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Picaridin vs 2-Undecanone

The same eleven questions, side by side, each answer in the agency's words. No verdict from us: we sell a product built on one of these actives, so the agencies do the talking.

Picaridinicaridin, KBR 3023
2-Undecanonemethyl nonyl ketone

Per EPA's tool

Picaridin

Registered; 55 products in EPA's tool; 3 to 14 h mosquitoes, 5 to 14 h ticks.

2-Undecanone

Registered; 1 product in EPA's tool; 5 h mosquitoes, 2 h ticks.

What is it, and where does it come from?

Picaridin

A human-made compound, NPIC says, widely used in Europe and Australia, available in the U.S. only since 2005.

Source and detail: NPIC

Picaridin is a human-made compound first made in the 1980s; NPIC's picaridin fact sheet says it was made to resemble the natural compound piperine, found in the group of plants used to produce black pepper. NPIC says it was widely used as an insect repellent in Europe and Australia but has only been available in the United States since 2005.

Picaridin repels insects, ticks and chiggers. It is a human-made (synthetic) compound first made in the 1980s. It was made to resemble the natural compound piperine, which is found in the group of plants that are used to produce black pepper.

NPIC, Picaridin General Fact Sheet

Picaridin has been widely used as an insect repellent in Europe and Australia, but has only been available in the United States since 2005.

NPIC, Picaridin General Fact Sheet
2-Undecanone

2-Undecanone is methyl nonyl ketone; one 2008 paper says it was originally derived from wild tomato plants.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book 2024, U.S. EPA, Witting-Bissinger BE

2-Undecanone is methyl nonyl ketone; CDC's Yellow Book files it with the biopesticide repellents, derived from or synthetic versions of natural materials. A 2008 Journal of Medical Entomology paper says the 7.75 percent 2-undecanone in the repellent EPA registered in 2007 was originally derived from wild tomato plants. EPA's 1995 reregistration fact sheet describes methyl nonyl ketone as a dog and cat repellent, training aid and iris borer deterrent.

2-undecanone (chemical name: methyl nonyl ketone)

CDC Yellow Book 2024, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture)

EPA characterizes the active ingredients DEET and picaridin as "conventional" repellents. The biopesticide repellents (OLE, PMD, IR3535, and 2-undecanone) are derived from, or are synthetic versions of, natural materials.

CDC Yellow Book 2024, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture)

In 2007, a new repellent, BioUD, with the active ingredient 7.75% 2-undecanone, originally derived from wild tomato (Lycopersicon hirsutum Dunal f. glabratum C. H. Müll) plants, was registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Witting-Bissinger BE, Stumpf CF, Donohue KV, Apperson CS, Roe RM. Novel arthropod repellent, BioUD, is an efficacious alternative to deet. J Med Entomol. 2008 Sep;45(5):891-8. PMID 18826032

Methyl nonyl ketone is a dog and cat repellent/training aid and iris borer deterrent. The pesticide is used in households, paths, patios, solid waste containers and on ornamental plants.

U.S. EPA, R.E.D. FACTS Methyl Nonyl Ketone, EPA-738-F-95-033, July 1995

How does EPA treat it?

Picaridin

Registered since 2001; EPA's 2005 fact sheet says normal use does not present a health concern.

Source and detail: EPA

Registered: EPA's 2005 picaridin fact sheet gives 2001 as the year of initial registration. The same fact sheet says picaridin generally is of low acute toxicity and that, based on the available toxicological data, the Agency believes normal use of picaridin does not present a health concern to the general U.S. population.

Year of Initial Registration: 2001

EPA, New Pesticide Fact Sheet: Picaridin, May 2005

Picaridin generally is of low acute toxicity, and based on the available toxicological data, the Agency believes that the normal use of Picaridin does not present a health concern to the general U.S. population

EPA, New Pesticide Fact Sheet: Picaridin, May 2005
2-Undecanone

EPA lists 2-undecanone in one registered skin-applied product; no EPA skin-repellent fact sheet found.

