DEET is commonly used to prevent mosquito bites.
Rather than killing insects, DEET repels insects away from your skin. The U.S. Army developed DEET, short for N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, in 1946. DEET became available to the public in 1957, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Although DEET has undergone testing for human safety, you can use other alternatives. These products have also undergone testing and deemed safe for human use.
Picaridin
You can use Picaridin as a repellent for mosquitoes, biting flies, ticks and chiggers, according to the EPA. Originally used in Europe and Australia (under the name Icaridin), Picaridin became available to the United States in 2005. Unlike DEET, Picaridin doesn't smell and may not aggravate your skin. Though rare, DEET can cause seizures in children, confusion and slurred speech, said the Illinois Department of Public Health. Picaridin also won't damage plastics, watch crystals and some forms of fabrics, such as rayon.
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
Considered a natural product, oil of lemon eucalyptus offers as much protection as the lower DEET concentrations (10 percent and less). DEET comes in concentrations of 4 to 100 percent. Introduced in the 1940s, oil of lemon eucalyptus helps to kill mites and insects. You can find oil of lemon eucalyptus in many insect repellent lotions and sprays. Unlike DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus doesn't have a greasy feel after application, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Oil of Citronella
Oil of citronella is another natural product. Citronella has a distinctive odor, which helps to cover the carbon dioxide expressed by your body, according to the EPA. Oil of citronella is commonly used in candle repellents. Application methods include rub-on products, gels, towelettes, lotions and sprays. Oil of citronella helps to repel common pests such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and flies.
Other Products
IR3535 repels insects such as mosquitoes, biting flies and ticks. You can find IR3535 in sprays and lotions. Outdoor products include permethrin, allethrin and metofluthrin. You should not use these products on your skin. You can apply permethrin to items such as clothing, tents, sleeping bags and sleeping nets to repel insects. You can find allethrin in mosquito coils, which you light like a candle to release into the air as a repellent. You can also find allethrin for use in camping lanterns and candles. Metofluthrin comes in strips you can place into a cartridge to wear, or strips you can place around your yard to repel bugs.
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