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Mosquito Repellents: Which one is best?

by Patrick Linn, MS, MSHAPI
Executive Director,
Collier Mosquito Control District

ne of the most common questions Conversely, during a relatively small time frame from 2004 -
we hear from our public at the 2016, there were nearly 650,000 cases of vector-borne disease in
OCollier Mosquito Control District is the United States (CDC 2018); and there are over 700,000 deaths
about mosquito repellents: Which one is best? each year globally attributed to vector-borne diseases.
It’s an easy one for us to answer: both In the 1980s, Bayer developed a novel synthetic piperidine
the EPA and the CDC put the ingredient called picaridin. It elicits practically no dermal or eye irritation.
DEET at the top of the list when it comes The repellent efficacy in some instances is as good as DEET, and it
to effectiveness. Read on for some excellent offers protection time equivalent to DEET (Van Roey et al. 2014).
information provided by the American There are certainly other repellents on the market, oil of lemon
Mosquito Control Association’s Technical Advisor Daniel and eucalyptus most notably. But each new product has its own
Markowski about this proven repellent: concerns, typically an inferior protection time, while attempting to
“In 1957, DEET was registered by the EPA for general use overtake DEET as the repellent of choice.”
without restriction on the amount or frequency of application. Its The public – especially parents – need to be educated about
only registered use since that time has been as an insect repellent. the advantages and disadvantages of all available repellent
To date, the Agency has not identified any risks or concern products and, as always, mindful to use them according to the
to human health, non-target species, or the environment (US manufacturer’s label.
EPA 2014). This decision is based, in part, because since its initial Typically, the District offers public tours of our facilities to
registration in the 1950s, there have been only 46 case reports share more about our operations, but Hurricane Ian delivered
on DEET toxicity. Included are at least 25 cases with central nearly three feet of storm surge through our campus. All buildings
nervous system symptoms, one with cardiovascular involvement, are in a state of restoration and are not habitable, which is the
and 17 with cutaneous/allergic reactions. Reported central nervous primary reason the District is building a hangar at the Immokalee
system symptoms include lethargy, confusion, acute manic airport – to serve as a safe haven during storms to ensure
psychosis, headaches, ataxia, disorientation, acute encephalopathy, uninterrupted service to our community. However, our Outreach
convulsions, tremors, and seizures (Katz et al. 2008). team conducts presentations at group meetings. Please call our
It is important to note that most reported adverse incidents office at (239) 436-1000 to request a presentation or if we can
related to DEET use involve overuse or incorrect use of the provide more information.
product. That’s why it’s always important to read and follow usage NOTE: Excerpt reprinted with permission:
guidelines. With proper application, the use of DEET remains From where I roam: DEET remains the gold standard for
the most effective and an extremely safe repellent for preventing repelling medically important arthropods, Wing Beats magazine,
mosquito and other arthropod bites. Vol 33, No 4.

Want to know more about the science behind mosquito control? Looking for someone to speak to your group’s next meeting?
Visit the District’s website at cmcd.org or call 239.436.1000.

34 Life in Naples | January 2023