Taking care of buzzness: A guide to deterring mosquitos

MOSQUITO PROTECTION

To avoid being bitten

• Use mosquito repellent any time you are outdoors. Make sure to follow directions on the label.
• Be aware of mosquitos around you. If mosquitos are biting you, reapply repellent, or think about going inside.
• Be aware of peak mosquito hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many species of mosquitos. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing during evening and early morning—or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
• Use mosquito netting on baby carriages or playpens when your baby is outdoors.

Using repellents

• Repellents that contain DEET, permethrin, picaridin, or IR3535 protect against mosquitoes.
• Permethrin products are intended to be used on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.
• Lemon eucalyptus oil has been found to provide as much protection as low concentrations of DEET.
• When using DEET, be sure to read the label to see what the concentration of DEET is and how often it should be reapplied.
• Products with DEET concentrations higher than 30 percent do not provide better protection, but they do last longer.
• Use products in lotion, pump, or towelette form on skin. If spraying clothing, apply repellent outdoors to avoid breathing it in.
• Use just enough repellent to lightly cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Putting on more does not provide better protection. Choose a concentration based on the time you plan to spend outdoors.
• When you come inside, wash your skin and the clothes that had repellent on them.

Repellent precautions

• DEET products should not be used on infants under 2 months of age.
• Children older than 2 months should use products with DEET concentrations of 30 percent or less.
• Don’t let children handle repellents. When using repellents on children, put some on your hands first and then apply it to the child. Don’t put repellent on a child’s hands.
• Lemon eucalyptus oil products should not be used on children under the age of 3.
• Don’t use repellent mixed with sunscreen. The mix of chemicals can decrease sunburn protection and cause more pesticide to be absorbed through the skin.
• Don’t use repellents under clothing.
• Don’t use repellents on cuts or irritated skin.
• Don’t use repellents near the mouth or eyes— and use them sparingly around the ears. When using spray products, spray the product onto your hands first and then apply it to your face.
• Wash your hands after applying repellent.

Sources:
www.harvard.ma.us/Pages/HarvardMA_BComm/BOH
www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito
www.ewg.org/research/newgs-guide-bug-repellents