9159374698?profile=RESIZE_584xNothing quite says summer like a bug bite- especially one you don’t notice until the next day. Whether you prefer traditional insect repellent methods or natural, DIY ones, SCOCO has you covered this summer. However, one tried and true tip for repelling bugs is always making sure to cover as much skin as possible…which may be challenging with the dead-of-summer Contra Costa heat that will sneak up on us soon enough!  

DEET, which has been commercially available since 1957, is the primary active ingredient in most common insect repellent products. Known to chemists as N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, DEET is a yellowish liquid that repels a number of biting insects (including mosquitoes and ticks) when applied to skin or clothing. The simplest theory offered to explain DEET's effectiveness is that the smell is so unpleasant that it repels mosquitoes and other biting bugs.

DEET is thought to break down quickly in the environment, so it is generally not considered harmful to wildlife. According to the CDC, DEET is broken down by sunlight and other chemicals in the air; after 5 hours, one-half of the DEET released into the atmosphere will disappear this way.  On the other hand, the DEET applied to skin ends its journey by traveling through aquatic systems, where it is eventually degraded by aerobic microorganisms. 

On the human side of the equation, DEET has been approved by the EPA for use in people of all ages, including children (though it is not recommended for children younger than two months). Some people experience rashes or irritated skin after using DEET, which can also irritate a person’s eyes if sprayed too close. However, most cases with serious side effects caused by DEET involve long-term, heavy, frequent or whole body application of the repellent. Consumer Reports has a discussion of DEET's safety here.

As with anything, insect repellent is best used in moderation and in accordance with the instructions on the packaging. As a general rule, products with 10% concentration of DEET should repel bugs for around 2 hours, while those with concentrations of 20%-30% last around 5 hours. 

For those who plan on using DEET based insect repellent this summer, here are 3 helpful tips on how to use insect repellent safely: 

  • A little goes a long way, and, for the most part, one time application is enough. 
  • Do your part by limiting your skin’s exposure to bugs (and potential bites)! 
  • Wash skin with soap and water after coming back indoors to remove any lingering insect repellent. 

While the EPA requires insect repellents intended to be applied to skin to be registered for both human safety and effectiveness, the agency has also listed several natural ingredients as minimum risk pesticides (though it is important to note that these products aren’t tested for effectiveness, just safety for human use). Similarly, if your disinterest in putting DEET on your skin stems from the simple fact that some say it smells terrible, here are other effective repellents to consider:

  • Citronella and citrus oils like limonene
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus (not to be confused with lemon eucalyptus essential oil, which isn’t effective at repelling bugs)
  • Peppermint oil (which is also thought to effectively keep spiders away)
  • Lavender oil 
  • Tea tree oil  

*Note: In order to be as safe as possible, research on natural, DIY insect repellent recipes should include the distinction between oils that are safe for topical use and oils that ought to be diluted before coming into contact with your skin.

Healthline explains many natural repellent ingredients and shares recipes for Your Skin, Home, and Yard HERE. This Green Matters article includes instructions on how to make a homemade insect repellent.

 Best of luck staying bite free this summer!

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