diethyltoluamide

Diethyltoluamide (DEET) is a synthetic chemical compound widely used as the active ingredient in many insect repellent products. It is a slightly yellow oil intended for topical application to skin or clothing and provides protection against mosquitoes, ticks, flies, fleas, chiggers, leeches, and other biting insects. DEET works primarily by interfering with the olfactory receptors of insects—disrupting their ability to detect human scent—though its exact mechanism of action remains not fully elucidated. It is considered one of the most effective and commonly used repellents globally and plays an important role in preventing mosquito- and tick-borne diseases such as malaria, West Nile virus infection, Zika virus infection, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever[1][2][3][5]. Products containing DEET are available in various formulations including sprays and lotions at concentrations ranging from less than 10% up to 100%[3]. DEET was developed by the United States Army after World War II for use by military personnel in insect-infested areas before becoming available for civilian use. While generally safe when used as directed on skin or clothing surfaces—not under clothing or on broken skin—excessive exposure can cause irritation or rare adverse effects. The mechanism involves disrupting insects' ability to locate humans via their sense of smell rather than killing them directly[1][2][3].

Brand names

OFFRepelCutter

Other names

N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamideDEETdiethyltoluamide