Insect Repellent Deet Spray: The Complete FAQ Guide In 2025

1.What is deet?

Deet-Picture courtesy: sentonpharm.com

Deet is chemical which is N, N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide and is yellowish liquid. It is used in many insect repellents which repels insects from biting instead of killing them. In some insect repellents, you may see the label “deet-free” that might assumes you deet is as dangerous substance but trust me, it does not seem dangerous if used correctly.

2.What is insect repellent deet spray?

Insect repellent deet spray-Picture courtesy: inuka.com

Insect repellent deet spray is a specialized formulated spray that keeps the insect away or repels them from biting your skin unlike many other insecticides that kills insects. Deet spray contains chemical ingredient that is N, N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide which is well-known for insect repellent. Deet is integrated with skin scent that repels the insects from biting. But is it just available in spray form? No, you will find deet products that are available in lotions, spray and sometimes in towelettes and roll on.

3.How does insect repellent deet spray works?

Insect repellent deet spray-Picture courtesy: repel.com

Do you know how insect finds your body and bite? It’s all due to carbon dioxide emission from your body and body scent. Let’s discuss how the insect repellent deet spray works:

Terms	How it works
Disrupt insect sensing mechanism	Deet does not kill the mosquitoes, it masks your identity. How? The mosquitoes and other biting insects have receptors that attract towards carbon dioxide, sweat and your body scent. The deet on your clothing and skin interfere with these receptors making the insects hard to see or find you.
Forms a protective barrier	Do you know deet form a layer on your skin and cloths? You will not see the layer but this layer discourage mosquitoes and other insects from landing on your body and bites you.
Long- lasting protection	There are different concentration of deet available in this spray. Depending upon the concentration, this spray protects your body from insects for 2 to 10 hour. In this way, you can freely enjoy the hiking and other outdoor activities without effecting and biting the insects.

4.Why is deet spray considered more effective than natural repellent in spray formula?

Natural insect repellent spray

Insect repellent deet spray 

Are you curious to know why everybody wants deet spray to protect their body from mosquitoes etc.? Let’s clear it.

Proven long-lasting protection:

The deet containing spray can protect you from mosquitoes from 4 to 10 hours. But natural repellent not last for this time. Do you know the natural repellents? It’s the lemongrass oil, citronella oil and many other oils. But how long it lasts? It last for about 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Backed by decades of scientific research:

Deet has been researched from 1950s and is well documented. Do you know the ability or protection of deet against insects? It can provide protection against mosquitoes, disease causing mosquitoes like against malaria, ticks and fleas. But the natural insect repellents lack this level of protection.

Stability and performance in harsh conditions:

The deet performs an excellent performance in various environmental conditions. If you are sweating, hot or humid environment encountering, deet remains stable and effective against insects. On the other hand, natural repellents wash out if exposed to sweat or rains etc.

Broad spectrum protection:

Do you know various species of mosquitoes are available? If one type is carrying malaria, the other is dengue etc. so, the deet spray protects you against all the species of mosquitoes. But the natural insect repellents are effective against only limited number of insects.

5.How long does the protection from insect repellent deet spray last? 

Insect repellent deet aerosol spray

Have you seen the deet spray on the store shelf having different percentage of deet labelled? The percentage shows the longer lasting protection against the insects. Different percentage of deet insect repellents sprays are available.

• The 1 to 10% deet concentrated sprays protect you from insects that lasts for 2 to 4 hours.
• The 20% deet concentrated sprays can protect you from 4 to 6 hours.
• The 30% deet concentrated sprays lasts for about 8 hours.
• The higher percentage deet sprays can lasts from 10 to 12 hours.

6.What are the possible risks of using insect repellent deet spray?

Deet spray is highly effective and widely used but it has also many concerns or risks if not properly used. These are as follows:

Skin irritation:

Skin irritation

You should first keep in mind about the sensitivity of your skin. If your skin is sensitive then you would experience redness, rashes and mild burning. So, you should avoid the contact of deet spray to your skin.

Eye and mucous membrane irritation:

Eyes irritation

If you are spraying is closed room where ventilation can’t occur then you may experience the risk of using deet spray. If encountering with eyes, mouth or nose, you will feel watery-eyes, burning and stinging.

Environmental concern: 

Non-biodegradable

Do you know deet is non-biodegradable? So, if you are using it frequently or washed off into water bodies then it can kill or impact on the aquatic life. But what should be avoid? You should apply it as much as needed. When you washed it during bathing etc. the aerobic microorganism decomposed it so, it is also environmental friendly. And also, you should dispose of the deet sprays in a proper way.

