10-11-2018, 01:43 PM
I've always been a 99% DEET guy but just over 6 months ago I ordered some 20% picaridin (couldn't find it in this concentration locally anywhere).
Because we can have dengue in Hawaii, I was reluctant to post any experiences that quite honestly, could potentially influence life or death situations, but here I am doing it with the standard disclaimer to do your own due diligence.
The quick review: The 20% picaridin is at least as effective as 99% DEET in deterring mosquitoes, but is virtually odorless to humans. This means one is much more likely to USE it, inside or out. DEET burns my eyes like hell when I sweat and it runs into them, I have not noticed any discomfort when using picaridin.
What is picaridin? It's a synthetic version of piperine, the chemical that gives black pepper its insect repelling properties. Picaridin is approved and registered by the EPA to repel insects. It's not a natural or homeopathic solution.
6 months ago I was reluctant to use insect repellent because quite frankly I'd prefer to get a few bites than to spray the nasty smelling DEET on me and deal with all that entails. Now I can spray this odorless, colorless, non-greasy spray on me and not get bit.
ETA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icaridin
Because we can have dengue in Hawaii, I was reluctant to post any experiences that quite honestly, could potentially influence life or death situations, but here I am doing it with the standard disclaimer to do your own due diligence.
The quick review: The 20% picaridin is at least as effective as 99% DEET in deterring mosquitoes, but is virtually odorless to humans. This means one is much more likely to USE it, inside or out. DEET burns my eyes like hell when I sweat and it runs into them, I have not noticed any discomfort when using picaridin.
What is picaridin? It's a synthetic version of piperine, the chemical that gives black pepper its insect repelling properties. Picaridin is approved and registered by the EPA to repel insects. It's not a natural or homeopathic solution.
6 months ago I was reluctant to use insect repellent because quite frankly I'd prefer to get a few bites than to spray the nasty smelling DEET on me and deal with all that entails. Now I can spray this odorless, colorless, non-greasy spray on me and not get bit.
ETA: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icaridin