Source and detail: U.S. EPA

EPA's skin-applied ingredients page, updated January 2026, lists 2-undecanone, or methyl nonyl ketone, as the active ingredient in one registered product. We found no EPA fact sheet for it as a skin repellent; the EPA chemical document we did find, the July 1995 R.E.D. Facts for methyl nonyl ketone, was written for its use as a dog and cat repellent, training aid and iris borer deterrent.

2-undecanone -- EPA pesticide regulatory information (or methyl nonyl ketone) (1 product)

U.S. EPA, Skin-Applied Repellent Ingredients, last updated January 23, 2026

Methyl nonyl ketone is a dog and cat repellent/training aid and iris borer deterrent. The pesticide is used in households, paths, patios, solid waste containers and on ornamental plants.

U.S. EPA, R.E.D. FACTS Methyl Nonyl Ketone, EPA-738-F-95-033, July 1995

What strengths are registered, and does strength change protection?

Picaridin

EPA lists products at 5, 5.75, 7, 10 and 20%; CDC says higher concentrations generally protect longer.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book, EPA

No EPA page we read states a picaridin percentage range in prose; EPA's 2005 picaridin fact sheet lists registered formulations at 5 and 7 percent (pump sprays), 10 percent (aerosol) and 5.75 percent (towelette wipes), and EPA's repellent search tool lists 20 percent picaridin lotion, spray and wipe products. CDC's Yellow Book says higher concentrations of active ingredients generally provide longer protection, regardless of the active ingredient.

Registered: 96.8% a.i. Technical; 5% & 7% pump sprays; 10% aerosol spray and 5.75% towelette wipes

EPA, New Pesticide Fact Sheet: Picaridin, May 2005

Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion | 14 | 14 | Picaridin | 20 | Sawyer Products | 39967-50-58188

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray | 12 | 12 | Picaridin | 20 | The PIC20 Group, LLC | 93221-1

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

Natrapel 8 Hour Insect Repellent Wipes | 8 | 8 | Picaridin | 20 | Tender Corp. | 56575-14

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

In general, higher concentrations of active ingredients provide longer duration of protection, regardless of the active ingredient. Products with <10% active ingredient might offer only limited protection, often 1-2 hours. Products that offer sustained-release or controlled-release (microencapsulated) formulations, even with lower active ingredient concentrations, might provide longer protection times. Studies suggest that DEET efficacy tends to peak at a concentration of approximately 50% and that concentrations above that do not offer a marked increase in protection time against mosquitoes.

CDC Yellow Book, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-19)
2-Undecanone

One label declares 7.75 percent; CDC says higher concentrations generally protect longer, regardless of the active.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book 2024, NPIC, U.S. EPA, U.S. EPA accepted label

One strength is on the record: the accepted label for Bio-UD-8 Spray (EPA Reg. No. 82669-2) declares 2-undecanone at 7.75 percent, and EPA's ingredients page lists the active in one registered product. On strength in general, CDC's Yellow Book says that in general higher concentrations of active ingredient provide longer protection regardless of the active, and NPIC says higher concentration repellents may protect longer but are not better at keeping insects away.

ACTIVE INGREDIENT 2-Undecanone [CAS# 112-12-9] ..... . 7.75% OTHER INGREDIENTS ............................. .. 92.25%

U.S. EPA accepted label, Bio-UD-8 Spray, EPA Reg. No. 82669-2, January 8, 2009

2-undecanone -- EPA pesticide regulatory information (or methyl nonyl ketone) (1 product)

U.S. EPA, Skin-Applied Repellent Ingredients, last updated January 23, 2026

In general, higher concentrations of active ingredients provide longer duration of protection, regardless of the active ingredient.

CDC Yellow Book 2024, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture)

Higher concentration repellents may protect people for longer. However, they are not better at keeping insects away. 5,6,7 Repellents with less than 10% of an active ingredient may only offer protection for short periods of time (1-2 hours). 5

NPIC, Insect Repellents General Fact Sheet

How long does EPA say it protects?

Picaridin

EPA's tool lists one 20% lotion at 14 hours, a spray at 12, wipes at 8.

Source and detail: EPA, U.S. EPA

EPA's repellent search tool lists 20 percent picaridin products by form. Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion, EPA Reg. No. 39967-50-58188, lists 14 hours for mosquitoes and ticks; Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, lists 12 hours, and Natrapel 8 Hour Insect Repellent Wipes, EPA Reg. No. 56575-14, lists 8. EPA says protection times vary because testing conditions differ, and that the tool's database was last updated in June 2019.

Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion | 14 | 14 | Picaridin | 20 | Sawyer Products | 39967-50-58188

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray | 12 | 12 | Picaridin | 20 | The PIC20 Group, LLC | 93221-1

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

Natrapel 8 Hour Insect Repellent Wipes | 8 | 8 | Picaridin | 20 | Tender Corp. | 56575-14

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You, search results for picaridin, cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect_s

While this technical information is based on scientific testing guidelines and approved study methods, there are variations in the resulting protection times because of differences in the testing conditions.

EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You

Any products listed are for informational purposes only. Inclusion of a product listed/referenced is not an endorsement. * EPA and the U.S. Government do not endorse any product or service. * The information in this database was last updated in June 2019.

U.S. EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You
2-Undecanone

EPA's tool lists 5 hours for mosquitoes, 2 for ticks; the label says up to 4.5 and 2.

Source and detail: U.S. EPA, U.S. EPA accepted label

EPA's repellent search tool, whose database EPA says was last updated in June 2019, lists Bio-UD-8 Spray (EPA Reg. No. 82669-2, 7.75 percent) at 5 hours for mosquitoes and 2 hours for ticks. The product's 2009 accepted label says it repels mosquitoes for up to 4.5 hours and ticks that may transmit Lyme disease for up to 2 hours, and says for best results to spray skin every 4.5 hours.

| BIO-UD-8 Spray | 5 | 2 | 2-undecanone | 7.75 | HOMS LLC | 82669-2

U.S. EPA, Insect Repellents: Use and Effectiveness search results for 2-undecanone

Product Name Hourly Protection Time for Mosquitoes Hourly Protection Time for Ticks Active Ingredient(AI) AI% in Product Formula Company Name EPA Registration Number

U.S. EPA, Insect Repellents: Use and Effectiveness search results for 2-undecanone

Any products listed are for informational purposes only. Inclusion of a product listed/referenced is not an endorsement. * EPA and the U.S. Government do not endorse any product or service. * The information in this database was last updated in June 2019.

U.S. EPA, Find the Repellent that is Right for You

Repels mosquitoes for up to 4.5 hours Repels mosquitoes that may carry West Nile Virus for

U.S. EPA accepted label, Bio-UD-8 Spray, EPA Reg. No. 82669-2, January 8, 2009

Repels ticks that may transmit Lyme Disease for up to 2 hours

U.S. EPA accepted label, Bio-UD-8 Spray, EPA Reg. No. 82669-2, January 8, 2009

Shake well before using. This bottle is. designed to spray upside down. For best results spray skin every 4.5 hours.

U.S. EPA accepted label, Bio-UD-8 Spray, EPA Reg. No. 82669-2, January 8, 2009

Which pests do accepted labels name, and what does CDC say those pests carry?

Picaridin

A 20% label names mosquitoes, ticks, biting, stable, black and sand flies, gnats, chiggers and Scottish biting midges.

Source and detail: EPA stamped master label

The master label for a 20 percent picaridin spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, claims 12 hour protection from ticks and mosquitoes and up to 8 hours against biting flies, stable flies, black flies, gnats, chiggers, sand flies and Scottish biting midges. The label's bracketed wording on disease is "mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, Dengue [Fever], and Zika [Virus] and ticks carrying Lyme disease and tick borne encephalitis."

