Reduction of Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Attacks on a Human Subject by Combination of Wind and Vapor-Phase DEET Repellent

In a Central Michigan wetland setting, air drawn through a DEET-impregnated screen using an electric fan and projected toward a human subject significantly reduced mosquito orientation by 74%, landing by 75%, and probing by 70%, relative to no applied wind or DEET. The DEET vapor effect was significant as revealed by a statistically significant wind/DEET interaction. The wind speed at the downwind human subject was 0.6 m/s and the DEET vapor concentration was estimated at 2 μg/liter air. We suggest a combination of directed wind and volatile repellent might be developed as a mosquito deterrent strategy for the backyard setting.