great outdoors. There are so many to choose from so, what should you be looking for?
When buying an insect repellent, you should read the label for active ingredients. The active ingredients determine the types of insects the product repels and how long you are protected from those insects. Here are some active ingredients commonly used in insect repellents and the length of time they provide protection:
1. DEET
DEET is considered as the best repellent to use if you are going to be exposed to disease-carrying insects. If you will be spending time outside in another country or your own backyard, DEET protects against mosquitos, ticks, biting insects and chiggers. DEET is applied to the skin in a spray, foam or a wipe. Depending on the concentration, it can protect for 2 to 5 hours.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not recommend the use of products with DEET on babies less than 2 months old. Although DEET is considered safe for children, caution should be taken when applying.
DEET should not be applied underneath clothing or applied more often than what is recommended on