What You Need to Know to Pick a Mosquito Repellant

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) Choose the right product for you and pay close attention to the directions. 

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) Some alternative DEET-free repellents are better than others. 

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 good one that lasts for 12 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)