Vector-borne disease section

Educational Materials and Resources

Find the Repellent that is Right for You – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Using Insect Repellents Safety and Effectively – EPA
For more information on how the EPA registers and regulates insect repellents, visit the EPA skin-applied repellents regulation webpage
For information on scientific studies that have compared the effects of EPA-registered active ingredients and natural ingredients, view the following resources:

Comparing Efficacy of DEET and Other Insect Repellents – National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)
The Efficacy of Some Commercially Available Insect Repellents for Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus – Journal of Insect Science, Volume 15, Issue 1, January 2015

For more information about the safety of DEET, please visit:

Digital Educational Materials

The following CDPH materials are available to download and share or link on your website:

Repellent fact sheet (PDF)
Repellent resource card (PDF)
Insect Repellent Guide for Parents and Caregivers (PDF)

Social Media Messages & Graphics

For a selection of social media messages and graphics for West Nile virus and mosquito bite prevention, please visit the California West Nile Virus Sample Social Media webpage.

Repellent Graphics

Click an image to view and download
Spanish graphics available below

Mosquitoes in California are most active in summer and early fall. Use insect repellent to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Ticks in California can bite all year round. Use insect repellent to protect yourself from tick bites.

Fight the bite: apply a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient.

Mosquitoes are out to bite - protect yourself with insect repellent.

Repellent Quick Facts

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	Suggested message: Mosquitoes and ticks can spread disease if they bite you. Help prevent West Nile virus, Zika, and Lyme disease by using insect #repellent. Learn more: https://bit.ly/cdphrepellent
	Suggested message: Insect repellent keeps bugs from biting you - it doesn't kill them. #Repellent keeps mosquitoes and ticks away by blocking their ability to find and bite you. Learn more: https://bit.ly/cdphrepellent
	Suggested message: Always use insect #repellent as directed. DEET works well, and so does picaridin, which is similar to a natural compound found in black pepper. Learn more: https://bit.ly/cdphrepellent
	Suggested message: Only reapply insect #repellent as directed by label instructions, or if you get wet. Repellents with a higher percentage of active ingredient will work longer to protect you. Learn more: https://bit.ly/cdphrepellent
	Suggested message: Citronella candles and essential oils have not been proven to prevent bug bites. Use EPA-registered #repellents, which are tested for safety and proven to work. Learn more: https://bit.ly/cdphrepellent