Research Shows That Mosquito Repellants Must Have DEET or Icaridin in Order to Keep the Insects Away

Nashia Baker
·2 min read

Having citronella candles and other bug repellant on hand is key when battling mosquitos during the summer months. According to Good News Network, there are a few methods, confirmed by science, that will repel these insects. First off, mosquitos are attracted to humans and animals based on CO2 from breath. Once they get close, they will use other signals, like heat and olfactory scents, to land on people or pets. Sweating boosts olfactory smells, which can stem from lactic acid and ammonia, and allows mosquitos to sense your chemicals. To effectively keep mosquitos at bay, scientists say that your repellants should have two things: deet and icaridin.

mosquito biting skin
mosquito biting skin

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DEET, a formally called N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, has been long revered as a chemical that can repel mosquitos because it is safe for consumer use. "This repellent has been subjected to more scientific and toxicological scrutiny than any other repellent substance," however, a 2002 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, noted. "DEET has a remarkable safety profile after 40 years of use and nearly eight billion human applications." Plus, "when applied with common sense, DEET-based repellents can be expected to provide a safe as well as long-lasting repellent effect."

Related: 11 Natural Mosquito Repellents to Keep Bugs at Bay This Summer

Icaridin, also known as picaridin, is another chemical that protects against mosquitos. This altnerative, created German chemical company Bayer, repels the insects for up to seven hours. Brands like Cutter Advanced, Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus, and Autan feature icaridin as a leading ingredient.

While citronella candles are go-tos in order to keep mosquitos off the premises, they aren't nearly as effective with their ingredients as products that include DEET and icaridin. Linalool and geraniol in citronella candles keep 85 percent and 71 percent of mosquitos away, but it's most helpful to follow these steps: "You should stay as scent-free as possible, wear light clothes, avoid bogs, and use an effective repellent (such as those containing DEET or icaridin)," Ada McVean told Canada's McGill Office for Science and Society.