Mosquito Repellant
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PICK THE RIGHT ONE FOR YOU
Updated December 2023
Mosquitos are a nuisance whether you are at home or abroad. The biting ,the itching, the scratching – it is no fun! On top of that, there is the added risk of mosquito-borne diseases when you are traveling abroad, such as yellow fever, dengue, malaria and more.
Read on to learn about what to look for in a mosquito repellant, how to use it and which ones are our favorite.
Please note, this post contains affiliate links that we may earn a commission on to support our small, family business.
1. DEET IS STILL THE PREFERRED PRODUCT FOR MOSQUITO PROTECTION
DEET has been around for a while and is the go to choice for mosquito repellants, particularly when you are at risk of serious diseases. It works by making it hard for bugs to smell us. It does not kill them. It has 60 years of safety data and DEET 10-30% is considered safe in pregnant women and down to age 2 months by both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
2. HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PRODUCT FOR YOU
There are a lot of different DEET products on the market so pick the one that best suits your needs.
First, look at concentration. Concentration affects how long it lasts but that effectiveness plateaus around 50%. You can find products as high as 100% DEET but they are not considered more effective or longer lasting than 50% DEET products. Use a product below 30% DEET for children and pregnant women according to the AAP.
Second, consider what form you prefer or will be most convenient. Sprays and lotions are common but there also are wipes which are easier to carry but more expensive.
Third, what size of bottle is suitable for your trip. You want enough to avoid having to buy much or any more when traveling. But remember, airlines have limits on liquids in your carry-on. This may mean buying a smaller bottle that is carry-on friendly or packing a larger bottle in your checked bag.
Additionally, avoid combo products with sunscreen due to differences in how to apply the product. Sunscreen should be applied frequently and liberally. Repellant should be applied sparingly and at the lowest necessary concentration.
Pay close attention to the directions, including how to apply the product. Repellant only needs to be applied on exposed skin. If using on the face, do not spray directly on the face. Spray on your hands then apply to the face.
This is our favorite DEET product for adult travelers. Here is why:
- It is a lotion so you can be confident where it has been applied
- It only needs to be applied every 12 hours
- It is in carry-on size containers
- One bottle lasts the average adult 7-10 days
Here is a good spray for kids that is 30% DEET and is a trusted brand.
3. IF YOU WANT TO USE A DEET-FREE OPTION, CHOOSE WISELY
There are a variety of DEET-free products on the market, but they are not all considered equal. Some have more data on safety and efficacy than others. A common alternative is picaridin which is also considered safe and effective by the EPA. Here is a one with 20$ picardin that lasts for 12-14 hours. Some people prefer picaridin because it is odorless and not as sticky or greasy as DEET.
A plant-based alternative is lemon eucalyptus oil which is not as well studied but appears to be about as effective as DEET 15%. Do not use it on children under age 3 as it has not been well studied.
Be skeptical of other natural alternatives, such as citronella oil, cedar oil, etc. They have been found to work only for a short period of time. This is especially concerning for travelers when you will most likely be out and about for long periods of time. Additionally, these products do not have to be registered with the EPA for safety. When you are traveling and may be at risk for more serious mosquito-borne diseases, you need something that you know is safe and effective.
At Odyssey Travel Health, we take travel health seriously. So if you are looking for advice or preventative medicine for your trip, book an appointment with us now!
References:
CDC
EPA
AAP
AAD
Pharmacist Letter “ Be Ready for Questions About Insects and Tick Repellants” June 2022 (Accessed April 6, 2023)
At Odyssey, we believe in making it as convenient as possible for you to get the care you need for travel. You already have enough on your plate to prepare for your trip. This part should be easy! We have been doing this for over 8 years. We know what you need and will answer your questions. We also are 5-Star rated on Google and provide excellent customer service to all international travelers in Washington State.
Are you ready check this part of your trip off your list? Then book an appointment with us now!
Marisa GronholzAugust 6, 2023We needed some last minute meds for international travel and this was so easy and the whole process was so thorough and professional and a great experience all around. I highly recommend!
haji mirkabJuly 14, 2023Lisa was a very excellent to communicate with her and I will see her back again.
Robert BruggnerJuly 1, 2023I had a wonderful experience with Odyssey Travel Health. Lisa provided thoughtful health recommendations for my upcoming trip and was convenient to chat with via a Telehealth visit. Much appreciated and highly recommended!
Ruchira ChoudhariJune 15, 2023My husband and I received a limited travel consultation, and we were both very pleased with the service. Lisa was extremely helpful in assisting us with finding a suitable pharmacy for the yellow fever vaccine, prescribing antimalarials and altitude sickness medicines. We appreciated her dedication to ensuring that we were well-informed about the necessary medications for our trip. Additionally, she was prompt in responding to our messages, which we found very reassuring.
Kaeli CreightonMay 26, 2023Lisa at Odyssey Health was so easy to work with. She was able to get my fiancé and I in the same day I called to ensure we were prepared for our upcoming trip. She was personable and thorough.
M MMarch 28, 2023Odyssey Travel Health was really easy to use and had excellent customer service. The online forms were very easy to fill out and Lisa was very knowledgeable. Even though I'm not local, she was able to send my prescriptions to a pharmacy near me. Since they're a small business, their customer service is excellent. I highly recommend Odyssey Travel Health!
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
Although I am a healthcare provider, I am not YOUR healthcare provider. All content on this website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice and does not establish any kind of patient-client relationship by your use of this website. Always seek personalized advice from a qualified healthcare provider before making any health or medical decisions.