Instructions
- Follow instructions on the product label and respect the application periods indicated
- Apply product in small quantities and only on areas of the body not protected by clothing
- Do not apply product on skin that is irritated or sunburnt, as well as on cuts and scratches
- Should the mosquito repellent go in your eyes, rinse immediately with water
- When you no longer need protection, wash your skin with soap and water
- Apply mosquito repellent again after going in water as it removes product from the skin
Instructions for using repellents on children
- Limit the number of mosquito repellent applications on children 12 years old and younger. Do not apply product near their eyes, mouth or hands. To prevent mosquito bites on their head or face, apply mosquito repellent on their hat or cap
- Do not allow children to apply mosquito repellent to themselves, always do it for them
- If you suspect that your child has an allergic reaction to a mosquito repellent, wash their skin and consult a doctor immediately. Show the doctor the product you have used
Mosquito repellent and sunscreen
If you need to protect yourself from mosquitoes and the sun at the same time:
- Apply the sunscreen first and let it penetrate your skin,preferably about15 minutes, before applying mosquito repellent. This limits the amount of mosquito repellent absorbed
- Do not use products that claim to combine sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Sunscreen must be applied more generously and more often than mosquito repellent
Choose the right mosquito repellent
For greater efficiency, use a repellent recommended by age group.
There are many types of mosquito repellents with varying active ingredients. The active ingredients are what chases away mosquitoes and ticks.
To protect yourself from mosquito bites, it is recommended you use a DEET, icaridin, lemon eucalyptus, or soybean oil-based mosquito repellent. To protect yourself from tick bites, use DEET or icaridin-based products.
Do not use citronella-based mosquito repellents on infants and young children because these products generally offer less than 1 hour of protection. Other essential oil products last less than 2 hours and are not the best option for protection against mosquito bites. However, if approved, such products are an alternative for short periods of exposure for people older than 3 provided that instructions on the labels are followed. These products are not effective against ticks.
Use the table below to determine which repellent to use and how to use it safely.
Recognizing the active ingredients in repellents
Scientific names of active ingredients on product labels may vary:
- DEET is also known as ‘N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide’
- Icaridine is also known as ‘picaridine’ or ‘KBR 3023’
Lemon eucalyptus is also known ‘lemon eucalyptus oil’ or ‘p-menthane 3.8-diol’ (PMD). Lemon eucalyptus should not be confused with products that contain eucalyptus oil and lemon oil.
The protection time against tick bites is generally shorter than that against mosquito bites.
Type of repellent | Duration of protection | Application advice |
---|---|---|
Source: Institut national de santé publique du Québec, information drawn from Health Canada website | ||
Do not use mosquito repellent. | N/A | Protect your baby by placing a mosquito net on their crib or stroller |
Type of repellent | Duration of protection | Application advice |
---|---|---|
Source: Institut national de santé publique du Québec, information drawn from Health Canada website | ||
Products with a DEET concentration of 10% or less indicated on label | 3 hours or less |
|
Icaridin-based products labelled 20% or less |
|
|
Lemon eucalyptus-based products | 5 hours or less |
|
Soybean oil-based products (labelled 2%) | 3hours and 30minutes or less |
|
Type of repellent | Duration of protection | Application advice |
---|---|---|
Source: Institut national de santé publique du Québec, information drawn from Health Canada website | ||
Products with a DEET concentration of 10% or less indicated on label | 3 hours or less |
|
Icaridin-based products labelled 20% or less |
|
|
Lemon eucalyptus-based products | 5 hours or less |
|
Blend of lemon, eucalyptus, pine needles, geranium and camphor essential oils | Undetermined |
|
Soybean oil-based products (labelled 2%) | 3 hours and 30minutes or less |
|
Type of repellent | Duration of protection | Application advice |
---|---|---|
Source: Institut national de santé publique du Québec, information drawn from Health Canada website | ||
Products with a DEET concentration of 30% or less indicated on label | 6 hours or less |
|
Icaridin-based products labelled 20% or less |
|
|
Lemon eucalyptus-based products | 5 hours or less |
|
Soybean oil-based products (labelled 2%) | 3 hours and 30minutes or less |
|
Type of repellent | Duration of protection | Application advice |
---|---|---|
Source: Institut national de santé publique du Québec, information drawn from Health Canada website | ||
Products with a DEET concentration of 30% or less indicated on label | 6 hours or less |
|
Icaridin-based products labelled 20% or less |
|
|
Soybean oil-based products (labelled 2%) | 3 hours and 30minutes or less |
|