There’s a variety of mosquito repellents out there — those with essential oils, like citronella, or plant-based repellents, like oil of lemon eucalyptus. But most repellents on the market contain DEET or picaridin as the active ingredient. So, which to buy? Our guide may help you decide which one is right for you and your family.
What is Picaridin?
Picaridin (1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-methylpropylester) is a relative newcomer. This synthetic-compound insect repellent is based on piperine, an extract from the plant that produces black pepper. It’s effective against mosquitoes, biting flies, ticks, fleas, and chiggers. The World Health Organization refers to it as icaridin.
Picaridin was developed by Bayer in the 1980s and has been sold in Europe and Australia since 1998. In 2001, it was registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, it wasn’t until 2005 that picaridin-based products were sold in the United States.
What is DEET?
DEET (N, N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) is the most common ingredient in insect repellents and protects against bites from mosquitoes, biting flies, fleas, ticks, and small flying insects. It has a long track record: It was developed for the U.S. Army in 1946 to protect soldiers in insect-infested areas. It was registered for U.S. consumer use in 1957.
What Forms Do DEET and Picaridin Come In?
Both DEET and Picaridin products can be found in a variety of forms, so choose the type that works best for your budget and is most convenient for your family:
- Pump sprays
- Aerosol sprays
- Creams and lotions
- Roll-ons
- Wipes
How Do Picaridin and DEET Repel Mosquitoes?
Studies suggest that both picaridin and DEET make it hard for mosquitoes to find you. Mosquitoes hone in on the scents that we humans give off, and the chemicals in both these repellents make it hard for the little vampires to smell us. Picaridin also creates a vapor barrier on the skin that may discourage mosquitoes from landing.
Are Picaridin and DEET Effective?
Studies indicate that both picaridin and DEET are effective insect repellents. But how well and how long will you be protected? According to various studies, the hours of protection you get may depend on the concentration of DEET or picaridin, the product, or even the type of mosquito you’re trying to fend off.
Generally, EPA registration data indicates that a 20% concentration of picaridin is effective against mosquitoes for 8 to 14 hours. The 10% concentration is effective for 3½ to 8 hours. For DEET, the EPA says its database indicates that it repels mosquitoes for 2 to 12 hours, depending on the concentration.
How to know for sure: Read product labels, and match protection times to your family’s needs. To make it easier, the EPA allows manufacturers to include a repellency awareness graphic on the labels of skin-applied insect repellents. Use of the graphic is voluntary, however.
Are There Health Risks to Using DEET or Picaridin?
The EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that both repellents are safe when used properly. However, some side effects have been reported:
DEET: According to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), if DEET gets into your eyes, it can cause irritation and pain. Leaving it on your skin for too long can cause irritation, rashes, and swelling. Ingesting it can cause vomiting and nausea, and some cases of seizures have been reported.
Picaridin: Eye and skin irritation have been reported with the use of products with picaridin. (A study done in Cambodia also cited headaches and itching.)
Harvard University’s medical school says that generally, it’s not a good idea to ingest any type of insect repellent. (So if you apply it, keep your hands away from your mouth, and wash them before eating.) And once your adventure is over, make sure to wash the repellent off your skin to avoid irritation.
Is Picaridin Safer Than DEET?
In 1998, the EPA conducted an assessment of DEET, citing 46 seizures and four deaths that could be related to DEET exposure. Most incidents were linked to misuse of the product, according to the EPA. A 2003 article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal said that most data on toxic effects centered on ingesting DEET.
Some health concerns about DEET center around older research citing cases of possible DEET-related encephalopathy in children. However, a study of 20,764 DEET exposures reported to poison control centers found that infants and children suffered fewer adverse effects than teens and adults.
So far, studies seem to indicate that picaridin insect repellents have low toxicity. A 2016 study of picaridin exposures reported to the National Poison Data System cited no issues of major injury or deaths. It is important to note that picaridin is a relative newcomer to the market, and thus has not been studied as extensively as DEET.
Choosing the Mosquito Repellent That’s Right for You
If you’ve narrowed your choices to products with picaridin or DEET, your next step is to decide on the best mosquito repellent for your family. You’ll want to keep your budget in mind, but most of your decision may come down to personal preference. So, know that:
Both products are EPA-registered skin-applied insect repellents. However, DEET is considered the gold standard of bug repellents.
Both can be applied to exposed skin and clothes. (Two exceptions: Don’t use DEET on synthetic fabrics, and don’t use them under clothing.)
Both can be purchased in various types of products.
DEET can dissolve certain plastics (think sunglasses and plastic lenses) and vinyl; picaridin is safe to use around plastics.
DEET can feel greasy or sticky when applied; picaridin feels less sticky.
DEET has a distinctive odor; picaridin is odorless.
Lastly, before you put in that curbside pickup order, consider a couple of questions:
Where do you go? The backyard? Concert at the local park? Will you be near standing water? (Mosquitoes lay eggs in water). Do you hike in areas where you may be exposed to ticks? For light-duty use, either repellent is effective. But in areas with many mosquitos and/or ticks, consider products with a higher concentration of repellent.
Are you at risk from mosquito-borne diseases? Mosquitoes carry several illnesses, including malaria, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. If there is an alert in your area, or you’re going somewhere that’s had an outbreak of mosquito-borne disease, consider a high-concentration DEET product, and take other precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
FAQ
Products that contain DEET are safe to use for children older than 2 months. While picaridin hasn’t been around as long, experts consider it to be safe for children. The CDC and the University of Michigan offer these suggestions for using any type of insect repellent on children:
• Don’t use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months.
• Choose a repellent that has no more than 30% concentration of DEET.
• Put repellent on your hands, then apply it to the child’s face; don’t apply near the eyes or mouth.
• Don’t apply repellent to children’s hands or fingers.
• Only use DEET-containing products once a day.
• For very young babies, consider draping mosquito netting over a stroller.
The ASPCA says that DEET is toxic for dogs and cats. Don’t use DEET products on pets (and keep containers out of reach). Also, don’t wear DEET mosquito repellents if your pet is inclined to lick you. If you do apply a DEET product to yourself, be sure to wash your hands before you pet Bowser or Bella.
Some signs of exposure:
• Eye damage (if the pet is sprayed in the face)
• Airway inflammation or labored breathing
• Disorientation, tremors, and seizures (with ingestion)
Currently, no picaridin-based products are licensed for dogs or cats. While the EPA reports that picaridin has low toxicity to animals, there’s little-to-no published information about its effect on dogs and cats. Most veterinary sites strongly caution against using any human insect repellent on pets. Ask your vet about cat- or dog-friendly mosquito repellents.
Yes, but not at the same time. Studies have found that combining sunscreen with DEET can decrease the effectiveness of sunscreen. Using them together also can increase the absorption of both chemicals into the skin. Using sunscreen together with picaridin leads to less absorption of both products.
The safest way to use sunscreen and insect repellent is to use them separately, according to the CDC. Apply sunscreen first, then repellent. (It’s suggested to let sunscreen dry for 20-30 minutes before you apply repellent.)
When to Call in a Professional
If you have problems getting mosquitoes under control, Pest Gnome can connect you to the best pest control experts in your area. A local pro has the tools and methods to rid your home and property of mosquitoes so you and your family can enjoy your time outside.
Main Image Credit: Fairfax County / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
