Insect Repellents

Notes/Disclaimers

No single commercially available insect repellent is effective against all the biters that are likely to be encountered in Australia.

Different species of flies and mosquitoes react differently to particular repellents and therefore more than one product may be needed to stay bite-free.

No insect repellent will deter stingers such as bees and wasps.

The information listed here is time sensitive. Manufacturers may have changed the name and/or composition of their products or they may no longer be available.

New, more efficacious products may be available.

Ingredients of Insect Repellents

  • N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (diethyl toluamide) (deet)

This is a powerful mosquito repellent, particularly against the culcine species, carrier of Murray Valley encephalitis and the Ross River virus.

  • 2-ethyl-1,3 hexanediol (ethyl hexane diol) (e-hex)

This is a good mosquito repellent against the other main group of mosquitoes, anopheline, which carry malaria.

  • di-n-propyl isocinchomeronate

This will repel bush flies.

  • N-octyl-bicycloheptene dicarboximide

This will repel bush flies.

  • bisbutenylene tetrahydrofurfural

Repels stable flies and other biting flies.

  • Pyrethrins

Kills insect on contact.

  • Tetramethrin

Repels and kills insects.

  • Bioresmethrin

Repels and kills insects. 

Application

Coat all exposed skin with the repellent. Mosquitoes will find any point not covered. Some insects will bite through clothing so it is important that the repellent is also applied to clothes. Increase the quantity of insect repellent applied to increase the protection.

Keep away from eyes, nose and mouth and, in the case of deet, away from the groin, skin folds and other sensitive areas. Do not apply to spectacle frames or plastics.

Duration of Protection

The length of protection is dependent on many factors, such as temperature and wind. High temperatures will reduce the duration of protection. Exposure to even a gentle breeze can reduce the length of protection by up to half.

Where clothing rubs on skin, repellent will lost rapidly. Swimming, showering or being rained on will wash off most repellents. Sweating also reduces efficacy (desired effect) and at the same time attracts insects. Obviously, reapply as efficacy reduces.

A good repellent will provide four hours protection under ideal conditions. Wind and water reduce the amount of time a repellent is effective.

BRAND TYPE DIETHYL
TOLUAMIDE		 PROPYL -ISOCIN-CHOMERANATE N-OCTYL-
DICARBOXIMIDE
Aerogard Spray 190.0 43.5 10.0
Aerogard Lotion 170.0 49.5 18.0
Aerogard Roll On 114.7 41.8 27.7
Skintastic Spray 69.7 n/k n/k
Rid Cream 160.0 10.0 20.0
Rid Roll On 160.0 10.0 20.0
Rid Spray 100.0 20.0 15.0
Off Spray 190.0 43.3 10.0
Pea Beu Spray 52.2 11.0 11.0
Scram Spray 90.0 (E-hex) 40.0 8.0

 

© Kim Epton 2013-2019
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