DEET vs icaridin insect repellents
Posted in Costa Rica, General Travel Tips on Nov 3rd, 2008
When you are traveling in Tropical areas outside of the United States it is a good habit to use insect repellent. Malaria, Dengue fever and other nasty diseases are transmitted via mosquito bites. Dengue and Malaria exist in Costa Rica but are rare.
The usual standby has been DEET bug spray. DEET works but it’s a greasy, toxic mess that stains your clothes. It’s better than Malaria or West Nile Virus but it is still a toxic chemical that probably isn’t too good for you in the long run. I’ve read warnings stating that pregnant women should not use it.
An alternative is Icaridin. Its not as greasy, odorous or rough on fabrics as DEET.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!