How to Repel Mosquitoes Safely
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A Beyond Pesticides Factsheet – A Beyond Pesticides Factsheet – A Beyond Pesticides Factsheet – A Beyond Pesticides Factsheet How to Repel Mosquitoes Safely ith summer approaching, and the insects coming out in full force, along with some very itchy arms and legs, avoiding mosquitoes be- comes a high priority. It is not too early this spring to fight the bite first and foremost by practicing prevention. Remove any standing water Wwhere mosquitoes can breed around your home and schoolyard, such as plant pots, leaky hoses, clogged gutters, empty buckets, toys, and old tires. Trim back overgrown vegetation, and encourage natural predators like bats, birds, dragonflies, and frogs. Protect yourself from mosquitoes by wearing long-sleeved, loose, light colored clothing. When sitting outside, use an oscillating fan, a screened area, or even a pop-up shelter. Burning citronella candles outside may also help repel mosquitoes. As a last line of defense, employ least-toxic mosquito repellents (but with the understanding that no acceptable repellent will provide complete protection from bites). Many common mosquito sprays contain harmful ingredients, so it is important to read labels carefully before buying and using repellents. Least-Toxic Mosquito Repellents: p-Menthane-3,8-diol, is also on the market, mium 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent. but Beyond Pesticides suggests considering • Estimated Time of Effectiveness: Based on picaridin concentration: 3-6 hours at Registered Repellents: Although many es- the refined, natural extract. Protection times sential oil insect repellents are registered by are similar to DEET-based repellents. concentrations below 20%; up to 8 hours the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • Cautions: Do not apply to children less at concentrations of 20%. (EPA), only the following active ingredients than 3 years of age. in repellents are evaluated by EPA for health • Product Examples: Repel Lemon Euca- IR3535 risks and product effectiveness, and also con- lyptus Insect Repellent, Cutter Lemon Insect repellent 3535 is a synthetic repellent sidered least-toxic by Beyond Pesticides. With Eucalyptus Insect Repellent. that was registered by EPA in 1999, after 20 any repellent, read the directions and follow • Estimated Time of Effectiveness: 3-7 years of use in Europe, with no reports of the label carefully, and be sure to avoid con- hours in areas with aggressive mos- adverse effects in the scientific literature. tact with sensitive areas like the eyes and quito populations, up to 12 hours in Despite its synthetic make-up, IR3535 is reg- open wounds. These materials are all alterna- other areas. istered as a biochemical pesticide because tives to the hazardous ingredient DEET. (See it is functionally identical to the molecular DEET hazards on next page.) Picaridin (Icaridin, or KBR 3023) structure of beta alanine, a naturally occur- A synthetic version of the piperine com- ring amino acid, and the end groups formed Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) pound in pepper, picaridin is a relatively new through its production are not likely to con- ****Best Choice!*** insect repellent that can be used as a least- tribute to toxicity. Still, those looking for a The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and toxic alternative to DEET. Although there is natural repellent should consider OLE. Prevention (CDC) recommends OLE repel- limited data available on this product, par- • Cautions: Eye irritant, avoid contact in lents as an effective alternative to DEET. OLE ticularly concerning long-term toxicity, evi- or around eyes. masks both carbon dioxide and lactic acid dence does suggest that it has low potential • Product examples: Avon Skin So Soft exhalations that alert mosquitoes to our for human harm if used as directed. Picaridin Bug Guard Plus IR 3535 Expedition, presence, hiding humans from detection. is synthetic, so those seeking a natural repel- Coleman Skin Smart DEET-Free Pump Only formulated, refined OLE is registered by lent should consider OLE. Spray Insect Repellent. the agency as a repellent; note that “pure” • Cautions: Do not apply to children less • Estimated Time of Effectiveness: Based lemon eucalyptus oil is registered for safety, than 2 months of age. on IR3535 concentration: Around 2 but not repellent effectiveness by EPA. A syn- • Product Examples: Avon Skin So Soft hours at concentrations below 20%; up thetic version of the active ingredient in OLE, Bug Guard Plus Picaridin, Sawyer Pre- to 8 hours at concentrations of 20%. 