DEET is an EPA-registered insect repellent that helps keep biting insects away from people. EPA says currently registered products pose no health or environmental risks of concern when used according to their labels—but that does not mean DEET is harmless if swallowed, overapplied, or misused. For pet owners, do not treat a human repellent as a pet product; ask a veterinarian before applying any repellent directly to an animal.
What is DEET?
DEET is the common name for N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, also written as N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide. It is a repellent, not an insecticide intended to kill mosquitoes or ticks. It makes it difficult for biting insects to detect and locate a person.
DEET was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946 and registered for general-public use in 1957. EPA-registered skin products contain approximately 5% to 99% DEET and are sold as sprays, lotions, roll-ons, towelettes, and other formulations. U.S. EPA: DEET
Products are made for the uses stated on their labels. A product intended for human skin should not automatically be treated as a pet product. Ask your veterinarian before applying any repellent directly to a dog or cat.
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- REPELS MOSQUITOES: Repels mosquitoes, including those that may transmit the Zika, West Nile, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses.
- CONTAINS 98.11% DEET: Formulated for protection in severe insect conditions.
- PROTECTS FOR UP TO 10 HOURS: Provides long-lasting protection, so you don't have to limit your family’s adventure because of mosquitoes.
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How well does DEET work?
DEET helps repel mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, fleas, chiggers, gnats, and related biting arthropods when the product is labeled for those pests. It does not provide permanent protection, and it does not replace veterinary flea, tick, or heartworm prevention for pets.
The percentage generally affects how long protection lasts, not whether the repellent is inherently stronger. Protection also varies with the insect species, temperature, sweating, swimming, rain, physical activity, rubbing, and the product’s formulation.
| What concentration generally changes | What it does not necessarily change |
|---|---|
| How long protection lasts | Whether the product is inherently safer or more powerful |
| Which product may suit an outing, subject to its label | Whether the product can be applied to a pet |
CDC says mosquito protection generally peaks at about 50% DEET, with concentrations above that providing no marked additional protection time. EPA reports approximate protection times of two to 12 hours for mosquitoes and two to 10 hours for ticks, depending on product and concentration. Reapply only as often as the label permits. CDC Yellow Book U.S. EPA: DEET
Is DEET safe for people?
Normal use
EPA says its reviews found no health risks of concern when DEET is used as a dermally applied repellent according to label directions. Its evaluation includes vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. This conclusion concerns label-directed use; swallowing, heavy overapplication, or inhaling spray can cause harmful exposure. U.S. EPA: DEET U.S. EPA: Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents
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Children
Current EPA guidance says DEET is approved for children without an age restriction and imposes no child-specific percentage restriction. The individual product label still controls use, and an adult should apply it.
- Use only enough to cover exposed skin or clothing as directed.
- Do not apply under clothing or to cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
- Do not apply it to a child’s hands, eyes, or mouth.
- For the face, an adult should put the product on their own hands first, then apply it carefully while avoiding the eyes and mouth.
- Keep the container out of children’s reach.
U.S. EPA: DEET CDC: Preventing Mosquito Bites
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
CDC says EPA-registered repellents, including DEET products, are considered safe when used as directed, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding. People with individual medical concerns should discuss repellent choice with a healthcare professional. CDC Yellow Book U.S. EPA: Regulation of Skin-Applied Repellents
Possible side effects and misuse
Possible problems include skin irritation or rash, eye irritation, and irritation of mucous membranes. Swallowing, heavy overapplication, or inhaling spray can cause harmful exposure. Rare neurological effects, including seizures, have been reported, particularly in reports involving excessive exposure.
If a reaction occurs, stop using the product, wash treated skin, and contact a physician or poison-control center. Take the product container or label when seeking help. U.S. EPA: DEET ATSDR: DEET ToxFAQs
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What does DEET mean for dogs and cats?
DEET products discussed here are human repellents. EPA’s conclusion about registered uses does not mean a human repellent can safely be applied to a pet. Use only products labeled for the animal and species in question, and ask a veterinarian if you are unsure.
- Do not spray a pet directly with a human repellent.
- Keep animals from licking or swallowing repellent, and prevent access to the container.
- If a pet is exposed or seems ill afterward, contact a veterinarian or animal poison-control service promptly. Have the product container available.
How to use DEET safely
- Read the product label. It identifies the pests covered, approved application sites, and maximum frequency of use. Pesticides must be used according to their approved labeling.
- Apply only as directed. Use on exposed skin or clothing as permitted; do not use under clothing or on cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
- Keep it off your face directly. Put the product on your hands first, then apply it to your face while avoiding the eyes and mouth.
- Do not spray in enclosed areas.
- Use only enough to cover the exposed area. More product does not automatically mean better protection.
- Wash after the outing. Wash treated skin with soap and water after returning indoors, and wash treated clothing before wearing it again.
- Follow the reapplication limit. Do not reapply sooner or use more product than the label permits.
DEET and sunscreen
CDC does not recommend combination sunscreen-and-insect-repellent products as a general strategy. When using separate products, apply sunscreen first, let it dry, and then apply repellent. DEET can affect how some products are absorbed, and sunscreen normally needs more frequent reapplication than repellent. Do not reapply DEET simply because sunscreen needs another application. CDC Yellow Book NPIC: Insect Repellents Fact Sheet
Can DEET damage pet supplies or other materials?
