Do mosquito repellent sprays work on all insects?
The most common active ingredient in insect repellents is N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (other name: N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide; abbreviated DEET). It provides protection against mosquitoes and many other insects. After various interesting hypotheses, it is currently assumed that mosquitoes simply smell DEET directly and avoid it.&#091;1&#093;