Relative repellency of two formulations of N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (deet) and permethrin-treated clothing against Culex sitiens and Aedes vigilax in Thailand

Field tests were conducted to compare the effectiveness of 2 repellent formulations of N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (deet) in combination with permethrin-impregnated military uniforms against Culex sitiens and Aedes vigilax in Thailand. Repellency was determined during a 2 h crepuscular period using volunteers who had been treated with repellents 6, 8, 10, and 12 h prior to the end of each test period. An extended-duration repellent formulation (EDRF) containing 35% deet repelled significantly more Ae. vigilax than 75% deet in ethanol. Although not statistically significant, the EDRF also resulted in fewer biting attempts by Cx. sitiens. Neither formulation provided complete protection against either species 4-12 h post-application, but both provided greater overall protection against Ae. vigilax. Volunteers who wore treated uniforms without repellents were attacked by significantly fewer mosquitoes than controls.