Tip of the Month

Avoid spraying toxic chemicals in your yard to fend off mosquitoes. Instead you should reduce the standing water in your yard and use an effective repellent. There are four repellents approved by the EPA to fight insects.

DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535, an amino acid that interferes with mosquitoes' sense of smell. The EPA considers DEET and picaridin "conventional repellents" and oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 as "biopesticide repellents," which are made from natural materials.

The EPA offers these guidelines for the safe use of insect repellents: • Repellents should be applied only to exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not use under clothing. • Do not apply near eyes and mouth, and apply sparingly around ears. • When using sprays, do not spray directly into your face; spray on hands first and then apply to your face. • Never use repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. • After returning indoors, wash treated skin and clothes with soap and water.

DEET is considered the most effective insect repellent, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends DEET not be used on infants less than 2 months old. The label on products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus warns against use on children younger than age 3.

From the City's Committee for a Better Environment