DEET can act as a plasticizer and soften or damage some plastics, vinyl, rubber, elastic, contact lenses, eyeglass frames or lenses, watch crystals, painted or varnished surfaces, and some synthetic or treated fabrics. It generally does not damage natural fibers such as cotton and wool.
This is a materials-compatibility issue, not evidence that DEET is unusually dangerous to people or the environment. NPIC: DEET Technical Fact Sheet
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- REPELS MOSQUITOES: Repels mosquitoes, including those that may transmit the Zika, West Nile, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses
- CONTAINS 98.11% DEET: Formulated for protection in severe insect conditions
- PROTECTS FOR UP TO 10 HOURS: Provides long-lasting protection, so you don't have to limit your family’s adventure because of mosquitoes
- ALSO REPELS TICKS, GNATS, BITING FLIES, CHIGGERS & FLEAS: Repel these annoying bugs that can spoil the outdoors
- TRAVEL-SIZE PUMP SPRAY: This compact 1 oz flip-cap bottle is perfect for travel and outdoor adventures. Its portable design fits easily into your backpack, pocket, or gear, making it a convenient companion wherever your day takes you.
Is DEET safe for the environment?
EPA’s regulatory conclusion
EPA’s 2014 interim registration review concluded that currently registered DEET uses presented no risks of concern to human health, non-target species, or the environment. EPA also concluded that those uses were not expected to adversely affect listed or non-listed endangered species or critical habitat.
This conclusion applies to registered uses according to label directions. It does not mean DEET can never affect wildlife or that careless disposal is harmless. U.S. EPA: DEET
What happens after DEET enters the environment?
DEET can enter wastewater when people wash it from their skin and clothing, and it has been detected in wastewater and waterways receiving wastewater. In soil, microbes including bacteria and fungi can break it down; studies summarized by NPIC found less-toxic breakdown products than the original compound.
DEET can move through some soils and enter air as spray mist or vapor. Its persistence and breakdown rate vary with conditions such as temperature, humidity, wind, soil characteristics, and microbial activity. NPIC: DEET Fact Sheet NPIC: DEET General Fact Sheet PDF
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Effects on fish and wildlife
NPIC reports that DEET was toxic to freshwater fish and aquatic insects at extremely high concentrations in testing. Those laboratory concentrations are not equivalent to ordinary consumer use, and EPA’s risk assessment found no environmental risks of concern from currently registered uses. NPIC: DEET General Fact Sheet PDF U.S. EPA: DEET
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Environmental precautions
- Do not spray DEET directly into streams, ponds, lakes, drains, gardens, or onto wildlife.
- Use targeted application to exposed skin or clothing rather than spraying broadly into the air.
- Do not rinse leftover product into a drain or dispose of it in water.
- Follow the product label for storage and disposal.
- Keep containers secured so pets cannot puncture, chew, or spill them.
EPA’s finding concerns label-directed use; unnecessary releases and improper disposal increase environmental exposure.
Common DEET claims that need correcting
| Claim | More accurate explanation |
|---|---|
| “DEET kills mosquitoes.” | DEET is primarily a repellent that interferes with insect host detection; it is not intended to kill mosquitoes. |
| “A higher percentage works better.” | Higher concentrations generally extend protection time. CDC says mosquito protection does not increase markedly above about 50% DEET. |
| “DEET cannot be used around children.” | Current EPA guidance permits DEET for children without an age restriction, with adult application and label compliance. |
| “Only low-percentage DEET is safe for children.” | EPA guidance does not impose a child-specific percentage restriction, although the individual label controls use. |
| “DEET-free means safer.” | Not necessarily. A DEET-free product may have different safety, effectiveness, or environmental characteristics. |
| “DEET is environmentally harmless.” | Too broad. DEET reaches wastewater and can affect aquatic organisms at very high laboratory concentrations. EPA’s conclusion is narrower: no environmental risks of concern from registered, label-directed uses. |
| “The old two-month rule is current EPA guidance.” | Current EPA and CDC Yellow Book pages say DEET products can be used on children without an age restriction. Follow current guidance and the individual product label. |
FAQ
Can I use DEET directly on my dog or cat?
Do not assume a human DEET product is appropriate for a pet. Use only a product labeled for that animal and species, or ask your veterinarian. Do not spray a pet directly with a human repellent.
What if my pet licks or swallows DEET?
Contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service promptly if your pet is exposed or seems ill afterward. Keep the product container available so you can provide its ingredient and concentration.
Is DEET safe during pregnancy or around children?
EPA and CDC say EPA-registered DEET products are considered safe when used as directed, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding. An adult should apply DEET to children, keeping it away from their hands, eyes, mouth, and irritated skin.
Does DEET harm the environment?
EPA found no risks of concern from currently registered DEET uses when products are used according to their labels. DEET can enter wastewater, and very high laboratory concentrations can harm aquatic organisms, so do not spray or dispose of it in water.
The Bottom Line
DEET is a well-established human insect repellent. EPA considers registered products safe for people and the environment when used according to their labels. It is not a pet flea or tick treatment: do not apply human repellent directly to an animal, and ask a veterinarian about pet products. Use only what the label directs, wash treated skin after returning indoors, and follow the label for disposal.
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