DEET vs Picaridin for mosquito protection

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Ivan Rothman

Ivan Rothman

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I’ve been a long term user of DEET mainly in form of Ultrathon. But it is not the most pleasant product to use and it will damage plastic components if it gets on camera equipment
Lately I’ve seen reports on Picaridin that state it equals DEET in mosquito and tick prevention and that it will not harm equipment
Has anyone had experience using Picaridin?
is it better to use Picaridin as a spray or as a lotion?
 
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Ivan Rothman said:
I’ve been a long term user of DEET mainly in form of Ultrathon. But it is not the most pleasant product to use and it will damage plastic components if it gets on camera equipment
Lately I’ve seen reports on Picaridin that state it equals DEET in mosquito and tick prevention and that it will not harm equipment
Has anyone had experience using Picaridin?
is it better to use Picaridin as a spray or as a lotion?
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I switched from DEET to Picardin spray and wipes a number of years ago due to the plastics damage issue and have used it in a number of trips to the Amazon. I am not sure it is as good as DEET (hard to do a controlled experiment) but it is effective--I always get some bites in a place like the Amazon regardless of what I use, but a manageable number with either product. I take a spray bottle and use that before I go out each time, and I carry the wipes to "touch up" if needed while out. I have carried a small amount of DEET with me as a backup but have never used it even in heavy mosquito environments.
 
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The important consideration with picaridin is to get a 15 or 20 percent solution. Many of the sprays sold have lower concentrations and so do not work as well.

I use the Sawyer product that comes in pump spray bottle and a little goes a long way. I use permethrin on my socks, pants, and shirts so the picaridin is only used on the tops of my hands, my neck, ears, and face. My wife and I spent 2 weeks in Cambodia and often saw dense swarms of mosquitoes but we did not get a single bite during our trip and walks through the temple grounds and surrounding countryside. That was our first use of permethrin and now I treat our clothing before each trip.
 
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I prefer Picaridin to DEET, and I pair it by applying Premethrin to my clothing via Insect Shield. The two together are a pretty good combo. I like the Picaridin lotion, it's unscented and not greasy but Off makes a dry spray version now. And you don't have to worry about it melting synthetics like with DEET
 
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I can't remember the last time I used DEET. It was probably after I melted something that I touched. Anyway, I stick with Picaridin when applying repellent to my skin. I apply Permethrin to my clothing before any trip to South America. That, used in combination with Picaridin, do a great job at protecting against mosquitoes and chiggers. I think the tradeoff with the Picaridin vs DEET is that you have to Picaridin more often, but it still last for hours from my experience.
 
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I started using this after someone I know recommended it and it works really well, have not used DEET since. They also sell it on Amazon and it comes 2 days after you order it!

www.murphysnaturals.com

LEMON EUCALYPTUS OIL MOSQUITO & TICK REPELLENT SPRAY

Powered by the only plant-based active ingredient recommended by the CDC as an alternative to DEET. Repels mosquitoes, including those that may carry Zika Virus, West Nile Virus, Dengue Virus and Chikungunya Virus, for up to 6 hours. Provides 4 hours of protection against Deer Ticks, which may...
www.murphysnaturals.com www.murphysnaturals.com
 
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I will use both DEET and Picaridin in circumstances where insects are serious business. I will spray DEET on my socks and around my neck area, but I will use Picaridin for my hands and face. And I treat my clothing with Permethrin before the trip. I do think that DEET is most effective and longer-lasting, but by now the problems with dissolving one's gear are well-known and I avoid this as best I can.
 
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I will never use Deet again. As noted above you want the higher % Picaridin. You can spray it on your clothing as well and will not have any detrimental affects. And it lasts longer as well. We were in Maine during the 'bug' season and not one bite! We use the spray,
 
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gdecamp said:
I started using this after someone I know recommended it and it works really well, have not used DEET since. They also sell it on Amazon and it comes 2 days after you order it!

www.murphysnaturals.com

LEMON EUCALYPTUS OIL MOSQUITO & TICK REPELLENT SPRAY

Powered by the only plant-based active ingredient recommended by the CDC as an alternative to DEET. Repels mosquitoes, including those that may carry Zika Virus, West Nile Virus, Dengue Virus and Chikungunya Virus, for up to 6 hours. Provides 4 hours of protection against Deer Ticks, which may...
www.murphysnaturals.com www.murphysnaturals.com
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I use Repel Lemon Eucalyptus as George recommends above
 
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I'm working on a Costco 5 pack of DEET and probably won't change until that runs out. I have not had problems with plastic but appreciate the warning!

