EPA-Registered Repellents Compared
| Active Ingredient | Mosquito Duration | Tick Efficacy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEET 20–30% | 4–8 hours | Good | Long-established efficacy record. Damages some plastics and synthetic fabrics. Safe for use per label on adults and children over 2 months. 30% is the recommended concentration for extended outdoor use in Missouri. |
| Picaridin 20% | 8–12 hours | Good | No plastic/fabric damage. No odor. Increasingly the preferred alternative to DEET for outdoor workers and extended use. 20% concentration recommended for Missouri tick season. |
| IR3535 20% | 4–8 hours | Moderate | Lower tick efficacy than DEET or picaridin at equivalent concentrations. Good option for mosquito protection where tick exposure is lower. |
| Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) | 4–6 hours | Good at higher concentrations | Plant-derived but not the same as lemon eucalyptus essential oil. CDC-recommended. Not for use on children under 3. Requires more frequent reapplication. |
| Essential oil products (citronella, etc.) | 20–60 minutes | Poor | Not EPA-registered as repellents. Short duration, no tick efficacy. Not recommended for Missouri's tick season. |
Application Notes for Missouri Conditions
Missouri's combination of mosquito and tick pressure during the same April–October window means repellent choice should prioritize products with documented tick efficacy — DEET 30% or picaridin 20% are the practical choices. Apply repellent to all exposed skin including ankles and sock line where ticks commonly attach. For clothing, permethrin-treated garments (which are insecticidal rather than repellent) provide the most effective tick protection and can be combined with any skin-applied repellent. Reapply per product label — sweat, water exposure, and time reduce efficacy. D&D Pest Control provides mosquito yard treatment and tick barrier programs for Franklin County and rural Missouri — visit ddpestcontrolmo.com.