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Mosquito, Tick and Biting Fly Repellents
- Repellents are still the best defense -
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Summary: Repellents containing DEET are still the best defense against mosquitoes, ticks and biting flies. Use the lowest effective concentration of DEET. This is usually 10% for children and 30% for adults.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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 Repellents are still your best defense against mosquitoes, other biting flies and ticks. But, there is a lot of confusion about which repellents are most effective and safe. First take a look at the Insect Repellents article below for some background information. Next, see our suggestions below for which repellents are most appropriate for certain activities. Finally, we list some online sources for the various repellents.
Insect Repellents (pdf)
Products containing DEET are still the most effective but check here for additional information. Also see update in the May, 2005 newsletter for a new repellent now available in the US.
common misspelling: mosquito repelant
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Yellow fever mosquito Line drawing of adult mosquitoes.
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What repellent should you use, and when?
Gardeners should use a DEET-based repellent of less than 30% DEET or one of the alternatives like Bite Blocker or Cutter Advanced.
Hikers should take special precautions against ticks since they are more likely to pass through tick habitat. Treat socks and shoes with permethrin (see below) and legs and arms with a DEET-based repellent of 30% or less. If mosquitoes and black flies are also a problem see comments for hunters and campers.
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Hunters and campers can treat tents and clothing with permethrin if mosquito or black fly pressure is high and use a DEET-based repellent of less than 50% concentration. If mosquito and black fly pressure is fairly low use a DEET-based product of less than 30% or a DEET-alternative like Bite Blocker or Cutter Advanced.
Horse owners should treat horses with fly repellents whenever mosquito or biting fly pressure is high. Even if horses have been vaccinated against West Nile virus these repellents will reduce annoyance from mosquito bites and protect against biting flies that cause sweet itch.
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Mosquito & biting fly repellents
Mosquito Halt (for horses) - Horses are highly susceptible to the mosquito-borne West Nile Virus and about 30-40% of infected animals may die from the disease. Be sure to have your horses vaccinated (WNV Vaccine) but also use repellents especially in late summer.
DEET (adults)- I prefer products in pump, non-aerosol sprayers and this concentration, less than 30%, is ideal for hunters and hikers. DEET (children)- Kids need a lower concentration of DEET. Generally less than 10% is suggested.
Cutter Advanced (picaridin) - The newest mosquito repellent in the US market. As effective as low concentration DEET but the US product is not labelled for ticks. See the CDCs Picaridin Factsheet (pdf).
 Bite Blocker Lotion (soybean + tropical oils) - As effective as low concentration DEET against mosquitoes and black flies.
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Treat clothing and gear with permethrin
Permethrin is an insecticide that can be safely applied to clothing and gear, but not skin, to protect against mosquitoes, black flies, ticks, etc. Application is by spray or soaking. Treated cloth remains effective for several weeks even when washed. A permethrin-based spray (right) for clothing and gear is now available which kills mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies on contact. Permethrin should not be applied to skin.
CDC Factsheet About Mosquito Repellents
Centers for Disease Control suggestions regarding the use of insect repellents.
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.
Please see the Disclaimer statements as well (sorry, but these are necessary).
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