picaridin
 

Hi All,
Anybody used this new insect repellent Picaridin? CDC says better than DEET.
http://www.picaridin.com/endorsements.htm
regrds - tom

Looks interesting, but haven't seen it on any shelves yet. I think the CDC says as effective than DEET, but possibly less irritating. That would be nice. Also nice if it wouldn't melt plastic...

In USA, REI carrys it, 6oz spray bottle $5.95. And, it is harmless to plastics.
regards - tom

After mention in a Wall Street Journal article, I ordered two alternatives to deet from REI since I really don't care to use deet if I don't need to. Each of these products mentioned have active ingredients (picaridin and lemon eucalyptus) discussed on the CDC website.

One product is Repel Lemon Eucalyptus. It comes in a 4oz tube. It has an odor I didn't care for (but that is a personal thing)and it says not to use it on children under 3 and it has some of the same warnings as deet but does not appear to have the quality of melting plastic, etc. The other product is Cutter Advanced. It uses picaridin as its active ingredient. It comes in a 6oz spray as mentioned, does not have an odor and does not come with all the warnings of use related to deet and lemon eucalyptus. I plan to take the Cutter Advanced on my trip. Not sue what to do with the Lemon Eucalyptus tubes.....(where can I get those smiley faces?)

I'm also interested
in Picaridin and cannot find it. What and where is REI. Excuse my ignorance. garthc

REI is an outdoor store for gear, clothing, etc. for hiking and camping. Here is a link. Search for picaridin once at the web site.

http://www.rei.com/online/store

I saw a new "Cutter" insect repellent with Picaridin in a small canister like container last night in Walgreens. It was the first time I had heard of this new ingredient and was wondering about it!

Yes, that's it - Cutter has the new Picaridin. There was an entire news blurb on TV about this last week or week before that. I haven't seen it in the stores, but they seem to be the first in the States. I'm sure by next years "mossie biting season" in the North, there will be more companies providing this alternative to Deet.

Just saw Cutter Advanced in little 1-OZ spray bottles at Walmart checkout for under $1. Much nicer for travel than than the big 6 OZ.

I used Cutter Advanced and took vitamin B-1 and never got bit once as far as I know this past July in Kenya. My travel companions were bit and we saw a lot of mosquitos in Amboselli. I started the B-1 two weeks in advance. I do not know which one contributed the most to my success. I did not use DEET at all.