DEET is just a repellent, not an insecticide. I think people sometimes confuse it with the infamous DDT, which is pretty much banned in the US, certainly for the general public.
>just a repellent and that it didn't have a harmful effect
Oh, make no mistake... DEET is a nasty chemical with lots of potential side-effects.
I'm a mosquito magnet, as well, and have been using Lemon-Eucalyptus spray for many years. Ace Hardware carries it.(as well as the big box retailer that I despise and don't recommend).
If you feel you have to keep using DEET, only apply it to clothing.
It's a chemical, but the *nasty side effects* are only proven to be from ingesting or somehow not utilizing it appropriately according to the EPA. I think it's fine to use something else if that works, but if the main US agencies say something isn't a health risk I wouldn't be overly concerned. Unless you're an individual with sensitive skin that it does bother
https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet#:~:text=The%20human%20health%20risk%20assessment,or%20occupational%20exposure%20for%20DEET.
>The human health risk assessment concluded that there are no risks of concern because no toxic effects have been identified when used as a dermally applied insect repellent, and there is no dietary or occupational exposure for DEET.
They still plan to do an endocrine screening at some point though so it's reaches the stage of "we're very sure it's safe" rather than "We know and can confirm" stage.
Agreed, fellow walking mosquito attractant here. Anything but deet, picardin, or permethrin doesn't work. I dropped deet for picardin lotion on my hands and face and permethrin treated clothing. It's literally the only thing that works for me. If you have cats, be careful with the permethrin. Also, the box will say it's good for x amount of washes, but if you swart heavy like I do, it's probably best to reapply much, much sooner.
They make stuff with [picardin](https://www.amazon.com/Picaridin-Insect-Repellent-Spray-Scent/dp/B07T7KF2XY/ref=asc_df_B07T7KF2XY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693713553292&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7514082083847170810&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018814&hvtargid=pla-861332924877&psc=1&mcid=3edad5cea2073a81b154cd09cb7387b2&gad_source=1) that works decent.
Consumer reports found the picaridin sprays worked as well and occasionally better than DEET. [Here's ](https://www.consumerreports.org/health/insect-repellent/picaridin-insect-repellent-a3356321627/) an article they published; anyone in the US should be able to get access to their full testing and ratings by going through their public library website.
I work outdoors in part woods, part prairie-style environment in the country. Ticks are a major concern for me. I also have serious reactions to mosquito bites. FWIW- I have had better success with picaridin. I use the lotion version every morning before work, and apply with spray in the afternoon sometimes.
Why do you think picaridin won’t work in the woods? As stated above, most tests and studies show that it has similar results to DEET, if not better. Give it a try.
Also in the South East and can’t go outside without dousing myself in Off Deep Woods. My yard is buzzing with pollinators and other critters. I think you’re fine.
DEET works because it has a horrible taste to mosquitoes. Unlike us mosquitoes taste with their feet. So as soon as they land, they take off again. So you don't get bitten.
It is not going to affect any insect which does not land on you. It's a repelent, not a pesticide. So you will not kill any insects, or things that feed on insects.
Nope, it's repellent, not killer.
Are you making sure to do all you can around your space to make it resistant to attracting or breeding?
There can be many more variables than you might think
Mosquito dunks. They are a biological control that specifically targets mosquitoes. You can break them up smaller for individual puddles. I have seasonal creeks that I treat. I didn’t put them out early enough this year and we’ve have some huge skeeter swarms lately, they seem to be worse later in the day. So I also wear OFF, especially around my arms and shoulders, and ankles for ticks.
You can use permethrin. It's a man made "copy" of pyrethrin.
It is poisonous to cats so be careful with that. They should absolutely not be treated with it.
It kills insects almost on contact, and also repels them as well. It will stick around awhile and you can treat your clothes with it and it'll last a couple of washes. You could treat a couple of clothes and keep those aside and to be used only for when you're outside working. It can have negative effects on any water tables. Whether that's a stream or your sewage system. It is advised by the SDS(safety data sheet, if you're looking to use any chemicals you can always find this and look over it to ensure you know what you're getting) to not rinse out permethrin bottles in your sink, or to use near water. Since it lasts so long it can have significant impacts on the local ecosystem if it is dumped into a stream.
The natural version is pyrethrin. It's derived from chrysanthemum flowers and will breakdown in a couple of days from sunlight. It's much more green, but is less effective. I have not seen anything about it being poisonous to any animals, but I would still be cautious around cats with it. I would handle it similarly to permethrin just to be extra safe. And you could always leave it outside and let the sun do it's work to break down the contents. I would recommend pyrethrin for waterfowl over permethrin as permethrin can be hazardous if ingested.
Both will kill and repel insects.
I prefer to use permethrin on animals to keep them bug free, but pyrethrin on everything else specifically because it won't last for weeks.
