, wash treated clothing before wearing again.


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