Instructions for using mosquito repellent

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 about 15 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.

Using mosquito repellent: children less than 6 months
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

Using mosquito repellent: children 6 months to 2 years
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	Apply only to parts of the body that are exposed One application per day, maximum Do not apply near eyes, mouth and hands Avoid applying on skin that is damaged, irritated or burned by the sun, or on mucous membranes Do not use mosquito repellent on a daily basis for more than a month Do not use for long periods
Icaridin-based products labelled 20% or less	Products labelled 10%: 3-5 hours Products labelled 20%: 8-10 hours	Do not apply near eyes, mouth and hands
Lemon eucalyptus-based products	5 hours or less	Do not use on children 3 years old and younger
Soybean oil-based products (labelled 2%)	3 hours and 30 minutes or less	No restrictions on frequency of use Not suitable for protecting yourself from ticks

Using mosquito repellent: children 2 to 12 years
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	Apply only to parts of the body that are exposed 3 applications per day, maximum Do not apply near eyes, mouth and hands Do not use mosquito repellent on a daily basis for more than a month
Icaridin-based products labelled 20% or less	Products labelled 10%: 3-5 hours Products labelled 20%: 8-10 hours	Do not apply near eyes, mouth and hands
Lemon eucalyptus-based products	5 hours or less	Do not use on children 3 years old and younger 2 applications per day, maximum Do not apply near eyes, mouth and hands
Blend of lemon, eucalyptus, pine needles, geranium and camphor essential oils	Undetermined	Follow applicable use instructions Do not use on children 2 years old and younger
Soybean oil-based products (labelled 2%)	3 hours and 30 minutes or less	No restrictions on frequency of use Not suitable for protecting yourself from ticks

Using mosquito repellent: individuals 12 years old and up and adults
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	Do not apply near eyes and mouth Apply only to parts of the body that are exposed
Icaridin-based products labelled 20% or less	Products labelled 10%: 3-5 hours Products labelled 20%: 8-10 hours	Do not apply near eyes and mouth
Lemon eucalyptus-based products	5 hours or less	2 applications per day, maximum Do not apply near eyes and mouth Not suitable for protecting yourself from ticks
Soybean oil-based products (labelled 2%)	3 hours and 30 minutes or less	No restrictions on frequency of use Not suitable for protecting yourself from ticks

Using mosquito repellent: pregnant or breastfeeding women
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	2 applications per day, maximum Do not apply near eyes and mouth
Icaridin-based products labelled 20% or less	Products labelled 10%: 3-5 hours Products labelled 20%: 8-10 hours	2 applications per day, maximum Do not apply near eyes and mouth
Soybean oil-based products (labelled 2%)	3 hours and 30 minutes or less	No restrictions on frequency of use Not suitable for protecting yourself from ticks

Products that are not recommended

Some products are not very effective against mosquito or tick bites or do not have a long-lasting effect. They are not recommended. The list of products that are not recommended is available on Health Canada website.

Clothing treated with permethrin in Canada

Permethrin-treated clothing is a preventive measure against mosquito and tick bites, but it should be combined with other preventive measures. For more information, visit the Permethrin-treated clothing page of the Public Health Agency of Canada.