In a bug spray, is "Deet" good, or is it bad?

Question

The bug spray I have in my house just happens to brag on the front of the bottle "100% DEET FREE!" I automatically assumed Deet was something bad.

However, when I went over a friend's house for a cookout today, they had bug spray that boasted it's 40% Deet content, right on the front.

Both brands/bottle are current; neither are over a few months old.

So what's the deal-- is Deet good, or bad? Why?

Answer 1

Deet is what keeps the insects off of you. It is poisonous if you eat it, though, but I don't see how a bug repellent could be free of bug repellent.

Answer 2

deet is like a super strong poison, good from the no-bugs-anywhere-near-you point of view, not so good from the environmental point of view since it kills bugs and little plants, etc, and can be bad if it gets in a water source

Answer 3

DEET is the most effective way to get rid of bugs that's why they boast on the front. BUT it is also toxic and there are other ways, natural ways of repelling bugs.