The New Buzz on Fighting Bugs

If you've been in the market for insect repellant lately, you may have noticed some new options. From The New Buzz on Fighting Bugs:

In a significant expansion of bug-avoidance options, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in April recommended two ingredients — the chemical picaridin and an extract found in lemon eucalyptus — for personal use. The repellents are now the only options other than the 1950s-era chemical DEET that are recommended by the CDC as effective skin protection against mosquitoes, which not only disrupt backyard barbeques and camp-outs, but can carry the deadly West Nile virus.

Since that advisory, consumer-products companies say sales of products containing the ingredients have taken off. One company, Spectrum Brands Inc., says while sales of its Repel Lemon Eucalyptus is now on back order, sales of its Cutter Advanced repellent with picaridin are running 40% above expectations since it was introduced earlier this year, and has become its best-selling product to big retail customers — thanks to the CDC recommendation.

A friend of a friend came back from doing field work in Malaysia — I think it was Malaysia — covered in chemical burns from spraying on way too much DEET. Of course, if you're in a jungle, and you're allergic to insect bites, DEET burns might be a reasonable price to pay.