None of the sprays work on flies and I have used Picaridin in the past. Face Fly is a euphemism, we know where else they land. The best defense I've found is a Neck Fan, about $17. AMACOOL Neck Fan 2600mah Battery Operated Neckband Fan Hand-Free Wearable Personal Fan for Hot Flashes Home Office Travel Outdoor Sports (Aqua Blue)AMACOOL Neck Fan 2600mah Battery Operated Neckband Fan Hand-Free Wearable Pe…)
 
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Mal Paso said:
I'm working on a Costco 5 pack of DEET and probably won't change until that runs out. I have not had problems with plastic but appreciate the warning!

None of the sprays work on flies and I have used Picaridin in the past. Face Fly is a euphemism, we know where else they land. The best defense I've found is a Neck Fan, about $17. AMACOOL Neck Fan 2600mah Battery Operated Neckband Fan Hand-Free Wearable Personal Fan for Hot Flashes Home Office Travel Outdoor Sports (Aqua Blue)AMACOOL Neck Fan 2600mah Battery Operated Neckband Fan Hand-Free Wearable Pe…)
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The best protection for flies or any other insect is the BUGSHIRT
BUGSHIRT.com
I always travel with it
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Mal Paso said:
I'm working on a Costco 5 pack of DEET and probably won't change until that runs out. I have not had problems with plastic but appreciate the warning!

None of the sprays work on flies and I have used Picaridin in the past. Face Fly is a euphemism, we know where else they land. The best defense I've found is a Neck Fan, about $17. AMACOOL Neck Fan 2600mah Battery Operated Neckband Fan Hand-Free Wearable Personal Fan for Hot Flashes Home Office Travel Outdoor Sports (Aqua Blue)AMACOOL Neck Fan 2600mah Battery Operated Neckband Fan Hand-Free Wearable Pe…)
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Yeah, I still have several small containers of DEET (Ben's) from decades ago, which is why I still use it for protection of "parts" that won't contact my optics. DEET apparently has a virtually unlimited shelf life and I feel obliged to use up what I already have.
 
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gdecamp said:
I started using this after someone I know recommended it and it works really well, have not used DEET since. They also sell it on Amazon and it comes 2 days after you order it!

www.murphysnaturals.com

LEMON EUCALYPTUS OIL MOSQUITO & TICK REPELLENT SPRAY

Powered by the only plant-based active ingredient recommended by the CDC as an alternative to DEET. Repels mosquitoes, including those that may carry Zika Virus, West Nile Virus, Dengue Virus and Chikungunya Virus, for up to 6 hours. Provides 4 hours of protection against Deer Ticks, which may...
www.murphysnaturals.com www.murphysnaturals.com
Click to expand...

I also use a natural spray like this when hiking. If I'm sitting still near a pond, especially if it's during black fly season, I simply wear a bug net. I also prefer a bug net if I'm somewhere with a high rate of mosquito transmitted diseases, such as the south pacific or southeast Asia. Much better than covering yourself with poison and still getting bit.
 
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Mal Paso said:
I was working with my neighbor two days ago. He had a hat with full screen all the way around and down past his shoulders. Somehow the flies got inside the net and really drove him crazy.
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You have to be careful with the size of the mesh. There are a bunch of different sizes and one that is larger and only made to stop mosquitos, will allow black flies and smaller bugs right through. I found this out the hard way during black fly season in Maine. If you get one designed for no-see-ums it will keep everything out, but it might be a little hot on those hot humid days with no wind. If they are some how getting under the net, you can simply use a shorter net and tuck it into the neck line on your shirt, or if you need a full bug shirt, tuck it into your waist band.
 
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Mal Paso said:
I was working with my neighbor two days ago. He had a hat with full screen all the way around and down past his shoulders. Somehow the flies got inside the net and really drove him crazy.
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Nothing gets past the bug shirt. It is lightweight and comfortable even in hot weather. It has elastic around wrists and waist so nothing gets in that way. Mesh over head when zipped up will let nothing in and can easily see and photograph through it. For complete protection, I also wear light weight gloves and I can put elastic around my lower legs so they can't get under my pants.
 
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I use Permethrin clothing treatment. It is not a repellent. It is a pesticide that kills mosquitos, black flies and ticks, or anything else crawling on you. You spray on your clothing and let dry, usually over night. It works very good for keeping mosquitoes away.
 
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I got a thumb print in a lens hood from too much deet on my hands. Since they I try to void and use treated clothing as if needed I use Picaridin
 
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I have a pair of knee-high socks (truth be told they are compression socks!) and a pair of jeans that I have treated with Permethrin and it works REALLY well. (Do NOT spray it on your skin!!!). I respray the clothing every 5 weeks or after a few washings to stay safe.

