#picaridin

Anyway this post is about how there is in fact an effective, long-lasting mosquito repellent besides DEET. It is called picaridin, and it’s not very expensive or hard to get or anything. It doesn’t melt plastics, which DEET does (PSA! DEET and the repellent ingredient IR3535 can both melt synthetics, which often include your clothes.) Picaridin is sometimes better for people with skin sensitivities. (I have scent migraine triggers and it’s better for me than DEET.) Some people are sensitive to picaridin who don’t react to DEET, however: life is a rich tapestry.

There are other effective ingredients such as Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) but they aren’t considered as long-lasting. I’m not saying there aren’t more options, just handing you a tract about picaridin. Which is not your lord and savior, but does exist and work, and does not melt your sunglasses.

Obviously, I’m not a mosquito repellent scientist, and you should read the directions. The science says DEET is better in some ways, and picaridin is better in some ways. It’s not magic, but it works way better for my life and I wish I had known about it sooner.

I’m writing this because I saw a post the other day warning about mosquito-borne diseases and linking a study from last year which concluded that DEET, picaridin, and OLE uncomplicatedly work. Yet the post, the headline and the take-away paragraph only mentioned DEET. Whyyyyyy.