News - Mosquito & Insect Repellent

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Important Information about Buggspray and Insect Repellents As we come across it, we'll post relevant information regarding mosquito repellent, mosquito control and abatement, insecticides and bug killers. Of course, we'll talk about our products but will also give you information you can use.

DEET offers effective mosquito protection when used correctly

Calming West Nile fears - more advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Sept. 2002

Studies show insect repellents with a DEET concentration of 30% are more protective than lower concentrations, but that concentrations higher than 30% do not provide more protection. They simply last longer. In response to these findings, the Academy says a 30% concentration is safe for adults and children, but that 10% can be used for children if parents are concerned about the potential risks or if the threat of disease-carrying mosquitoes is small.

Update - June, 2003

Insect repellents containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, also known as N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) with a concentration of 10% appear to be as safe as products with a concentration of 30% when used according to the directions on the product labels. DEET is not recommended for use on children under 2 months of age.

DEET-containing products are the most effective mosquito repellents available. DEET also is effective as a repellent against a variety of other insects, including ticks. It should be used when there is a need to prevent insect-borne disease. The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10% to over 30%. The efficacy of DEET plateaus at a concentration of 30%, the maximum concentration currently recommended for infants and children. The major difference in the efficacy of products relates to their duration of action. Products with concentrations around 10% are effective for periods of approximately two hours. As the concentration of DEET increases, the duration of activity increases; for example, a concentration of about 24% has been shown to provide an average of 5 hours of protection.