August 1946 
3-698 
United States Department of Agriculture 
Agricultural Researoh Administration 
Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine 
USE OF INSECT REPELLENTS AND MITICIDES l/ 
By B. V. Travis and F. A. Morton 
Division of Inseots Affecting Man and Animals 
During the last several years thousands of chemicals have been 
tested to determine their value in repelling various kinds of insects. 
Out of this large number a few new repellents and mitioides have been 
developed which give effective protection from the bites of mosquitoes, 
punkies (no-see-ums), black flies and other biting flies, and chiggers, 
or red bugs (mites). Unlike the older repellents, these materials 
have little or no odor and they remain effective from two to several 
hours even when these inseots occur in large numbers. This oiroular 
gives information on the availability, use, and effectiveness of these 
insect repellents and miticides. Although they were developed primarily 
for military use, they can also be used safely by civilians. 
Formulations 
The following available repellents are effective and safe when 
used individually or in combination: Dimethyl phthalate. Dimethyl 
Carbate (cis-bicyclo [2,2,1] -5-heptene-2,3-dioarboxylic acid, 
dimethyl ester), Indalone (n-butyl mesityl oxide oxalate), and 
Rutgers 612 (2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol), 
These chemicals vary greatly in their effectiveness against 
different insects and on different individuals. Certain materials 
which are satisfactory against some speoies may fail to repel others. 
Laboratory and field tests have shown that the following mixtures of 
repellents are effective against a wider range of insect species and 
on more.individuals than any one of the chemicals when used alone• 
Formula 1 
Dimethyl phthalate - 3 parts 2/ 
Indalone —-—— 1 part 
Rutgers 612 --1 part 
Formula 2 . 
Dimethyl phthalate - 1 part 
Indalone ———— 1 part 
Rutgers 612-1 part 
l/ The data included in this paper were obtained in connection 
with investigations conducted under a transfer of funds, recommended 
by the Committee on Medioal Research, between the Office of Scientific 
Research and Development and the Bureau of Entomology and Plant 
Quarantine. 
2/ All parts by weight. 
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