DEET versus natural mosquito repellents
I was reading the local newspaper this morning and
my attention was caught by health information on the West Nile Virus.
Health Link Canada claims that “your
best protection is insect repellent with DEET. Used as directed, DEET
has an excellent safety record. Products with lemon eucalyptus oil are
effective for shorter periods of time”. I
immediately wondered if using a natural mosquito repellent increases
the risk of being infected with West Nile virus. Is it much safer to
use a DEET mosquito repellent?
Is DEET the most effective insect repellent?DEET
(N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) works by blocking the insect’s senses so
that it is not attracted to human sweat and breath. Many studies show
that it is the most effective insect repellent.
Its
effectiveness also depends on its concentration : ?100% DEET was found
to offer up to 12 hours of protection while several lower concentration
DEET formulations (20%-34%) offered 3-6 hours of protection’ .
Conclusion: yes, DEET is very effective and provides the best protection against ticks and mosquitoes.
But is it safe to use on a regular basis? According
to studies, DEET is very safe to use. Products containing less than 30%
of DEET are supposed to be safe for children from 2 months old. There
is no indication that DEET poses a risk for pregnant or nursing mothers.
Yet,
I still wonder how a solvent that can dissolve plastic and peels paint
is not toxic for our body. DEET is actually a moderate chemical
pesticide. Originally it was used as a pesticide for farm fields and
was developed by the United States army during World War II. Do we
really want such a chemical to penetrate our bloodstream through our
skin?
Manufacturers advise that DEET should not be used under
clothing or on damaged skin, because it can irritate the skin. Cases of
serious reactions to products containing DEET have actually been
reported when using for multiple days without washing the skin in
between use. Other studies show that DEET is slightly toxic for the
environment, especially in water sources.
Conclusion: DEET may be an effective insect repellent, but its safety is still questionable.
Are natural mosquito repellents better alternatives and do they work?It is shown that lemon eucalyptus (eucalyptus citriodora) repellents are a highly effective and non toxic alternative to DEET.
Although
oil of eucalyptus products should not be used on children under 3 years
of age, it appears to be a safer choice when applied on the skin and
the most effective natural way to repel insects.
Other
essential oils such as Geranium, Soybean, and Citronella oil are also
proved to be quite effective. Lemongrass, Peppermint, Thyme, Rosemary,
Neem, Cinnamon, Castor, Cedar, and Clove Oil also have good results but
are still being researched.
In any case, be sure you are not allergic to any of these essential oils before using it on your whole body.
Furthermore,
most oils should not be applied undiluted to skin (e.g. Thyme and clove
oil). You could add a few drops to your shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen
or body lotion.
Conclusion: # 1 natural mosquito repellent = Lemon Eucalyptus oil
What about natural lotions for babies and pregnant women?Wearing
protective clothing is certainly the best alternative especially for
babies and pregnant women, but that’s not always an option in the heat
of summer.
Apparently, eating garlic or foods rich in vitamin B1 do not really provide protection against mosquitoes.
So try to avoid what actually attracts mosquitoes:
- Dark clothing, floral or fruity fragrances, moisture
- Cooler temperatures of the extremities
- Lactic acid produced by the body after exercising or after eating certain foods such as salty foods or high-potassium foods
- Carbon dioxide from a source of fire or even when you are hot or have been exercising
Conclusion:
If you are in a place with a high rate of insect diseases (e.g. West
Nile virus or Lyme disease), or you experience severe allergic
reactions to bites and stings, it might be worth using DEET products.
Otherwise, on a regular basis, there are lots of effective DEET-free
products and safer alternatives.
Remember to reapply natural
mosquito repellents more often because they are not quite as long
lasting , and try to avoid as much as possible what appeals to mosquitos.
Related useful links
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEET
- http://altmedicine.about.com/od/aznaturalremedyindex/a/mosquito.htm
- http://www.eartheasy.com/live_natpest_control.htm
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