Deet Insect Repellent

With the hard times fighting off harmful and deadly bugs we are having right now, it would be perfect to have ways to repel insects. One way of doing this is by suing products with DEET content. 

DEET is the active chemical ingredient that is found in most insect repellents available in the US. It is used to repel biting pests like mosquitoes and ticks, especially those that include or carry Lyme disease. DEET was officially registered in the United States for the use of the general public in 1957.  

In fact, insect repellents that contained DEET have been tested and were proven as safe to be used for kids. Although, of course, there are always precautions to be undertaken when we use any chemical-based product. Take note of the following: 

1.    Generally, the higher % of DEET, the longer the repellent works. Higher concentrations of DEET are recommended when you have activities that will keep you outdoors for a very long time. This is especially true in geographic regions with large insect and tick populations. While lower concentration is advisable when you are planning to stay indoors most of the time or when you just have to go out on a short time. 

2.    Choose the repellent that has no more than 10-30% concentration of DEET. Use lower concentration if the kids will just be outside for a short time, as mentioned above.    

3.    Generally, repellents with DEET should not be applied more than once a day, and is not recommended for babies 2 months old and younger. It can be used on exposed skin, also on clothing, socks, and shoes, but should not be used on the face, under your clothing, or on the hands of particularly young children. 

There are OFF Products containing DEET that are just right for you to use. Consider the following: 

1.    OFF! FamilyCare Insect Repellents. This contains 5-15% DEET and ideal for backyard or playground exposure. It can provide  protection for up to 2 hours (5-7% DEET) or up to 6 hours (15% DEET) against mosquitoes. 

2.    OFF! Active. This contains 15% or 25% DEET, sweat resistant, and ideal for family sports exposure. It can provide protection for up to 6 hours (15% DEET) or up to 8 hours (25% DEET) against mosquitoes. 

3.    OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellents. This contains 25% DEET, and effective ion wooded areas. This is ideal to be sued on hiking, camping, and fishing activities. It can provide protection for up to 8 hours against mosquitoes 

4.    OFF! Deep Woods Sportsmen Insect Repellent. This contains 25-30% DEET and is effective in intense bug-biting situations. This can be ideal for hunting, fishing and camping activities too. Provides protection for up to 8 hours against mosquitoes also. 

5.    OFF! Deep Woods Sportsmen Insect Repellent I. This contains 98.25% DEET and is easy to apply. This comes in convenient-to-carry size, so it can be taken anywhere you will go.  

This one can actually provide protection for up to 10 hours against mosquitoes. 

Just consider the following reminders so that safety will be achieved: 

a.    Concentrations higher than 30% are not more effective and the chemical (which is absorbed through the skin) can be toxic. Therefore, be sure to follow the directions on the label. 

b.    If you apply insect repellent to exposed skin, do so sparingly. Do not apply repellent to kids' hands — that way, they can't ingest it if they put their hands in their mouth. It also can cause irritation if they touch their eyes. 

3. Avoid spraying the repellent anywhere near the mouth, so it can't be ingested.