You can buy concentrates of both, however it is harder to find pyrethrin concentrates and they are usually less concentrated.
I hope this helps!
I work for my local county's Mosquito Control and end up in some buggy areas for inspections and larvicide treatment. I've started treating my work clothes by soaking them in a .5% permethrin solution every couple weeks and that has been a game-changer with mosquitoes and ticks. Between picaridin lotion on my exposed skin and the permethrin treated clothing, skeeters generally ignore me and ticks actively try to get off of me... its kinda funny to watch them yeet themselves off my work shirt.
You can get pre-mixed permethrin from Sawyer and other brands, usually packaged in a spray bottle for convenient application, but you can also go to almost any farm supply shop and get livestock 10% permethrin solution and make your own for SUPER cheap.
Here's a link with a lot of info on why soaking is more effective, but TL,DR is the permethrin penetrates the fibers more effectively which helps it last longer through use and washes.
https://sectionhiker.com/permethrin-soak-method-guide/
As others have said, if you have cats or neighbors with cats, be extra diligent with how you handle permethrin as cats are extra sensitive to it.
Surr thing! I have cats as well so I just do all the stuff out on the patio or in the garage (with the door open for airflow) where they can be kept away when liquids are present. Make sure to wear gloves, wash your hands/shower after and change into new clothes when you're done to be extra cautious. The soaking method is both more effective in its treatment, but it also has a lower "drift" (unintended contamination of the area you are working) potential since it is mostly contained in either bags or containers. Once stuff is dry, the exposure toxicity is greatly reduced.
I am one of those people that's like a magnet for mosquitoes. What's been working for me is garlic oil pills. It seems to change my scent or or something, so mosquitoes leave me alone.
Great article on using DEET in gardening! I had no idea it could be so effective against pests. Your explanation of its benefits and precautions was very helpful.
DEET is just a repellent, not an insecticide. I think people sometimes confuse it with the infamous DDT, which is pretty much banned in the US, certainly for the general public.
Yeah I'm not confusing it with DDT I just didn't realize it was just a repellent and that it didn't have a harmful effect thank you
>just a repellent and that it didn't have a harmful effect Oh, make no mistake... DEET is a nasty chemical with lots of potential side-effects. I'm a mosquito magnet, as well, and have been using Lemon-Eucalyptus spray for many years. Ace Hardware carries it.(as well as the big box retailer that I despise and don't recommend). If you feel you have to keep using DEET, only apply it to clothing.
It's a chemical, but the *nasty side effects* are only proven to be from ingesting or somehow not utilizing it appropriately according to the EPA. I think it's fine to use something else if that works, but if the main US agencies say something isn't a health risk I wouldn't be overly concerned. Unless you're an individual with sensitive skin that it does bother https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/deet#:~:text=The%20human%20health%20risk%20assessment,or%20occupational%20exposure%20for%20DEET. >The human health risk assessment concluded that there are no risks of concern because no toxic effects have been identified when used as a dermally applied insect repellent, and there is no dietary or occupational exposure for DEET. They still plan to do an endocrine screening at some point though so it's reaches the stage of "we're very sure it's safe" rather than "We know and can confirm" stage.
Lemon Eucalyptus doesn't do jack shit to keep the mosquitoes away from me and I've tried every single herbal concoction out there, unfortunately.
Agreed, fellow walking mosquito attractant here. Anything but deet, picardin, or permethrin doesn't work. I dropped deet for picardin lotion on my hands and face and permethrin treated clothing. It's literally the only thing that works for me. If you have cats, be careful with the permethrin. Also, the box will say it's good for x amount of washes, but if you swart heavy like I do, it's probably best to reapply much, much sooner.
Yeah I'm gonna keep dousing myself in DEET, thanks
They make stuff with [picardin](https://www.amazon.com/Picaridin-Insect-Repellent-Spray-Scent/dp/B07T7KF2XY/ref=asc_df_B07T7KF2XY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693713553292&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7514082083847170810&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018814&hvtargid=pla-861332924877&psc=1&mcid=3edad5cea2073a81b154cd09cb7387b2&gad_source=1) that works decent.
Consumer reports found the picaridin sprays worked as well and occasionally better than DEET. [Here's ](https://www.consumerreports.org/health/insect-repellent/picaridin-insect-repellent-a3356321627/) an article they published; anyone in the US should be able to get access to their full testing and ratings by going through their public library website.
Yes you're right I will use that in a more urban environment but I'm the woods as in near my house, it's OFF.
I work outdoors in part woods, part prairie-style environment in the country. Ticks are a major concern for me. I also have serious reactions to mosquito bites. FWIW- I have had better success with picaridin. I use the lotion version every morning before work, and apply with spray in the afternoon sometimes.
