Describe the role of repellents in personal protection and name a common active ingredient.

• A. Repellents reduce host-seeking contact; DEET is a common active ingredient.
• B. Repellents kill mosquitoes on contact; DEET is the only ingredient.
• C. Repellents attract mosquitoes, increasing risk.
• D. Repellents are only for indoor use.

Answer: (C)

Repellents protect you by making you less detectable to mosquitoes, so they’re less likely to approach and bite. They interfere with the mosquitoes’ ability to find you using cues like body odors and carbon dioxide, effectively reducing host-seeking behavior. They are not insecticides and do not kill mosquitoes on contact; their job is to deter.

A common active ingredient is DEET, which has proven effectiveness across a range of products and concentrations. Other useful repellents exist as well, but DEET is one of the most widely used and recognized. Repellents can be applied to skin and clothing and are suitable for outdoor use, protecting you from bites when you’re outside.