DEET

chemical compound

Also known as: N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide

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Last updated

July 18, 2026

Quick Summary

DEET, or N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, is a chemical compound primarily known as an effective insect and tick repellent. It is a colorless, oily liquid first used in 1961. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends products containing DEET for the best protection against mosquitoes and ticks. While DEET is generally effective, some insect species, like the mosquito Aedes aegypti, can develop insensitivity to it relatively quickly.12

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chemoreception
Altering pest behavior
…the compound commercially known as DEET to repel biting arthropods, especially mosquitoes and ticks. The active ingredient is N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, which is mixed with other compounds to produce appropriate patterns of release in different circumstances. While DEET generally is effective against insects, there is evidence that several species, including the mosquito…
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…the compound commercially known as DEET to repel biting arthropods, especially mosquitoes and ticks. The active ingredient is N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, which is mixed with other compounds to produce appropriate patterns of release in different circumstances. While DEET generally is effective against insects, there is evidence that several species, including the mosquito…
Read More