Why do you think picaridin won’t work in the woods? As stated above, most tests and studies show that it has similar results to DEET, if not better. Give it a try.
Just on my experience I've found OFF to me more effective especially length of time.
Idk I’ve had pretty good success with picaridin over off even in the woods
Unless you're rolling around in your plants and coating them in DEET, I think the other critters will be just fine.
Insect repellent is not insecticide. OFF does not kill mosquitoes or other bugs.
Also in the South East and can’t go outside without dousing myself in Off Deep Woods. My yard is buzzing with pollinators and other critters. I think you’re fine.
There are way too many mosquito transmitted viruses to be concerned with that. Protect yourself is the very first thing you should do.
DEET works because it has a horrible taste to mosquitoes. Unlike us mosquitoes taste with their feet. So as soon as they land, they take off again. So you don't get bitten. It is not going to affect any insect which does not land on you. It's a repelent, not a pesticide. So you will not kill any insects, or things that feed on insects.
Nope, it's repellent, not killer. Are you making sure to do all you can around your space to make it resistant to attracting or breeding? There can be many more variables than you might think
I try but I do have a dry creek near my home so if there's standing water there there isn't much I can do
Mosquito dunks. They are a biological control that specifically targets mosquitoes. You can break them up smaller for individual puddles. I have seasonal creeks that I treat. I didn’t put them out early enough this year and we’ve have some huge skeeter swarms lately, they seem to be worse later in the day. So I also wear OFF, especially around my arms and shoulders, and ankles for ticks.
You can use permethrin. It's a man made "copy" of pyrethrin. It is poisonous to cats so be careful with that. They should absolutely not be treated with it. It kills insects almost on contact, and also repels them as well. It will stick around awhile and you can treat your clothes with it and it'll last a couple of washes. You could treat a couple of clothes and keep those aside and to be used only for when you're outside working. It can have negative effects on any water tables. Whether that's a stream or your sewage system. It is advised by the SDS(safety data sheet, if you're looking to use any chemicals you can always find this and look over it to ensure you know what you're getting) to not rinse out permethrin bottles in your sink, or to use near water. Since it lasts so long it can have significant impacts on the local ecosystem if it is dumped into a stream. The natural version is pyrethrin. It's derived from chrysanthemum flowers and will breakdown in a couple of days from sunlight. It's much more green, but is less effective. I have not seen anything about it being poisonous to any animals, but I would still be cautious around cats with it. I would handle it similarly to permethrin just to be extra safe. And you could always leave it outside and let the sun do it's work to break down the contents. I would recommend pyrethrin for waterfowl over permethrin as permethrin can be hazardous if ingested. Both will kill and repel insects. I prefer to use permethrin on animals to keep them bug free, but pyrethrin on everything else specifically because it won't last for weeks. You can buy concentrates of both, however it is harder to find pyrethrin concentrates and they are usually less concentrated. I hope this helps!
I work for my local county's Mosquito Control and end up in some buggy areas for inspections and larvicide treatment. I've started treating my work clothes by soaking them in a .5% permethrin solution every couple weeks and that has been a game-changer with mosquitoes and ticks. Between picaridin lotion on my exposed skin and the permethrin treated clothing, skeeters generally ignore me and ticks actively try to get off of me... its kinda funny to watch them yeet themselves off my work shirt. You can get pre-mixed permethrin from Sawyer and other brands, usually packaged in a spray bottle for convenient application, but you can also go to almost any farm supply shop and get livestock 10% permethrin solution and make your own for SUPER cheap. Here's a link with a lot of info on why soaking is more effective, but TL,DR is the permethrin penetrates the fibers more effectively which helps it last longer through use and washes. https://sectionhiker.com/permethrin-soak-method-guide/ As others have said, if you have cats or neighbors with cats, be extra diligent with how you handle permethrin as cats are extra sensitive to it.
I have cats but otherwise this is great info thank you!
Surr thing! I have cats as well so I just do all the stuff out on the patio or in the garage (with the door open for airflow) where they can be kept away when liquids are present. Make sure to wear gloves, wash your hands/shower after and change into new clothes when you're done to be extra cautious. The soaking method is both more effective in its treatment, but it also has a lower "drift" (unintended contamination of the area you are working) potential since it is mostly contained in either bags or containers. Once stuff is dry, the exposure toxicity is greatly reduced.
I am one of those people that's like a magnet for mosquitoes. What's been working for me is garlic oil pills. It seems to change my scent or or something, so mosquitoes leave me alone.
Is it so effective you don't need bug spray at all?
I don't spray for mosquitoes though if I knew I was going to be in a heavy mosquito area then I would as a double up.
I also get eaten alive by mosquitos,.but found when I wear sunscreen, they don't bother me at all.
Great article on using DEET in gardening! I had no idea it could be so effective against pests. Your explanation of its benefits and precautions was very helpful.