The Buzz-z-z on Mosquito Repellents

The skeeter-biters are back and they are plentiful.  

Recent rains have provided standing water and now the heat has come to create a perfect storm of swarming mosquitoes. 

So what are you going to do?  Drain standing water when ever possible.  Even small amounts like that of an empty flower pot can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. There are also products to destroy mosquito larvae before they become a biting insect.  If you have questions about this type of product call Four Corners.  “Repellents are also an important tool to assist people in protecting themselves from mosquito-borne diseases” said Lynda Zieg Four Corner’s Program Specialist.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the use of products containing active ingredients which have been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The following products provide repellent activity sufficient to help people avoid the bites of disease carrying mosquitoes. 

• DEET (Chemical name: N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide or N, N-diethyl-3-methyl-benzamide)
• Picaridin (KBGR 3023, Chemical Name: 2-hydroxyethyl)-1-peperidinecarboxylic acid 1-methylpropyl ester) applied to clothing not directly on the skin.
• Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or PMD (Chemical Name: para-Menthane-3,8-diol) the synthesized version of oil of lemon eucalyptus
• IR3535 (Chemical Name: 3-M-Butyl-N-acetyl-aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester)

EPA recommends the following precautions when using insect repellents:

• Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed on the product label.) Do not use repellents under clothing.
• Never us repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
• Do not apply to eyes or mouth, and apply sparingly around ears.   When using sprays, do not spray directly on face-spray on hands first and then apply to face.
• Do not allow children to handle the product.   When using on children, apply to your own hands first and then put it on the child.   You may not want to apply to children’s hands.
• Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing.  Heavy application and saturation are generally unnecessary for effectiveness.  If biting insects do not respond to a thin film of repellent, then apply a bit more.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water or bathe.   This is particularly important when repellents are used repeatedly in a day or on consecutive days.   Also, wash treated clothing before wearing it again. (This precaution may vary with different repellents – check the product label.)
• If you or your child gets a rash or other reaction from an insect repellent, stop using the repellent, wash the repellent off with mild soap and water.  If you make a trip to the doctor, take the repellant with you to show to the doctor.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that repellents should contain no more than 30% DEET when used on children.  Insect repellents containing DEET are not recommended for children younger than 2 months.

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Questions? Call Four Corners Health Department at 362-2621 or toll free 877-337-3573.

• If you or your child gets a rash or other reaction from an insect repellent, stop using the repellent, wash the repellent off with mild soap and water.  If you make a trip to the doctor, take the repellant with you to show to the doctor.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that repellents should contain no more than 30% DEET when used on children.  Insect repellents containing DEET are not recommended for children younger than 2 months.

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