Insect Repellent Information

Insect repellents help people reduce their exposure to mosquito bites that may carry potentially serious viruses such as encephalitis, West Nile virus and Lyme disease, and allow them to continue to play and work outdoors.

The most effective repellents contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), which is an ingredient used to repel pests like mosquitoes and ticks. DEET has been tested against a variety of biting insects and has been shown to be very effective.

The more DEET a repellent contains the longer time it can protect you from mosquito bites. A higher percentage of DEET in a repellent does not mean that your protection is better, just that it lasts longer.

DEET is the most effective and best-studied insect repellent available. (Fradin, 1998). Studies using humans and mosquitoes report that only products containing DEET offer long-lasting protection after a single application. (Fradin and Day, 2002)

Yes, products containing DEET are very safe when used according to directions. Because DEET is so widely used, a great deal of testing has been done. When manufacturers seek registration with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency for products such as DEET, laboratory testing regarding both short-term and long-term health effects must be carried out. Over the long history of DEET use, very few confirmed incidents of toxic reactions to DEET have occurred when the product is used properly.

As an outdoor worker you need to be aware of mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, ants and centipedes that are in the area. Some pack an ugly bite or sting, while others carry a variety of diseases such as encephalitis, West Nile Virus and Lyme disease.

All three diseases are carried by ticks or mosquitoes. Therefore, an effective insect repellent that contains DEET should be used. If possible, you should wear proper clothing such as long sleeved shirts and pants that fit tightly around your wrists and ankles.

The typical symptoms are headache, fever, and extreme lethargy, which can lead eventually to coma, double vision, delirium, deafness, and facial palsy which often occur in the acute stage of the disease. The after effects of encephalitis may include deafness, epilepsy and dementia.

Most infections are mild and symptoms include fever, headache, body aches and occasionally a rash. More severe infection may lead to tremors, coma, paralysis and on rare occasions death.

The first sign of Lyme disease is often a rash at the site of the tick bite. The rash usually grows to a raised, red circle that has a clear center and is warm to the touch. Lyme disease can also cause flu-like symptoms, headache nausea.

If a tick is attached, remove it immediately with tweezers. Gently grasp the tick as close as possible to the skin and slowly pull it away. If tweezers are not available, fingers covered with tissue paper can be used.

Do not attempt to remove the tick with petroleum jelly, hot objects such as matches or cigarettes, or by other methods. After handling ticks, be sure to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the most common fatal tick-borne disease in the United States and is carried by the American dog tick. As a precaution, people should check at least twice a day for attached ticks. Using an effective repellent and wearing protective clothing is recommended.