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How to Use Insect Repellents Safely
Updated: April 17, 2002
Mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks can be annoying and sometimes pose
a serious risk to public health. In certain areas of the United States,
mosquitoes can transmit diseases like equine and St. Louis encephalitis.
Biting flies can inflict a painful bite that can persist for days, swell,
and become infected. Ticks can transmit serious diseases like Lyme disease
and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. When properly used, insect repellents
can discourage biting insects from landing on treated skin or clothing.
Choosing Insect Repellents
Insect repellents are available in various forms and concentrations.
Aerosol and pump-spray products are intended for skin applications as
well as for treating clothing. Liquid, cream, lotion, spray, and stick
products enable direct skin application. Products with a low concentration
of active ingredient may be appropriate for situations where exposure
to insects is minimal. Higher concentration of active ingredient may be
useful in highly infested areas or with insect species which are more
difficult to repel. And where appropriate, consider nonchemical ways to
deter biting insects - screens, netting, long sleeves, and slacks.
Using Insect Repellents Safely
EPA recommends the following precautions when using insect repellents:
- Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing (as directed
on the product label). Do not use under clothing.
- Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
- Do not apply to eyes and mouth, and apply sparingly around ears.
When using sprays do not spray directly onto face; spray on hands first
and then apply to face.
- Do not allow children to handle the products, and do not apply to
children's hands. When using on children, apply to your own hands and
then put it on the child.
- Do not spray in enclosed areas. Avoid breathing a repellent spray,
and do not use it near food.
- Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing.
Heavy application and saturation is generally unnecessary for effectiveness;
if biting insects do not respond to a thin film of repellent, then apply
a bit more.
- After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water or
bathe. This is particularly important when repellents are used repeatedly
in a day or on consecutive days. Also, wash treated clothing before
wearing it again. If you suspect that you or your child are reacting
to an insect repellent, discontinue use, wash treated skin, and then
call your local poison control center. If/when you go to a doctor, take
the repellent with you.
- Get specific medical information about the active ingredients in
repellents and other pesticides by calling the National Pesticide Information
Center (NPIC) at 1-800-858-7378. NPIC operates from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. (Pacific Time),9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), 7 days a
week. The NPIC Web site is: http://npic.orst.edu/
Important Information on Using Pesticides
EPA recommends the following precautions when using an insect repellent
or pesticide:
- Check the container to ensure that the product bears an EPA-approved
label and registration number. Never use a product that has not been
approved for use by EPA!
- Read the entire label before using a pesticide. Even if you have
used it before, read the label again - don't trust your memory.
- Follow use directions carefully, use only the amount directed, at
the time and under the conditions specified, and for the purpose listed.
For example, if you need a tick repellent, make sure that the product
label lists this use. If ticks are not listed, the product may not be
formulated for that use.
- Store pesticides away from children's reach, in a locked utility
cabinet or garden shed.
Avoiding Ticks and Lyme Disease
Lyme disease has become the leading tick-borne illness in the United
States. In 1999, 16,273 cases of Lyme disease were reported to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The deer tick, also known as
the black-legged tick, is the species that most often transmits Lyme disease.
With proper precautions, Lyme disease is preventable.
- Ticks are most active from April through October, so exercise additional
caution when venturing into tick country during that time period.
- When in a tick-infested area, an insect repellent is good prevention
is, however, consider using a product designed to be applied to clothing
rather than skin.
- Tuck pants cuffs into boots or socks, and wear long sleeves and light-colored
clothing to make it easier to spot ticks.
- Stay to the center of hiking paths, and avoid grassy and marshy woodland
areas.
- Inspect yourself and your children for clinging ticks after leaving
an infested area. Ticks are hard to see - nymphs are dot sized; adults,
smaller than a sesame seed.
- If you discover a tick feeding, do not panic. Studies indicate that
an infected tick does not usually transmit the Lyme organism during
the first 24 hours.
- If you suspect Lyme disease or its symptoms, contact your doctor
immediately.
IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, first
determine what the person was exposed to and what part of the body was
affected before you take action, since taking the right action is as important
as taking immediate action. If the person is unconscious, having trouble
breathing, or having convulsions, give the indicated first aid immediately.
Call 911 or your local emergency service. If these symptoms are not evident,
contact your local Poison Control Center, physician, 911, or your local
emergency service and follow its directions. The following are general
first aid guidelines:
- Poison in eye. Eye membranes absorb pesticides faster
than any other external part of the body. Eye damage can occur in a
few minutes with some types of pesticides. If poison splashes into an
eye, hold the eyelid open and wash quickly and gently with clean running
water from the tap or a gentle stream from a hose for at least 15 minutes.
If possible, have someone contact a Poison Control Center while the
victim is being treated. Do not use eye drops, chemicals, or drugs in
the wash water.
- Poison on skin. If pesticide splashes on the skin,
drench area with water and remove contaminated clothing. Wash skin and
hair thoroughly with soap and water. Later, discard contaminated clothing
or thoroughly wash it separately from other laundry.
- Inhaled poison. Get the victim to fresh air immediately.
Open doors and windows to prevent fumes from poisoning others. Call
the fire department.
- Swallowed poison. Induce vomiting ONLY if the emergency
personnel on the phone tell you to do so. It will depend on what the
victim has swallowed; some petroleum products, or caustic poisons, can
cause serious damage if vomited. Always keep Syrup of Ipecac on hand
(one bottle per household). Be sure the date is current and keep it
out of children's reach.
Where to Get More Information
Information on pesticides can be obtained from the state agency that
regulates pesticides, or from the National Pesticide Information
Center (NPIC). The NPIC Web site includes links to all state
pesticide regulatory agencies.
For more information regarding the Federal pesticide regulatory programs,
contact EPA headquarters or one of the 10 regional offices below.
National |
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Office of Pesticide Programs
(OPP)
Tel: 703-305-5017
Fax: 703-305-5558
E-mail: opp-web-comments@epa.gov
Web site: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides
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New England |
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont & 9 Tribes |
Region 1
888-372-7341 (Region 1 states only)
617-918-1111
Web site: www.epa.gov/region1
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Upper
Mid-Atlantic |
New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico,
U.S. Virgin Islands & 7 Tribal Nations |
Region 2
732-321-4391 (all calls)
www.epa.gov/region2 |
Mid-Atlantic |
Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, West Virginia, and District of Columbia. |
Region 3
800-438-2474 (Region 3 states only)
215-814-5000
www.epa.gov/region3 |
Southeast |
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee |
Region 4
800-241-1754 (all calls)
www.epa.gov/region4 |
Great Lakes |
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota,
Ohio, and Wisconsin & 35 Tribes |
Region 5
800-621-8431 (Region 5 states only)
312-353-2000
www.epa.gov/region5 |
South Central |
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma,
and Texas & 66 Tribes |
Region 6
800-887-6063 (Region 6 states only)
214-665-6444
www.epa.gov/region6 |
Midwest |
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska
& 9 Tribal Nations |
Region 7
800-223-0425 (Region 7 states only)
913-551-7003
www.epa.gov/region7 |
Mountains & Plains |
Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming & 27 Tribes |
Region 8
800-227-8917 (Region 8 states only)
303-312-6312
www.epa.gov/region8 |
Pacific Southwest |
Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada,
territories of Guam and American Samoa & XX Tribes |
Region 9
800-321-7349 (Region 9 states only)
415-947-8000
www.epa.gov/region9 |
Pacific Northwest |
Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
and 270 Native Tribes |
Region 10
800-424-4372 (Region 10 states only)
206-553-1200
www.epa.gov/region10 |
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