Overuse may increase the health risks:

If you are overusing the deet spray, then it can leads to some health risks as well. You can feel dizziness, headache and nausea.

7.What are the ingredients used in the manufacturing of insect repellent deet spray?

In the formulation of insect repellent deet spray, there are active and supportive ingredients used. By the combined effort of these ingredients, the product creates are effective, safe, stable and easy to use. The ingredients are as follows:

Ingredients	Components	Functions
Active ingredients	The active ingredient used in the manufacturing of this spray is deet ( N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide)	The deet is the primary ingredient used in insect repellent spray that masks the identity of human skin and prevent from biting.
Solvents and carriers	The solvents and carriers used in the insect repellent deet spray are ethanol and water.	The ethanol and water are used as a solvent for the dissolution of deet and other ingredients. Ethanol can evaporate so, if it used then quick drying on the skin occur.
Skin conditioning agents	The skin conditioning agents used are aloe Vera extract and glycerin.	Do you know aloe Vera minimize the irritation caused by deet? It can also use as a smoothening agent. Glycerin can hydrate and retain the moisture on your skin.
Fragrances	This is optional but if used, then any type of light fragrance.	You can use any light fragrance to mask the odor of deet.
Stabilizers and preservatives	The BHT which is butylated hydroxytoluene used as a stabilizer and parabens or phenoxyethanol used as a preservative.	The stabilizer is used as an antioxidant and prevent the oxidation of the product. In this way, the shelf life of the insect repellent increases. The preservatives are used to prevent the microbial growth in the insect repellents.
Propellants	You can use butane, propane and isobutene in aerosol sprays.	Do you know the function of propellants? It can used to pressurize the can for spray formulation.

8.How to manufacture the insect repellent deet spray?

Are you manufacturer of insect repellant deet spray? Do you want the step-by-step procedure of manufacturing insect repellent deet spray in industries? Let’s dive into the step-by-step manufacturing procedure of insect repellent deet spray.

Raw material preparation

You should source all the ingredients for the manufacturing procedure. The ingredients includes deet (N, N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) which is active ingredient and some optional ingredients which are fragrances, aloe Vera and glycerin. You should prepare the solvents which are ethanol and water, and for aerosol sprays, propellants should be used.

Mixing and blending:

Mixing and blending of liquid ingredients-Picture courtesy: armfield

The prepared raw materials are then mixed and blend in a mixing tank. The mixing tank should have agitator. You should add the solvents in the tank, then should add deet and followed by other ingredients. All the ingredients should mix and blend at controlled speed. You should also calibrate the blade speed for the effective mixing procedure. Mix them well until homogenous mixture obtained.

Filtration:

Filtration of homogenous mixture-Picture courtesy: globalfilter

The mixture should then passed through the filters. You must be thinking why the homogenous mixture is passed through the filter? Well, it can filter or remove the very minute particulates if present in the mixture. After the filtration, you will get clear and uniform spray solution.

Quality control:

You should test each batch for the testing of PH, stability under heat, temperature and humidity, presence and concentration of active ingredient deet, and microbial safety.

Filling and labelling:

You should filled the prepared batch in the type of filling depending, you wants spray bottle or aerosol.

Filling of spray bottles-Picture courtesy: aligned-machinery.com

For regular spray bottle, you should simply use liquid filling machine having nozzles. The bottles are filled with insect repellent deet liquid. The bottles can then be capped, sealed and labelled.

Filling of aerosol bottles

For filling into aerosol containers, you should use aerosol filling machine. When aerosol containers are filled with liquid solution, then propellants which can be propane or butane are injected. The cans can then be labelled.

Packaging:

Spray bottle insertion into the carton by hot melt glue mechanism

The filled spray bottles and aerosol are then packed into various styled cartons to ensure their safety and exposure with the environment.

9.Which machines are involved in the manufacturing of insect repellent deet spray?

If you are producing the insect repellent deet spray on industrial level then the machines are involved in its production. Whether you are manufacturing liquid spray bottle or aerosol spray, the following machines are involved in the industrial-scale preparation of insect repellent deet spray.

Mixing and blending equipment:

Stainless steel mixing tank:

Stainless steel mixing tank

All the ingredients should add in the stainless steel mixing tank. The mixing tank blend and mix deet, ethanol, water, aloe Vera extract, and other ingredients. The proper mixing of all the components ensure no separation of these ingredients.

