what is deet

DEET, which stands for N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, is the active ingredient in many insect repellent products. It is widely used to repel biting pests such as mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and fleas. DEET works by making it hard for these biting bugs to smell humans, thus deterring and repelling them rather than killing them. It was developed by the U.S. Army in 1946 and has been used by the general public in the United States since 1957. DEET is available in a variety of forms, including liquids, lotions, sprays, and impregnated materials. The formulations registered for direct application to human skin contain from 5 to 99% DEET. Studies have shown that DEET is safe and effective when used as directed, and there is no reliable evidence that it causes cancer. However, some people may experience skin irritation or eye irritation if DEET is not used according to the instructions. Overall, DEET is considered safe for use as an insect repellent.