Prevent Tick and Mosquito Bites

Protect yourself and your family from tick and mosquito bites

Use insect repellent

Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellentsexternal icon with one of the active ingredients below. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

• DEET
• Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)
• IR3535
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone

Find the insect repellent that’s right for you by using EPA’s search toolexternal icon.

Tips for everyone

• Always follow the product label instructions.
• Reapply insect repellent as directed.
  • Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
  • If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.

Tips for babies & children

• Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs.
• Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
• When using insect repellent on your child:
  • Always follow label instructions.
  • Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years old.
  • Do not apply insect repellent to a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin.
    • Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.

Natural insect repellents (repellents not registered with EPA)

• We do not know the effectiveness of non-EPA registered insect repellents, including some natural repellents.
• To protect yourself against diseases spread by mosquitoes, CDC and EPA recommend using an EPA-registered insect repellent.
• Choosing an EPA-registered repellent ensures the EPA has evaluated the product for effectiveness.
• Visit the EPA website to learn moreexternal icon

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants

• Treat items, such as boots, pants, socks, and tents, with 0.5% permethrin or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
  • Permethrin-treated clothing will protect you after multiple washings. See product information to find out how long the protection will last.
  • If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions.
  • Do not use permethrin products directly on skin.

More information on ticks

• Learn how to prevent tick bites on people, on pets, and in the yard.
• Learn how to remove ticks.

More information on mosquitoes

• Learn how to control mosquitoes at home.
• Learn how local governments and mosquito control programs use an integrated mosquito management approach to control mosquitoes.