Insect Repellent – What Do You Need to Know?

Along with the warmer weather, mosquitoes and other insects make their grand entrance as well. To stay protected, there are many insect repellents to choose from.

Which one is best? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using products that have active ingredients registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If an ingredient is listed with the EPA, this means “the EPA does not expect the product to cause adverse effects to human health or the environment.”

Many people have concerns about DEET, an ingredient used in some insect repellents. After many years of testing, DEET is approved for use on adults and children.

For your safety, follow these suggestions –

• Apply to exposed skin or clothing; do not apply under clothing.
• Never apply on cuts or open wounds.
• Avoid your eyes, mouth and children’s hands.
• Assist children with applying insect repellent.

The CDC also recommends wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants. Use air conditioning when possible and repair window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.

Contact your doctor or nurse if you have specific concerns about Zika virus, or are traveling to a country where Zika is present.