Mosquitoes can spread viruses that can result in serious illnesses or even death. In Massachusetts, the diseases spread to humans by mosquitoes are West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Mosquito repellents can reduce your chances of being bitten by a mosquito and as a result reduce the risk that you will get one of these diseases.  We recommend using a repellent that has been proven effective by the EPA.  Approved EPA chemicals will have an EPA registration number on the label. (The registration number can usually be found on the back side of the product label toward the end.)

Active ingredients for use on skin and clothing

The following active ingredients are EPA registered and are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

  1. DEET (Chemical Name: N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide or N,N-diethly-3-methyl-benzamide)

  2. Picaridin (KBR 3023, Chemical Name: 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 1-methylpropyl ester)

  3. Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or PMD (Chemical Name: para-Menthane-3,8-diol) the synthesized version of oil of lemon eucalyptus

  4. IR3535 (Chemical Name: 3-[N-Butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester


Active ingredients for use on clothing only

  1. Permethrin (synthetic pyrethroid) repels and kills mosquitoes and ticks.  Do not apply to skin! The product is applied to clothing, shoes, bed nets, camping gear only.  Often effective through multiple washes (refer to label).