It's Been Around 70 Years and Used Billions of Times -- So Why Is Everyone Afraid of DEET?

DEET has been used for nearly 70 years and billions of applications, but concern persists as tick- and mosquito-borne threats rise. The CDC estimates that up to 450,000 Americans may be affected by alpha-gal syndrome, linked to bites from the lone star tick, which can trigger a potentially life-threatening allergy to red meats, dairy, and some gelatin-containing pills; it has no cure. Meanwhile, West Nile virus saw a 41% increase in severe cases in 2025. Experts quoted in the piece argue that EPA-registered repellents, including DEET and picaridin, are preferable to unregistered “natural” options and note DEET’s long safety record under label directions.