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Mosquito Repellents for Adults

Mosquito Repellents for Adults: Which Repellent is Best?

The best way to avoid mosquitoes is to stay indoors after dusk and to stay away from wet places where mosquitoes thrive. Of course, in the summer you WANT to be outside, often at the peak mosquito hours.

Because West Nile virus is here to stay, it's essential that you do all that you can to prevent being bit by a West Nile virus-infected mosquito as you enjoy your summer activities. When you are outside, choose a repellent that best fits your needs for that situation. Mosquito repellents are not all the same. Some brands have different ingredients than others. A repellent made for adults may not be the right choice for kids, or one repellent may only offer a half hour of protection while another gives five hours of protection.

When you are choosing a repellent, look for one that has been approved by the CDC. These have been shown to be effective in repelling the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus. Also, ask yourself the following questions so you know what is right for you:

How long will it work? - You do not need a repellent that is good for six hours if you're only going to be outside for 20 minutes.
What is the active ingredient? - If you'd rather not use a chemical repellent, you may be able to find a natural repellent that will work for you.
Where and when am I using it? - You might not need the strongest of repellents early in the day when there aren't many mosquitoes around looking for a blood meal.
Who will be using it? You? Your baby? Your eight year old child?

Cautions

Apply repellent only to exposed skin, never under clothing.
Never use repellent over cuts or irritated skin.
Do not apply to eyes and mouth.
Never let children handle repellents.
Do not spray in an enclosed area.
When you come back inside, wash the repellent off thoroughly.
Always follow directions listed on the label.
Don't over-apply repellent!. Use only what you need and what is recommended on the label.
Do not use a repellent that is combined with sunscreen. The sunscreen will need to be reapplied more often than the repellent so you might end up using too much repellent Always read the label.

The chart below contains examples of adult repellents and can help you decide which repellent is best for you.

Name of Repellent:	Ingredient:	Protection Time:
Off! Deep Woods	DEET 25%	up to 8 hours
Cutter Outdoorsman	DEET 23%	up to 8 hours
Avon Skin-so-Soft Bug Guard Plus (2008)	Picaridin 10%	6-8 hours
Repel Lemon Eucalyptus (do not use for children under 3)	Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus	up to 6 hours
Cutter Advanced	Picaridin 7%	up to 4 hours
OFF! Skintastic Clean Feel	Picaridin 5%	3 - 4 hours
OFF! Skintastic Family Care	DEET 5% - 15%	3 - 6 hours
Herbal Armor	Citronella, Peppermint Oil, Cedar Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Geranium Oil	19 minutes
Green Ban for People	Citronella, Peppermint Oil	14 minutes
Buzz Away	Citronella Oil	10 minutes

Products containing DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and picaridin and IR3535 are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Products containing citronella oil have met applicable standards of the EPA.

For more detailed information on repellents, visit the following websites:

Fight the Bite Colorado
How to use Insect Repellents Safely (Environmental Protection Agency)