We have a significant problem with ticks and Lyme's Disease here in SE Minnesota, especially in the spring and this solution has worked exceptionally well for me.

I unfortunately contracted Lyme's a number of years ago and it is terrible! When I went to the Doctor I told him "I either have heart failure or I have Lyme's Disease!". I could not even walk down to the mailbox! All is good now.

Another really good solution is:

Lymeez 3D Mesh Tick Repelling Leg Gaiters​

I have watched ticks crawl up my gaiters and then fall off dead! Wonderful!!! They are easy to put on and off and they work. Many of the DNR Field Staff here wear them.



Permethrin Clothing & Gear Insect Repellent​


Do not fool around with Lyme's Disease!!!!
 
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Andrew Lamberson said:
I have a pair of knee-high socks (truth be told they are compression socks!) and a pair of jeans that I have treated with Permethrin and it works REALLY well. (Do NOT spray it on your skin!!!). I respray the clothing every 5 weeks or after a few washings to stay safe.

We have a significant problem with ticks and Lyme's Disease here in SE Minnesota, especially in the spring and this solution has worked exceptionally well for me.

I unfortunately contracted Lyme's a number of years ago and it is terrible! When I went to the Doctor I told him "I either have heart failure or I have Lyme's Disease!". I could not even walk down to the mailbox! All is good now.

Another really good solution is:

Lymeez 3D Mesh Tick Repelling Leg Gaiters​

I have watched ticks crawl up my gaiters and then fall off dead! Wonderful!!! They are easy to put on and off and they work. Many of the DNR Field Staff here wear them.



Permethrin Clothing & Gear Insect Repellent​


Do not fool around with Lyme's Disease!!!!
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The Israelis did a double blind study giving half the group a prophylactic dose of antibiotic within 24 hours of a suspected bite. None of the people in the antibiotic group developed Lyme's Disease, several in the control group did. We had a tick doctor here who was proactive and would give you an extra prescription to cary with you in case you got bitten again. US medicine has largely ignored the problem but the number of doctors who are aware has grown in recent years. If you suspect Lyme's, see a doctor right away. A couple days of antibiotics beats 2 weeks of antibiotics or infusions.
 
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@Andrew Lamberson glad you're all better now! I'm not far northeast of you (just into WI from the Cities) and ticks and Lyme's are always a concern. I've been spraying my socks and pants with permethrin for years, I think I might pick up a pair of those gaiters. You can never be too safe, and like you said, do not fool around with Lyme's Disease! Thanks for the links!
 
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Mal Paso said:
The Israelis did a double blind study giving half the group a prophylactic dose of antibiotic within 24 hours of a suspected bite. None of the people in the antibiotic group developed Lyme's Disease, several in the control group did. We had a tick doctor here who was proactive and would give you an extra prescription to cary with you in case you got bitten again. US medicine has largely ignored the problem but the number of doctors who are aware has grown in recent years. If you suspect Lyme's, see a doctor right away. A couple days of antibiotics beats 2 weeks of antibiotics or infusions.
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I would make two points regarding prophylaxis for Lyme disease. “Medicine has not ignored Lyme disease”, in fact, a vaccine for Lyme disease was previously marketed in the United States. LYMERix®, was discontinued by the manufacturer in 2002, citing insufficient consumer demand. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (.gov) https://www.cdc.gov › lyme › prev › vaccine

The second would regard relying on prophylactic antibiotic therapy and not taking precautions such as DEET, picardin, and permethrin. My former partner, while hiking in Maine, discovered a tick and received the standard prophylactic antibiotic treatment from his physician. Shortly afterward he noted the characteristic “bullseye” rash of Lyme infection. Being a physician he recognized he had the first stage of Lyme disease (confirmed by serological testing) and received treatment after his prophylactic treatment failed. He was fortunate to recognize the condition, especially since only ~70% of infected patients develop the rash.

Perhaps the point is to stress is the use of efforts to minimize tick exposure and contact as many have expressed in this series of comments. Later stage Lyme disease can be devastating and I agree with the comment: “If you suspect Lyme's, see a doctor right away.”
 
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Medicine in the US has not ignored Lyme disease and there are clear guidelines for when to use prophylaxis. Majority of infections come from nymphal stage of deer tick rather than adult stage of tick, but can be from both. Generally tick must be attached to skin for over 36 hours while it is becoming engorged (enlarged) in order for disease to occur. The guidelines for prophylaxis are that you identify the tick as a deer tick and remove it and that the tick is estimated to have been attached for 36 hour or more, based on amount of engorgement (size) or time of expected exposure. Then prophylaxis with a single dose of doxycycline is indicated.
 
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