What is DEET and why is it important?

DEET is the active chemical ingredient used in many insect repellents. It is highly effective at repelling pests such as mosquitoes, which may carry diseases like malaria, dengue and West Nile Virus, and ticks that may carry Lyme disease. It is recommended by organizations such as the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SC Johnson offers products containing from 4% DEET to 98%. The higher the percentage of DEET in a repellent, the longer the protection lasts.