701 E Street SE, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20003 n 202-543-5450 n www.beyondpesticides.org BEYOND PESTICIDES A Beyond Pesticides Factsheet – A Beyond Pesticides Factsheet – A Beyond Pesticides Factsheet – A Beyond Pesticides Factsheet Federally Registered Repellents: Unless determined to be minimum risk and exempt from Be Sure to Avoid: registration, repellents must undergo EPA’s formal registration process, which includes a scientific assessment of the active ingredient that is included in pesticide products. Repel- Pesticide-Impregnated Clothing lents with a public health claim (such as, ‘protects against mosquitoes carrying West Nile Although clothing pre-treated with the in- virus’), must be evaluated by EPA for product effectiveness. secticide permethrin, the only pesticide ap- proved for this use, is less available in the Unregistered Repellents (List 25(b) – Federally Exempt Minimum Risk Products): marketplace, many companies nonetheless Minimum risk repellents and pesticides under section 25(b) of the Federal Insecticide, sell spray cans of permethrin intended to Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) are not required to undergo the federal registration be applied to clothing. Beyond Pesticides process if their ingredients are “demonstrably safe for its intended use.” strongly discourages the use of permethrin on clothing. Permethrin is classified as “like- ly to be carcinogenic” by EPA, and studies have linked childhood permethrin exposure Unregistered Repellents (25b–see box): would have it. Although there is evidence to leukemia. Permethrin shows evidence of Essential oil repellents are considered mini- that burning citronella candles and incense endocrine disruption and neurotoxicity,1,2 mum risk, and are evaluated by EPA for reduces backyard mosquitoes, spray-on and research has also linked pesticides in safety concerns. Although EPA has not eval- products primarily made of citronella oil are the pyrethroid class, which permethrin is a uated them for effectiveness, some indepen- not reported by many to be the most effec- part of, to behavioral and emotional prob- dent data does suggest a varying degree of tive way to repel mosquitoes. For example, lems in children.3 efficacy with certain essential oil repellents. Natrapel products containing 10% citro- All are considered least-toxic by Beyond Pes- nella oil showed one hour efficacy under DEET ticides, but some can cause contact derma- EPA tests, but now have been reformulated Although recent scientific data calls into titis, so apply to a small area of skin, such as with picaridin. Natural products, such as the question evidence that DEET results in sei- the arm or leg first, before using on the rest ones listed below, which contain citronella, zures in children, Beyond Pesticides sug- of your body. With all essential oil bug re- but not as the active ingredient, have in- gests that people consider least-toxic repel- pellent products, use caution around infants creased repellency. lents such as OLE and the others listed in and toddlers, and always read the label. Citronella can contain human • Cautions: this article be used in place of DEET. In hu- allergens and should not be applied to mans, symptoms of acute exposure to DEET Soybean Oil infants and toddlers. include headache, exhaustion and mental Many bug repellents are formulated with All-Terrain Herbal Ar- • Product example: confusion, together with blurred vision, soybean oil, an extract of soybeans. Although mor DEET-Free Natural Insect Repellent. salivation, chest tightness, muscle twitch- soybean oil repellents have not been tested 30 • Estimated Time of Effectiveness: ing and abdominal cramps. Researchers for efficacy by EPA, Health Canada recom- minutes to 3 hours, depending upon have noted significant concerns related to mends these products as an acceptable mos- formulation. the use of DEET, including nervous system quito repellent. The agency also does not disorders, adverse developmental effects, prescribe any frequency or age limitations to Other Essential Oils and neurotoxicity in children. One study the use of soybean oil repellents. Many of the products listed above also con- found that DEET inhibits cholinesterase ac- • Cautions: Avoid contact with eyes, fol- tain essential oils, such as lemongrass oil, cas- tivity crucial for regulating nerve impulses.4 low label directions. tor oil, catnip oil, geraniol oil, cedarwood oil, Another study associated pregnant wom- • Product examples: Buzz Away prod- peppermint oil, clove oil and others. There is en’s exposure to insect repellents, such as ucts, Bite Blocker Organic Extreme. limited data on the efficacy for many of the DEET, during their first trimester to an 81% • Estimated Time of Effectiveness: 1.5 to essential oils as stand-alone mosquito repel- increased chance of male children develop- 4 hours, depending upon formulation. lents. However, catnip oil shows the greatest ing “hypospadias,” a condition where the promise. No essential oils should be applied urinary opening is at the bottom rather that Citronella Oil to infants or toddlers. Beyond Pesticides sug- the tip of the penis.5 The classic all-natural mosquito repellent gests that you consider one of the many DEET- may not be as effective as word of mouth free formulated repellents. Studies have also shown synergistic effects as a result of combining DEET and permethrin to- 6 DEET labels are required to include the following directions: “Do not apply over cuts, gether. Scientists link the combined effect of wounds, or irritated skin; Do not apply to hands or near eyes and mouth of young these two chemicals to poor sensorimotor per- children; Do not allow young children to apply this product; Use just enough repellent to formance and brain damage.