Personal repellent options

With rains and summer temperatures, exposure to biting ticks and mosquitoes is upon us. When we are outdoors working or recreating in tick or mosquito infested areas, we should remember to use insect repellent.

We have several more effective repellent options than we have had in the past, which can lead to some confusion and a few questions. Which repellent active ingredient should I use? What concentration should I use? When and how should I use repellents?

The mention of any commercial product in this publication does not imply its endorsement by the University of Arkansas

Cooperative Extension Service over other products not named, nor does the omission imply that they are not satisfactory.

In general, repellents containing between 10 and 50 percent active ingredient provide an acceptable level of repellency and duration. For most repellents, concentrations less than 10 percent last only about one to two hours and concentrations greater than 50 percent do not show a great increase in protection time.

The most common and effective repellents for mosquitoes contain either DEET, picaridin, IR 3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. For mosquitoes and depending upon concentration, DEET provides 2-8 hours protection, picaridin 2-8 hours protection, IR 3535 4-8 hours protection and oil of lemon eucalyptus up to 6 hours protection.

When and how should you use a repellent? The answer is obvious, when you notice mosquitoes flying around or you are in tick infested areas. Remember, more does not mean better when applying repellents. Thorough coverage is important, but that does not mean drenching yourself, so follow application directions.

Repellents should be reapplied according to label and/or when mosquitoes begin trying to bite again. The label usually provides a good guide as to when reapplication is necessary. Environmental conditions (moisture or rain) and sweating may reduce the effective protection period of some repellents. Always follow the label directions found on the repellent and pay special attention to the label directions when applying repellents to young children.

Although many of the skin repellent formulations can be used on clothing, clothing-only repellents usually provide better protection when in areas with an abundance of ticks and mosquitoes. The most common clothing-only repellents contain permethrin as the active ingredient. Repel Permanone and Sawyer Permethrin Clothing, Gear and Tent repellents are among the common clothing repellents.

When properly applied, most clothing repellents remain effective after multiple washings. Some clothing, such as that available from Insect Shield, already have the permethrin impregnated in the fabric. Always follow label directions when applying clothing-only repellents.

If you have a question about any of the services that the Cooperative Extension Service offers, call Jimmy Driggers, Garland County Extension agent, at 501-623-6841 or email jdriggers@uaex.edu; or visit website http://www.uaex.edu and follow the links to a wealth of information from livestock to agriculture, to gardening, family and consumer science topics, exercise, etc.

Master Gardeners

Master Gardener volunteers grow people. Master Gardeners receive 40 hours of training in general horticulture from experts in their field. Then, they volunteer at least 40 hours of their time in Master Gardener projects. There are additional educational and social opportunities too. For information on becoming a Master Gardener, call Allen Bates at 623-6841.

EHC

Interested in joining an existing Extension Homemaker’s Club, or would you and a group of your friends like to organize a club in your community? For information, call Jessica Vincent at 623-6841.

4-H

If between the ages of 5 and 19, you can join 4-H. There is a club for you, or you and a group of friends can organize a club of your own. For information, call Linda Bates at 623-6841.