Insect Repellent Safety

Insect repellents come in a variety of forms: sprays, lotions, wipes and more. In addition to containing active ingredients that can be toxic to humans and animals, insect repellent is applied to the skin. This raises concerns about its safety. Over the years, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which has regulated over 82,000 chemicals used in consumer products since it was passed by Congress in 1976, has been amended several times to include additional chemicals, including many insect repellents and their active ingredients, into the new chemicals inventory.

Insect Repellent Safety

Remember these important points to use repellents safely:

Applying the Product

• Read and follow the label directions to ensure proper use;  be sure you understand how much to apply.
• Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not use under clothing.
• Do not apply near eyes and mouth, and apply sparingly around ears.
• When using sprays, do not spray directly into face; spray on hands first and then apply to face.
• Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
• Do not spray in enclosed areas.
• Avoid breathing a spray product.
• Do not use it near food.

Other Safety Tips

• Check the label to see if there are warnings about flammability. If so, do not use around open flames or lit cigarettes.
• After returning indoors, wash treated skin and clothes with soap and water.
• Do not use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals.
• Most insect repellents do not work against lice or fleas.
• Store insect repellents safely out of the reach of children, in a locked utility cabinet or garden shed.
• Use other preventive actions to avoid getting bitten by:
  • Mosquitoes
  • Ticks

Repellents and Children

We advise consumers to always read and follow label directions in using any pesticide product, including insect repellents.

Because children frequently put their hands in their eyes and mouths, EPA recommends that all repellent products have the following precautionary statements related to children on their labels:

• Do not allow children to handle this product, and do not apply to children’s hands. When using on children, apply to your own hands and then put it on the child.
• After returning indoors, wash your child’s treated skin and clothes with soap and water or bathe.

According to the product labels, some oil of lemon eucalyptus products should not be used on children under the age of three. There are no restrictions for use on children under three years of age for certain insect repellent products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus as their sole active ingredient at concentrations of 30% or less.

Applicants seeking to amend restrictive language from the labels of their EPA registered OLE products, at the specifications described above, must first submit an application to EPA. In doing so, applicants must consider their source of OLE and acknowledge where data compensations might apply.

Questions often arise about use of DEET on children. DEET is approved for use on children with no age restriction. Also, there is no restriction on the percentage of DEET in the product for use on children, since data do not show any difference in effects between young animals and adult animals in tests done for product registration. There also are no data showing incidents that would lead us to believe there is a need to restrict the use of DEET.

Always store insect repellents safely out of the reach of children.

If you are concerned about using repellent products on children you may wish to consult a health care provider for advice or contact the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)EXITEXIT EPA WEBSITE  or through their toll-free number, 1-800-858-7378.

Maximizing Effectiveness

Apply and re-apply a repellent according to the label instructions. Don’t overuse the products, but be sure to apply the amount of repellent indicated by the label. If you don’t follow the label directions, the product may not be as effective as you expect. The label on the insect repellent product is your guide to using these products safely and effectively. The effectiveness of the product can vary due to conditions such as:

• Physical activity/perspiration.
• Water exposure.
• Air temperature.
• How attractive you are to mosquitoes and ticks; every person is different.

Insect Repellent Safety

Insect repellents are an essential part of any camping or hiking trip, but they can be harmful if not used properly. Here are a few tips for making sure you’re using your insect repellent safely:

1. Don’t use insect repellents on children under 2 months old

2. Always read the label before applying an insect repellent

3. Apply insect repellents to exposed skin only, not to the eyes, mouth, or nose

4. Do not apply insect repellents over cuts or irritated skin

List Of Insect Repellent Safety