We’ve all known for years that Deet isn’t exactly the best thing for you, but it’s really the only thing that reliably repels mosquitoes. Unfortunately, a recent study found that Deet is more dangerous than we previously thought.
Deet works by inhibiting the central nervous system in bugs. Thus, you don’t get bit. This study found that Deet also inhibits an enzyme in our central nervous system (acetycholinesterase). According to the researchers:
Deet “is not simply a behaviour-modifying chemical but that it also inhibits cholinesterase activity, in both insect and mammalian neuronal preparations. Deet is commonly used in combination with insecticides and we show that deet has the capacity to strengthen the toxicity of carbamates, a class of insecticides known to block acetylcholinesterase.”
So not only is Deet bad for us, but it is worse when mixed with other chemicals like those in bug sprays. The study recommends more research on the safety of Deet.
If you care to read the full study, it is available here. Science Daily has an article available on this subject here.
While there aren’t really many effective alternatives to Deet available on the market, STP has some tips for Deet alternatives.
- Via STP Blog
[...] mosquitoes, most people grab the spray with the most DEET and leave it at that. Setting aside the health warnings, it’s what many recommend for repelling mosquitoes, especially in tropical climates where [...]