Mosquito spray with DEET: Does it really attract insects?

The statement sounds counterintuitive and unsettles many holidaymakers: mosquito spray with DEET is said to have the opposite effect and attract insects instead of repelling them. n-tv has checked the myth and gives the all-clear.

DEET (diethyltoluamide) is one of the most thoroughly researched insect repellent substances of all. The active ingredient works by confusing the sensory organs of mosquitoes – it blocks the receptors that insects use to track down humans. This is the opposite of attraction.

The origin of the myth

So where does the claim come from? It is possible that people are confusing two different effects here: at very high concentrations, DEET can indeed act as an attractant – but only at concentrations far above those contained in commercially available sprays. Typical products for private use contain between 10 and 30 percent DEET, which is completely sufficient and safe.

Another reason for the confusion could be that some people are still bitten by mosquitoes after applying mosquito spray. However, this is not because the spray attracts mosquitoes, but because the protection is not complete – especially in areas that were not sufficiently covered, or if the spray is washed off too early.

Relevant for beach holidays: SWR warns of other dangers in sand and water – such as bacteria and skin infections, which cause problems far more frequently than mosquito bites. Those who want to protect themselves should rely on proven measures: apply mosquito spray with DEET, wear long clothing, and stay indoors at dusk when mosquitoes are most active.