The following side effects are eliminated when you make the conscious decision to choose World Wide Discoveries Natural Bug and Mosquito spray and avoid products that contain Deet in even small amounts:

Side effects from products with Deet include rashes, hives, muscle spasms, headache, irritability, confusion and nausea.  Seizures, encephalopathy, and even death have been associated mostly with heavy use to avoid transmission of Lyme disease by ticks. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that great caution should be taken when using DEET on children. Follow these guidelines should you decide to use any product containing DEET:

• Insect repellents should be used sparingly on children and should not be used at all on children under the age of 2.
• Use products with concentrations less than 20%. (The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends concentrations less than 10 percent for children under 6.)
• Apply only to exposed skin and clothing, not to skin under clothes.
• Avoid frequent reapplication or skin saturation; use as little repellent as possible. Saturation will not necessarily improve the repellent’s efficacy.
• Do not apply to cuts, wounds or irritated skin. Keep away from eyes and mouth
• Do not apply to hands of young children.  Do not spray directly over face. Avoid breathing DEET aerosol sprays. Wash off immediately after use.
• Pregnant women should avoid the use of DEET in their first trimester. DEET can cross the placenta and expose babies in the womb.
• Avoid combination sunscreen/insect repellent creams that contain DEET. Since sunscreens must be applied frequently and generously, use of combination formulas may lead to unnecessary overexposure to DEET.

The Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides recommends avoiding purchasing any product unless all ingredients are identified. If the label lists “inert” ingredients or doesn’t identify all ingredients, choose another product.

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