Michelle,
I'm also looking for DEET-free, and we had an extensive conversation about this just a few weeks ago!
I wrote about the findings: Summary of Toxicity Reports for insect repellents, and joanna mentioned Bug Band which sounds great. The only "proven-effective" natural insect repellent for direct skin is Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (sold as Repel).
For my toddler son, I am using the Bug Band for indirect use (hanging from the back of his hat or chair, not on arm), and Repel on his legs and arms. Repel should not get into eyes, so I'm hoping his big, bald, cute forehead does attract mosquitoes...if it does, I may try IR3535.
According to CDC and EPA, "products containing these active ingredients typically provide reasonably long-lasting protection":
Traditional pesticides:
• DEET (Chemical Name: N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide or N,N-diethly-3-methyl-
benzamide)
• Picaridin (KBR 3023, Chemical Name: 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-
piperidinecarboxylic acid 1-methylpropyl ester )
Derived from plant and natural ingredients:
• Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus* or PMD (Chemical Name: para-Menthane-3,8-
diol)the synthesized version of oil of lemon eucalyptus
• IR3535 (Chemical Name: 3-[N-Butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid, ethyl
ester)
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Michelle,
I'm also looking for DEET-free, and we had an extensive conversation about this just a few weeks ago!
I wrote about the findings: Summary of Toxicity Reports for insect repellents, and joanna mentioned Bug Band which sounds great. The only "proven-effective" natural insect repellent for direct skin is Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (sold as Repel).
For my toddler son, I am using the Bug Band for indirect use (hanging from the back of his hat or chair, not on arm), and Repel on his legs and arms. Repel should not get into eyes, so I'm hoping his big, bald, cute forehead does attract mosquitoes...if it does, I may try IR3535.
According to CDC and EPA, "products containing these active ingredients typically provide reasonably long-lasting protection":
Traditional pesticides:
• DEET (Chemical Name: N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide or N,N-diethly-3-methyl-
benzamide)
• Picaridin (KBR 3023, Chemical Name: 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-
piperidinecarboxylic acid 1-methylpropyl ester )
Derived from plant and natural ingredients:
June 18, 2009 - 2:50pm• Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus* or PMD (Chemical Name: para-Menthane-3,8-
diol)the synthesized version of oil of lemon eucalyptus
• IR3535 (Chemical Name: 3-[N-Butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid, ethyl
ester)
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