Mosquito Repellants

DEET

Mosquito repellants with DEET have been proven to be the most effective at repelling mosquitoes. They are safe and long lasting in comparison to other repellants. They come in a variety of options. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says mosquito repellents that contain DEET or picaridin are safe for adults and children over the age of 2 months, when used correctly. It is recommended to use DEET repellants with a smaller percentage of DEET on children. The common percentage of DEET found in sold repellants is 25%. When applying any repellant it is important to cover all exposed areas (avoiding hands and face) as well as your clothes. Mosquitoes will bite through your clothing. Although DEET is the most recommended of the repellants there are several other options as well.

For more information on DEET, visit the EPA's website

Picaridin

If used in higher concentrations can be almost as effective as DEET. You may have to reapply more often than products containing DEET.

Natural Repellants

Oil of citronella, IR3535, and Oil of eucalyptus have all been proven to provide some repellency to mosquitoes. They will have to be reapplied more often than DEET or Picaridin because their repellency is short-lived.

Yard Sprays

Yard sprays work better in enclosed spaces. Mosquitoes tend to rest in shaded areas or areas where they can get away from the elements such as porches, trees, and bushes. Most people encounter mosquitoes in high-traffic areas like doorways. Spraying these areas with yard spray can reduce the current mosquito populations. However, sprays do not leave a long lasting residue so more mosquitoes may move in during the evening or night (peak hours). You may need to respray the area the next day. Yard sprays can be good for back porches before having a BBQ or outdoor gathering. Yard sprays come in aerosols or liquid sprays to spread with a water hose.

Yard Foggers

Yard foggers provide relief from mosquitoes for several hours when enjoying backyard activities. Be sure to cover bushes, fence lines, porches, and shaded areas. Foggers and their pesticides are sold at many local stores, including Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, and local feed and hardware stores and work with propane and electric. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to use.

Additional Resources

For more information on Backyard Control, visit the Source Reduction Page.

For more questions or concerns, call 1-800-842-5622 or email mosquito.control@co.galveston.tx.us