Other Mosquito Prevention:
Products, Effectiveness, Latency
Q. What is an effective repellant?
Q. What harm is involved in using repellant with DEET?
Q. Can pregnant women use products with DEET?
Q. Can DEET be used on children?
Q. What is the shelf-life of insect repellent?
Q. Do mosquito magnets work?
What is an effective repellant?
The most effective repellants contain DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide). The more DEET a repellant contains, the longer it can protect you from mosquito bites.
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What harm is involved in using repellant with
DEET?
“DEET has a remarkable safety profile after 40 years of use and nearly 8 billion human applications. No correlation has been found between the concentration of DEET used and the risk of toxic effects. When applied with common sense,
DEET-based repellents can be expected to provide a safe as well as a long-lasting repellent effect.”
- New England Journal of Medicine, July 4, 2002, authored by Mark S. Fradin, M.D. and John F. Day
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Can pregnant women use products with DEET?
Yes, pregnant woman can use DEET products. If you are pregnant and have additional questions, you should consult with your OB/GYN.
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Can DEET be used on children?
DEET can be safely used to protect children over 2 months of age;
however, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that repellants
used on children contain no more than 30% DEET.
In addition, the AAP recommends that you apply DEET sparingly on exposed
skin, and do not use under clothing. Do not use DEET on the hands of young children; avoid applying to areas around the eyes and
mouth. Do not use DEET over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. Wash treated skin with soap and water after returning indoors; wash treated
clothing. Avoid spraying in enclosed areas; do not use DEET near food.
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What is the shelf life of insect repellent?
Most DEET-enhanced insect repellent products have a shelf life of two years. However, it is recommended to follow the
manufacturer's directions since effectiveness can depend on the product itself. The non-DEET repellent, Bite Blocker, has a shelf life of about one year.
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Do mosquito magnets work?
Mosquitoes are drawn to carbon dioxide when searching for food. The mosquito magnet releases carbon dioxide to attract mosquitoes where they are trapped.
In theory, this seems to be very reasonable; however, placing a mosquito magnet in your yard may attract mosquitoes away from your home, but at the same time attract mosquitoes from
neighboring properties. Eventually you are still likely to get bitten.
It is important to continue taking preventive measures and follow the 4 Ds,
even when using a mosquito magnet.
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