Is bug spray 100% effective?
Is bug spray 100% effective? No repellent is 100 percent effective, so take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Check out the CDC's West Nile Virus maps to find out if you are in a high-risk area. The CDC advises not to use Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or PMD on very young children, so avoid it while pregnant.
Why is DEET banned?
In 1998 the Environmental Protection Agency conducted a definitive assessment of the chemical. The agency turned up 46 seizures and four deaths that were potentially linked to deet exposure. It estimated that since 1960, the incidence of seizures with a potential link to deet exposure was 1 per 100 million uses.