High shear mixer:

AIPAK high shear mixer

The formulation is then put into the high shear mixer which helps in the emulsification of the mixture. It improves the stability of the formulation. The combined effort of rotating blades and stationary stator can mixes and dispersed all the ingredients.by this, you can get small particle sized homogenous mixture.

Filtration equipment:

Cartridge filter system:

Filtration Unit with wound filter cartridges-Picture courtesy: winston-royalguard.com

The prepared formulation is then passed through cartridge filter system which removes the micron sized particulates if present in the formulation. This filter can remove undissolved particles from the liquid solution. After filtration, clear and consistent liquid can be obtained.

Filling machines:

Trigger Spray Bottle Filling machine production line

AIPAK Spray bottle filling production line

The natural and non-aerosol sprays products are filled into plastic or glass bottles by using this machine. This machine can handle different shaped and sized spray bottles. It has a complete production line in which precise filling, seals the bottles with pump sprayers or caps. In this way, you can get precise filled deet spray bottles.

Aerosol Filling Machine (For Aerosol Sprays):

Aerosol filling machine-Picture courtesy: revo.com

The propellant-based insect repellents deet solutions are filled into the metal aerosol cans by using this machine. It can precisely filled the liquids into the metallic cans, and performs valve crimping and propellant gassing in sequence. The propellants that is propane and butane are injected into the cans.

After injecting the propellant, aerosol cans are sealed by using crimping heads. These cans are then labelled with an essential information regarding insect repellent deet solution.

Labelling machine:

AIPAK labelling machine

The insect repellent spray bottles and aerosol can spray are then automatically labelled by using labeling machine. On the conveyor, the spray bottles are placed which are passed for applying the pre-printed labels. The labels are pressed onto the spray bottles and smooth adhesion occur. The labelled spray bottles are then passed to the next stage. The thermal printer print the batch number, QR code, and manufacturing and expiry date on the bottles.

Packaging equipment:

Cartoning machine:

AIPAK cartoning machine

By using cartoning machine, the spray bottles and aerosol sprays are automatically placed into the boxes and cartons. Cartons are automatically erected into shape, placed the spray bottles into it and then flap the folds which is then sealed them. Now you can collect the filled cartons on the conveyor. This machine ensures the safety of the bottles. Now your products are ready for shipping and retail distribution.

10.Can the insect repellent deet spray effect your skin?

Contact of insect repellent deet spray with skin-Picture courtesy: travelclinicny.com

Imagine you are using skincare or personal care products but sometimes you feel the dryness, redness or irritation by using those products. Right? This is because of your skin sensitivity to some chemicals. Same is the case with insect repellent deet spray but it depends upon how is it used and your skin type.

If applied in moderation and correctly:

Apply deet spray in moderation and correctly while hiking (outdoor activities)

For most people deet spray is safe and can protect you from mosquitoes, ticks, or other biting insects but if you have sensitive skin then you should use the insect repellent deet spray correctly. Apply it to only those areas that are exposed to insects. Also wash the area when you returns indoor.

11.How should insect repellent deet spray be stored to maintain its effectiveness?

If you store skincare product carelessly then it can lose it strengthen and become unsafe. Do you want to keep your insect repellent spray effective and safe? For this purpose, you should store it properly.

Storage tips	Explanation
Keep it cool, not hot	You should keep the insect repellent deet spray in cool place or store at room temperature. You should avoid the product from high temperature, sunlight or flames. Why? Because the heat can change the chemical stability of the products and can reduce the effectiveness of deet against the biting insects. In case of aerosol spray, the heat can build pressure within the can.
Avoid damp or humid areas	You should not keep the spray in a place where high humidity occur. Do you know the humid or moisture build places? It’s a bathroom and sinks. These are the areas where moisture content is high. But why should not keep in such places? Well, it’s due to the effecting of spray nozzle caused by humidity.
Don’t refrigerate or freeze	You must sure that the spray should not kept in fridge or refrigerator. Do you know the reason? Because the low temperature can alter the consistency of the liquid. Due to consistency, the spray mechanism can clog.
Keep it out of reach of children	Keep the insect repellent deet spray away from reach of children and pets. Even deet spray is safe for everyone but if accidently ingested or exposure with mucous membrane occurred, then it can be harmful.

Conclusion:

After reading this mini blog about insect repellent deet spray, you have reached at the conclusion that this solution is the most trusted and effective solution against mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects. You can simply enjoy a peaceful evening walk in the backyard or hiking a mountain by applying this spray. This FAQ guide by AIPAK ENGINEERING has provided you all the information about the insect repellent deet spray. We can also provide you right tools for the manufacturing of this spray and for your safety. For more information, contact us!