People who work or play outdoors are often attacked by numerous species of insects, ticks and mites. Mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, fleas, biting flies and gnats are just some of the creatures that irritate and annoy people and disrupt their normal activities. These creatures are not just nuisances.
Some may inflict painful bites, cause rashes or lesions, or, in some cases, transmit important diseases.
Protect Yourself
One way in which you might protect yourself is by staying inside during times of peak insect activity. For example, most mosquitoes are often more active during the early morning or late evening. Some horse flies are more active during the bright, sunny hours of the day.
Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts will protect you somewhat from insects by reducing the exposed areas of the body. Illinois' hot, humid summers can make outdoor conditions unbearable, however, if you dress too warmly.
If you choose or are required to be outside when insects are active, use a repellent. Repellents are chemical substances that protect people from insect attack by making the body unattractive or offensive to insects. A repellent does not have to kill insects to be effective, although it may. Repellents are usually synthesized chemicals, although some are natural, botanical products.
Commercial repellents come in a variety of forms such as sprays, liquids, creams, lotions, sticks, wristbands and premoistened towelettes.
Some repellents are applied to exposed skin areas, and others only to clothing.
Never use pet flea and tick collars as repellent bands around the wrist and ankles or in any other manner. The products contain chemicals that can be toxic or result in serious skin reactions.
Repellents registered with the EPA for application to the skin:
- DEET. DEET is an abbreviated name for diethyltoluamide. It has been registered for use by the general public since 1957. It is the standard by which all other repellents are compared. DEET is available in formulations ranging from 5% to 100%, with the higher concentrations giving longer-lasting control. Concentrations in the range of 10% to 35% are normally adequate for casual use, but 10%-15% concentrations are normally recommended for children. DEET is a highly effective repellent for most insects, but the residual effectiveness will vary with the formulation and the concentration, as well as the insect pest. Nevertheless, several hours of protection can be expected in most situations.
Special extended, controlled release formulations can provide from 6 to 12 hours of protection. It should be noted that high temperatures and high humidity, as experienced in Illinois, tend to reduce the length of effectiveness. Some of the commercial repellents that contain DEET include OFF, Sawyer, Cutter, Repel and Ben's Wilderness. Each major brand may have several formulations.
Commercial products usually do not say "DEET" on the label. Instead they list the chemical name, "N,N-diethyl-metatoluamide," under the active ingredients.
- Citronella. This plant extract serves as a natural or herbal repellent. Citronella products usually provide moderate protection. They can be effective, but most studies show that they provide shorter complete protection time than DEET. Effective repellency for one or two hours is probably a reasonable expectation for a citronella product.
Citronella products provide a safe alternative to people who may be allergic to DEET or to those who prefer natural, organic repellents. Numerous commercial repellents contain citronella as the active ingredient.
- Bite Blocker. This plant-based repellent uses soybean oil as one of the active ingredients. The product is relatively new in the United States, but the limited research available indicates that it is effective, at least on mosquitoes.
- Picaridin. Also known as KBR 3023 and IR3535, picaridin has been shown to be as effective and long-lasting as DEET on some species of mosquitoes. It has the advantage of being odorless and not forming a filmy layer on the skin. It has been used in other parts of the world for several years, and is available in the U.S. as Cutter Advanced and Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535. Research reported by University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences on May 24, 2004 indicated that Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus with 7.5% picaridin provided only 23 minutes of repellency. The manufacturer sells Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Expedition and claims 8 hours of protection; it does not state how long mosquitoes are repelled with Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Insect Repellent Spray which also contains sunscreen.
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus. This is another plant-based repellent , p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD), that has been found to be as effective as lower concentrations of DEET against U.S. mosquitoes, about 2 hours. It has been used internationally against mosquitoes that spread malaria. It is available in the U.S. as Repel Lemon Eucalyptus.
In recent years regular Avon Skin-So-Soft lotion has been a popular "folk medicine" for insect repellency. Although this product does have some repellent activity, laboratory studies have shown that the residual protection is short-lived.
General Precautions for Repellents Applied to the Skin
- Always read and follow the label directions. The label is the law.
- Do not apply to the eyes or mouth.
- Do not apply to cuts, wounds, abrasions and sunburned or irritated skin. " Do not apply to infants.
- Do not apply to the hands of young children, because they will often rub their eyes and put their fingers in their mouths.
- Apply only to the exposed skin surfaces, and apply only enough to cover the skin with a light layer. Do not apply under clothing.
- Frequent application and saturated use are not necessary for effectiveness. Reapply when the presence of insects indicates the need for additional protection.
Special Precautions for the Use of DEET
- Always read and follow the label directions. The label is the law.
- DEET has been used safely by millions of people since its introduction, and most problems have resulted from improper use as described above. There have been, however, a few cases of suspected reaction to this chemical. Individual sensitivity varies, and anyone who suspects a reaction to DEET should consult a physician.
- People should be aware that applying DEET, together with a sunscreen product, will reduce the sun protection factor of the sunscreen. However, products formulated with both DEET and a sunscreen can guarantee the sun protection factor of the total product. One such commercial product is OFF Skintastic.
- DEET can damage plastics, rayon, spandex, other synthetic fibers and leather. Avoid these materials when applying the repellent.
Repellents registered with EPA for application to clothing:
- Permethrin. This chemical can be applied to outer clothing, shoes, camping gear, etc., but permethrin repellents CANNOT be applied to the skin. Also, do not apply permethrin to underwear and T-shirts.
Permethrin is actually an insecticide that kills and/or repels insects, ticks and mites. The material has rapid "knock-down" activity, but it has low mammalian toxicity and is poorly absorbed by human skin. Permethrin also has good residual effectiveness and has been reported to provide protection for up to two weeks in clothing. Commercial formulations of permethrin that can be used in this manner include Permanone, Permethrin Tick Repellent, Duranon and Cutter Outdoorsman Gear Guard. Carefully follow label instructions when applying these products to clothing.
- DEET. Some DEET products can be applied to clothing and camping gear. DEET does not damage natural fibers, such as wool and cotton, and it is also safe on nylon. However, DEET can damage other fabrics as listed in "Special Precautions for the Use of DEET."
The use of a good skin repellent, such as DEET, and a permethrin clothing repellent may be necessary in situations where people are exposed to intense insect pressure for an extended period.
This fact sheet contains some information originally created by LSU AgCenter.
Additional information provided by:
David Robson, Extension Educator, Horticulture, Springfield Center
Rhonda Ferree, Unit Leader, Fulton County
Dr. Phil Nixon, Extension Entomologist |
