DEET 99%TC  Diethyltoluamide

DEET (chemical name, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is the active ingredient in many repellent products.

It is widely used to repel biting pests such as mosquitoes and ticks. Every year, population use DEET to protect them from mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus, the Zika virus or malaria and tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Products containing DEET currently are available to the public in a variety of liquids, lotions, sprays, and impregnated materials . Formulations registered for direct application to human skin contain from 5 to 99% DEET. Except for a few veterinary uses, DEET is registered for use by consumers, and it is not used on food.

DEET is designed for direct application to people’s skin to repel insects. Rather than killing them, DEET works by making it hard for these biting bugs to smell us.

Technical DEET is a nearly colorless liquid with a faint characteristic odor. DEET is the active ingredient in some common repellents widely used to repel biting pests such as mosquitos and ticks. A significant benefit of DEET is protection against mosquito or tick borne illnesses. Examples of tick-borne illnesses include Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Mosquito-borne illnesses may include those caused by West Nile Virus and Zika Virus.

DEET is the common name for an insect and acarid repellent used to repel, but not kill, biting insects, mites, and ticks. DEET formulations are typically used as sprays or mists, lotions and wipes. DEET formulations can be applied directly onto human skin or onto clothing. DEET has been formulated with sunscreen lotions for direct application to skin. DEET has also been infused into various products such as wrist bands, intended to be worn by the consumer while outdoors.