Mosquito repellents are substances applied to the skin, clothing, or surroundings to deter mosquitoes from landing or biting. They work by interfering with the mosquito’s ability to locate and identify humans as a food source. The most common active ingredients in mosquito repellents are DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), picaridin, and IR3535 (3-[N-butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester).
Mosquito repellents are an important tool in the prevention of mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever. These diseases can cause serious illness and even death, so it is important to take steps to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Mosquito repellents are a safe and effective way to do this.