Protecting yourself from mosquito and tick bites (2024)

Instructions

• Follow instructions on the product label and respect the application periods indicated
• Apply product in small quantities and only on areas of the body not protected by clothing
• Do not apply product on skin that is irritated or sunburnt, as well as on cuts and scratches
• Should the mosquito repellent go in your eyes, rinse immediately with water
• When you no longer need protection, wash your skin with soap and water
• Apply mosquito repellent again after going in water as it removes product from the skin

Instructions for using repellents on children

• Limit the number of mosquito repellent applications on children 12 years old and younger. Do not apply product near their eyes, mouth or hands. To prevent mosquito bites on their head or face, apply mosquito repellent on their hat or cap
• Do not allow children to apply mosquito repellent to themselves, always do it for them
• If you suspect that your child has an allergic reaction to a mosquito repellent, wash their skin and consult a doctor immediately. Show the doctor the product you have used

Mosquito repellent and sunscreen

If you need to protect yourself from mosquitoes and the sun at the same time:

• Apply the sunscreen first and let it penetrate your skin,preferably about15 minutes, before applying mosquito repellent. This limits the amount of mosquito repellent absorbed
• Do not use products that claim to combine sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Sunscreen must be applied more generously and more often than mosquito repellent

Choose the right mosquito repellent

For greater efficiency, use a repellent recommended by age group.

There are many types of mosquito repellents with varying active ingredients. The active ingredients are what chases away mosquitoes and ticks.

To protect yourself from mosquito bites, it is recommended you use a DEET, icaridin, lemon eucalyptus, or soybean oil-based mosquito repellent. To protect yourself from tick bites, use DEET or icaridin-based products.

Do not use citronella-based mosquito repellents on infants and young children because these products generally offer less than 1 hour of protection. Other essential oil products last less than 2 hours and are not the best option for protection against mosquito bites. However, if approved, such products are an alternative for short periods of exposure for people older than 3 provided that instructions on the labels are followed. These products are not effective against ticks.

Use the table below to determine which repellent to use and how to use it safely.

Recognizing the active ingredients in repellents

Scientific names of active ingredients on product labels may vary:

• DEET is also known as ‘N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide’
• Icaridine is also known as ‘picaridine’ or ‘KBR 3023’

Lemon eucalyptus is also known ‘lemon eucalyptus oil’ or ‘p-menthane 3.8-diol’ (PMD). Lemon eucalyptus should not be confused with products that contain eucalyptus oil and lemon oil.

The protection time against tick bites is generally shorter than that against mosquito bites.