Know Your Insect Repellents

Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, but it also brings unwanted guests: bugs, especially mosquitoes and ticks.

Mosquitoes bite to feed on our blood, often leaving behind itchy, irritated welts. More concerning, they can carry serious diseases such as West Nile virus, Dengue fever, and various forms of encephalitis.

Ticks also feed on blood, but they latch on for longer periods. Using tiny hooks, they embed themselves into the skin, making them difficult to remove. Ticks are commonly found in grassy or wooded areas and can transmit illnesses like Lyme disease, a serious infection that can significantly affect your health and daily life.

Protecting Yourself Against Bugs

Bug sprays are an effective way to prevent insect bites during outdoor activities. They work by creating a barrier on your skin or clothing that deters mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects from landing and feeding. Most bug sprays rely on one or more proven active ingredients to provide protection.

Popular ingredients found in bug sprays include:

• DEET: Broad protection; proven longevity; widely recommended and versatile.
• Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE): Good plant-based alternative; similar efficacy to DEET; not for young children.
• IR3535: Gentler, but may need more frequent application; good for those wanting alternatives to DEET.
• Picaridin: Comparable to DEET in both effectiveness and duration; mild scent and non-greasy feel.

Each of these ingredients offers reliable protection against insect bites, but they differ in their strengths, duration, and recommended age of use. The next section compares these common bug spray ingredients to help you choose the best option for your needs.

DEET

DEET is the most widely studied and trusted insect repellent. It works by interfering with insects' ability to detect the chemicals they use to locate hosts. While concentrations range from 5% to 100%, research shows no additional benefit beyond 30-50% DEET.

Age-Appropriate Usage

• 6 months to 2 years: 10% DEET, maximum once daily
• 2 to 12 years: 10% DEET, up to three times daily
• 12 years and older: Up to 30% DEET

DEET Products

• Ben's 30% DEET Tick and Insect Repellent
• OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE)

This plant-based repellent is derived from the lemon eucalyptus tree and refined into a concentrated form. OLE provides protection equivalent to DEET but typically for shorter periods. It's an excellent choice for those preferring natural ingredients.

Safety: Not recommended for children under 3 years

OLE Products

• Coleman Botanicals Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
• Natrapel 6-Hour DEET-Free Lemon-Eucalyptus Insect Repellent

Picaridin

This synthetic compound mimics piperine, a natural substance found in pepper plants. Picaridin matches DEET's effectiveness and duration while offering several user-friendly advantages: it's odorless, won't damage clothing or gear, and feels less greasy on skin.

Safety: Not recommended for children under 3 years

Picaridin Products

• Natrapel Picaridin Tick and Insect Repellent
• Ben's Icaridin Adventure Formula

IR3535

This synthetic repellent offers good protection, though generally less effective and shorter-lasting than DEET or picaridin. It's particularly suitable for those with sensitive skin or when gentler protection is preferred.

Safety: Safe for children 6 months and older

Picaridin Products

• Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard
• Repel Insect Repellent

Protection Without Bug Sprays

For children under 6 months or those wanting to avoid chemicals:

• Wear long sleeves, pants, and tuck pants into socks.
• Choose light-colored clothing to spot bugs easily.
• Stay in screened or sealed environments.
• Use mosquito nets over beds or outdoor spaces.
• Avoid standing water to reduce insect breeding.
• Maintain clean surroundings to minimize insect habitats.

By combining effective repellents with these practical steps, you can enjoy the outdoors with greater peace of mind, minimizing the risk of insect bites and related illnesses.

Choosing the Right Protection

Consider these factors when selecting your protection method:

• Duration of outdoor exposure: Longer activities require longer-lasting formulas
• Age of users: Some ingredients have age restrictions
• Skin sensitivity: Gentler formulas may be preferable for sensitive skin
• Activity type: Water activities may require reapplication
• Avoid standing water to reduce insect breeding.
• Personal preferences: Scent, feel, and ingredient origin matter to many users