IMPORTANT MOSQUITO REPELLENT INFORMATION Please read! :

Bug Sprays containing DEET are harmful to the bioluminescent lagoon and yourself and small children. People 50 years and older should wear bug repellent. There is West Nile virus in the Caribbean, as well as in the continental US.

PLEASE NOTE: The Center for Disease control now recommends a product that does not contain Deet...CDC has not yet fully recommended use of oil of lemon eucalyptus. They cautiously note that it may be effective.

Quote:

" Repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)], a plant-derived active ingredient, are also registered with EPA. In two recent scientific publications,* when repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus were tested against mosquitoes found in the US they provided protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET. . . " Also note that the efficacy is similar to "low concentrations of DEET."

The non-DEET ingredient the CDFC recommends is Picaridin, as it, like DEET, has "demonstrated a higher degree of efficacy in the peer-reviewed, scientific literature . Products containing these active ingredients typically provide longer-lasting protection than others." Picaridin is also known as KBR 3023. In the US, Cutter, OFF, Avon, and KBR 3023 are brands with this ingredient.

* (some products in these brands have DEET or other ingredients.) Bayrepel is the common brand name outside the US.

Link to AMA chart showing effectiveness time for various bug repellents and insecticides.

USING DEET SAFELY How to Use Insect Repellent with DEET:

• Only apply insect repellents to exposed skin avoiding the eyes and mouth.
• Do not apply on wounds or scratches.
• It’s not necessary to apply a thick layer for adequate protection.
• Do not apply to the hands of small children, since they put their hands in their mouths.
• Do not allow children to put the product on themselves.
• Wash the repellent off with soap and water after returning indoors.
• Keep out of the reach of children, because like many chemicals, DEET can be harmful if swallowed.
• A very small number of children and adults may be sensitive to chemicals such as DEET.  If there is a suspected reaction to an insect repellent, wash the area and call your doctor.

Do not buy products which mix DEET and a sunscreen (sunscreens need to be applied every few hours, and even though 10% DEET, doesn't provide protection over 2 hours, it is not water soluble and can last up to 8 hours.
Reapplication of DEET containing products may cause toxic effects

Q. Should I use a combination sunscreen/DEET-based insect repellent?
A. Because the instructions for safe use of DEET and safe use of sunscreen are different, CDC does not recommend using products that combine DEET with sunscreen.

In most situations, DEET does not need to be reapplied as frequently as sunscreen. DEET is very safe when applied correctly. The rare adverse reactions to DEET have generally occurred in situations where people do not follow the product instructions. Sunscreen often requires frequent reapplication, so using a combined product is not recommended. You do not need to reapply insect repellent every time you reapply sunscreen. Follow the instructions on the package for each product to get the best results.

Insect Repellents and Sunscreen New!
Q. Can I use an insect repellent containing DEET and sunscreen at the same time?
A. Yes. People can and should use both sunscreen and DEET when they are outdoors to protect their health. Follow the instructions on the package for proper application of each product. Apply sunscreen first, followed by a bug repellant, Remember you will need to reapply sunscreen after swimming but not DEET; which can only be safely applied as per guidelines below.

To protect from sun exposure and insect bites, you can also wear long sleeves and long pants. You can also apply insect repellent containing DEET or permethrin to your clothing, rather than directly to your skin.

Persons 13 years and older
• Use products with 30% DEET or less.
• Apply sparingly.
• Do not spray on face; instead, apply to hands, then rub onto face.
• Avoid contact with eyes.
• Wash skin with soap and water when returning indoors.

DEET (N,N-diethly-m-toluamide) is the best repellent to use against mosquitoes.
It works by masking odors that are given off by the human body.
DEET is safe to use, even for small children, when used as directed.
A concentration of 10% or less, is preferred to be used on young children.
Choose a repellent that will protect for the amount of time you will be outdoors:
23.8% DEET can protect for about 5 hours
20% DEET can protect for about 4 hours
6.65% DEET may protect for about 2 hours

Repellents that do not contain DEET are not likely to offer the same protection and may not be any safer for use on children.

Children should NOT use products with 100% DEET