Good news! The FDA and EPA recently approved Eucalyptus oil for use as an insect repellent. This means you can finally put an end to stinky, harmful, chemical insect repellents of the past.
Eucalyptus oil, also known as p-menthane 3,8-diol or PMD, has been shown in studies to have similar repellent properties to that of DEET. While DEET has proven irritant to some and is not recommended for children due to it's toxicity, Eucalyptus oil can be used on children over 3 and has shown no adverse reactions other than mild eye irritation (if product gets in eyes). Commercial mixtures are often mixed with other natural ingredients such as citronella, rosemary oil, and camphor, creating a pleasant, skin-soothing fragrance.
Eucalyptus oil offers protection from mosquitoes, biting flies, gnats, and even ticks, and therefore may help reduce the risk of contracting West Nile Virus, Malaria, and Lyme Disease. In studies, a repellent made with 30% Lemon Eucalyptus oil protects about the same as repellents containing 10%-15% DEET. One recent study showed the following results:
- Mixture made with 4.75% DEET – 88.4 minutes protection time
- Mixture made with 30% Lemon Eucalyptus Oil - 120.1 minutes protection time
- Mixture made with 23.8% DEET – 301.5 minutes protection time
When applying insect repellents to children, avoid applying the repellent to their hands (in case they rub their eyes or mouths), around their eyes, or to any areas where there are cuts or irritated skin. Use only the amount needed to cover exposed skin. Heavy application and saturation generally are unnecessary for effectiveness.
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