The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) considers the four CDC-recognized mosquito repellent active ingredients (DEET, picaridin, PMD, and IR3535) safe for use during pregnancy when applied as directed. The CDC explicitly recommends pregnant women in Zika-risk areas use EPA-registered insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites. Talk to your OB about your specific situation, your travel plans, and your personal preferences before choosing a repellent. This article is educational, not medical advice.
This guide covers what ACOG, CDC, and EPA say about each repellent active during pregnancy, what to ask your OB, and how to make a thoughtful choice based on your trimester and risk level.
What the medical organizations say
ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
ACOG considers the following actives safe for pregnant women at the concentrations and use patterns recommended on EPA-registered product labels:
• up to 30 percent
• up to 20 percent
• at any EPA-approved concentration
• up to 20 percent
ACOG specifically advises pregnant women in areas with active mosquito-borne disease transmission (Zika, malaria, dengue) to use EPA-registered repellent because the risk from mosquito-borne illness during pregnancy is significantly higher than the theoretical risk from CDC-recognized topical repellent.
Source: ACOG Practice Advisory on Zika Virus and similar advisories.
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
The CDC recommends pregnant women in Zika-affected areas use EPA-registered insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites. The CDC's recommendation explicitly states that protecting against mosquito bites during pregnancy outweighs the theoretical risk from topical repellent.
Source: CDC Zika and Pregnancy guidelines.
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
The EPA evaluates pregnancy safety as part of its repellent registration process. The actives currently registered by the EPA for human use have passed pregnancy safety review for the concentrations and use patterns on the label.
What to ask your OB
Before relying on any repellent during pregnancy, have a quick conversation with your OB. Topics worth covering:
1. This shifts the risk calculation significantly. Mosquito-borne illness during pregnancy can be much more harmful than topical repellent.
2. If so, which actives have you tolerated in the past?
3. Some OBs have institutional or training-based preferences. There is no single "best for pregnancy" active, but your OB may suggest one based on your history.
4. Lower-frequency reapplication (long-duration picaridin) versus more-frequent reapplication (shorter-duration PMD) is a small consideration but worth discussing.
5. Most OBs do not flag specific concerns about the CDC-recognized actives, but it is worth asking based on your specific history.
Comparison: the four CDC-recognized actives
| Active | ACOG pregnancy position | Plant-based | Hours of protection | Skin feel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEET 25-30% | Safe as directed | No | 8-10 hours | Oily, medicinal odor |
| Picaridin 20% | Safe as directed | No (synthetic) | 8-12 hours | Light, no odor |
| PMD 8-30% | Safe as directed | Yes (from lemon eucalyptus) | 4-6 hours | Pleasant herbal-citrus scent |
| IR3535 20% | Safe as directed | No (synthetic) | 4-8 hours | Light, gentle |
All four are considered safe during pregnancy by ACOG. The choice usually comes down to skin feel, plant-based preference, duration of protection, and what your OB recommends.
What about avoiding repellent entirely during pregnancy?
In areas without significant mosquito-borne disease, physical protection alone is a reasonable choice:
• Long sleeves and long pants in light colors
• Window and door screens with no tears
• Mosquito netting if outdoors at dawn or dusk
• Avoiding peak mosquito hours
• Empty standing water sources near your home
In areas with active Zika, dengue, or malaria transmission, ACOG and CDC both advise that topical repellent is the safer choice over physical protection alone. The risk of mosquito-borne illness during pregnancy is greater than the theoretical risk from topical repellent.
Pregnancy-specific application tips
When pregnant women do use repellent, application matters:
Apply lightly
Spray or wipe enough to cover exposed skin once. Do not over-apply. There is no efficacy benefit to layering more on.
Avoid the abdomen
Most repellent application happens on arms, legs, neck. There is no specific medical concern about abdominal application, but the area is rarely exposed and many pregnant women feel more comfortable avoiding it.
Apply to clothing where possible
The CDC and AAP both recommend applying repellent to clothing rather than skin where you can. This is especially relevant for kids but applies to pregnant women too. Picaridin (one of the more skin-friendly options) does not damage most synthetic fabric.
Wash off at the end of the day
Wash exposed skin with soap and water once you are indoors and no longer needing protection. This prevents accumulation over many days of use.
Avoid the face during pregnancy
For face protection, apply repellent to your hands first, then transfer to cheeks and the back of the neck (avoiding eyes, mouth, and nose). Wipes are easier than spray for face application.
What about non-repellent alternatives during pregnancy?
If you and your OB decide to avoid topical repellent during pregnancy:
• for outdoor use (permethrin is for clothing, not skin, so the skin-exposure concern does not apply)
• for outdoor seating and over the bed in non-screened lodging
• in light colors
• in tight repair
• in indoor sitting areas (mosquitoes are weak fliers)
• (dawn and dusk for most species, but daytime for Aedes aegypti in tropical zones)
This combination provides reasonable protection in low-disease-risk environments.
Common questions about mosquito repellent during pregnancy
Is DEET safe during pregnancy?
ACOG considers DEET safe for pregnant women at EPA-recommended concentrations (up to 30 percent). The CDC explicitly recommends DEET-based repellent for pregnant women in Zika-affected areas. Talk to your OB if you have specific concerns.
Is picaridin safer than DEET during pregnancy?
ACOG considers both safe. Picaridin has a slightly lower skin-irritation rate and no documented neurological concerns, but the difference in pregnancy-specific safety is small. Both are good choices when used as directed.
Can I use natural mosquito repellent during pregnancy?
The only CDC-recognized plant-based active is PMD (oil of lemon eucalyptus). ACOG considers PMD safe during pregnancy at EPA-approved concentrations. Citronella, peppermint, and other essential oils that are not CDC-recognized are not specifically restricted but also do not provide reliable mosquito protection.
What if I'm planning a trip to Costa Rica or Mexico while pregnant?
For travel to areas with active Zika, dengue, or malaria transmission, the CDC recommends pregnant women either defer travel or use EPA-registered insect repellent rigorously. Check the current CDC travel page for your specific destination and trimester. Talk to your OB before booking.
Are repellent wipes safer than sprays during pregnancy?
Wipes and sprays use the same active ingredients. The wipe format gives more controlled application and reduces overspray. There is no specific pregnancy-safety advantage of one format over the other, but wipes are often easier to use for targeted application.
What about applying repellent in the first trimester?
ACOG's safe-as-directed position applies throughout pregnancy. There is no first-trimester-specific restriction on CDC-recognized actives. If you have concerns, talk to your OB.
Can I use mosquito repellent while breastfeeding?
Yes. The same CDC-recognized actives are considered safe during breastfeeding. Avoid applying to the chest area or the hands you will use to handle your baby. Wash hands before nursing.
Where Superbloc fits
Superbloc's 8 percent PMD spray contains an active ingredient that ACOG considers safe during pregnancy at EPA-approved concentrations. The formula is alcohol-free, water-based, with aloe and chamomile, which some sensitive-skin users prefer.
We are not making a pregnancy-specific health claim. Like any repellent during pregnancy, talk to your OB before using Superbloc to make sure it fits your situation.
Browse:
• 8 percent PMD spray, alcohol-free, water-based with aloe and chamomile.
• The wipe format for controlled application.
Featured in goop and Harper's Bazaar.
Written by Tanya Lee, Founder, Superbloc. This article is educational and not medical advice. Talk to your OB or family doctor about repellent use during pregnancy.
