Alternatives to DEET
The Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) recommends the use of products containing active
ingredients registered with the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) for use as repellents applied to skin and
clothing.
EPA registration of
repellent active ingredients indicates the materials have been reviewed
and approved for efficacy and human safety when applied according to the
instructions on the label.
The DEET
alternatives listed below have been shown to have the same efficacy as a
low concentration of DEET, lasting about 90 minutes.
Please follow
the manufacturer's instructions provided on the product label.
-
Bite Blocker (key ingredient: soybean oil).
-
Picaridin,
found in Cutter Advanced. This product has not
yet been approved for children under 3.
Picaridin, also
known as KBR 3023, has been available for many years in Asia,
Australia, and Europe. It was recently approved for use in mosquito
sprays by the EPA and has been included in the list of repellent
recommendations by the CDC.
-
Oil of lemon
eucalyptus,
found in Repel Lemon Eucalyptus, OFF! Botanicals & Fight Bite Plant-Based
Insect Repellent. These products should not be used on children under
3. Repel is 30% eucalyptus oil. Pure eucalyptus oil should
never be applied to skin.
These products are sold at most major supermarkets and retailers
throughout
Boulder County.
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