DEET Free Insect Repellent
DEET is an abbreviation for N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, a chemical developed by the United States Army and made available to the general public in the mid 20th century. When applied correctly to clothing or skin, DEET provides several hours of protection against biting insects.
DEET free natural insect repellent spray clinically proven to protect against malaria. Repels mosquitoes, midges, gnats, sandflies, ticks and other biting insects. Non-greasy with a fresh, pleasant smell. Non-toxic and kind to the environment.
While DEET has long been chosen as an insect repellent because it has very effective insect repellent properties and is reportedly safe, some people may choose to wear a DEET free insect repellent instead.
DEET Free Insect Repellent?
Why might people choose a DEET free insect repellent?
- Some people are sensitive to DEET and there are reports of it causing skin reactions and eye irritations
- Many people would simply prefer not to put chemicals on their skin and would rather use natural products
- DEET can have a chemical smell and a greasy feel (although the newer repellents may be more pleasant to use)
- DEET can be damaging to plastics and other man made materials including glasses, clothing and jewellery because it is a solvent
- Some people have concerns about DEET's environmental safety
DEET Free Natural Insect Repellent
There is a range of DEET free insect repellents and natural insect repellents that provide several hours of protection against insect bites.
Some ingredients to look out for in DEET free insect repellents include picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and citronella. Soybean oil, geranium oil and peppermint oil may also have insect repelling properties, but there is some debate over their effectiveness.
When deciding to use a DEET free insect repellent, choose an alternative repellent carefully and don't become vulnerable to attacks from mosquitoes or other biting insects, especially when in an area where there is a risk of insect-borne diseases such as malaria. In such circumstances, consider using a DEET free insect repellent which provides up to eight hours of protection.
DEET has been used safely for decades, and it is proven to provide excellent protection against insect bites. People are unlikely to suffer any ill effects if they use a repellent containing around 30 percent DEET and follow safety instructions.