[Long-lasting, 12 hour effective protection from ticks and mosquitoes including mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, Dengue [Fever], and Zika [Virus] and ticks carrying Lyme disease and tick borne encephalitis.] [Repels biting flies, stable flies, black flies, gnats, chiggers, sand flies, and Scottish biting midges for up to 8 hours.]

EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018

Picaridin ……………………………………………………………………….……20.00%

EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018
2-Undecanone

The label names mosquitoes, ticks and other arthropods.

Source and detail: CDC, U.S. EPA accepted label

The accepted label for Bio-UD-8 Spray (EPA Reg. No. 82669-2) says it repels ticks and other arthropods, mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile virus, and ticks that may transmit Lyme disease. CDC says mosquitoes can spread pathogens through bites, naming West Nile virus, dengue and malaria, and counts Lyme disease among the diseases caused by pathogens some U.S. ticks carry.

Repels ticks and other arthropods

U.S. EPA accepted label, Bio-UD-8 Spray, EPA Reg. No. 82669-2, January 8, 2009

Protection for up to 4.5 hours from Repels ticks and other arthropods mosquitoes that may transmit West Nile Virus

U.S. EPA accepted label, Bio-UD-8 Spray, EPA Reg. No. 82669-2, January 8, 2009

Repels ticks that may transmit Lyme Disease for up to 2 hours

U.S. EPA accepted label, Bio-UD-8 Spray, EPA Reg. No. 82669-2, January 8, 2009

Almost everyone has been bitten by a mosquito. Mosquitoes can spread pathogens (germs) through bites. A person who gets bitten by a mosquito and gets sick has a mosquito-borne disease like West Nile virus, dengue, or malaria.

CDC, About Mosquitoes (Wayback Machine capture of cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/index.html)

In the United States, some ticks carry pathogens that can cause human disease, including: * Alpha-gal syndrome * Anaplasmosis * Babesiosis * Bourbon virus * Colorado tick fever * Ehrlichiosis * Hard tick relapsing fever * Heartland virus * Lyme disease * Powassan virus * Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis * Rocky Mountain spotted fever * Soft tick relapsing fever * STARI * Tularemia

CDC, About Ticks and Tickborne Disease (Wayback Machine capture of cdc.gov/ticks/about/index.html)

What do the agencies say about children?

Picaridin

No age limit, CDC says; one label's own wording says children 1 year and older.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book, EPA stamped master label

CDC's Yellow Book says insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and 2-undecanone can be used on children without age restriction. The accepted master label for a 20 percent picaridin spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, carries the optional bracketed line "Suitable for every day use on adults and children 1 year and older," one product's wording rather than an agency statement.

Insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and 2-undecanone can be used on children without age restriction

CDC Yellow Book, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-19)

[Suitable for every day use on adults and children 1 year and older]

EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018

Picaridin ……………………………………………………………………….……20.00%

EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018
2-Undecanone

CDC says no age restriction; the label says an adult should apply it to children under 10.

Source and detail: CDC Yellow Book 2024, NPIC, U.S. EPA accepted label

CDC's Yellow Book says repellents containing 2-undecanone can be used on children without age restriction, and NPIC's fact sheet says that if no age limit appears on a label, EPA has not put age restrictions on the product. The accepted label for EPA Reg. No. 82669-2 says an adult should apply it to children under 10 years of age and that children should not apply it.

Insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and 2-undecanone can be used on children without age restriction (see EPA webpage on Using Insect Repellents Safely and Effectively with Children ).

CDC Yellow Book 2024, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture)

Check the product label to see if there is a minimum age for use. If no age limit is on the label, the EPA has not put age restrictions on the product.

NPIC, Insect Repellents General Fact Sheet

An adult should apply this product to children under 10 years of age. Do not allow children to apply this product

U.S. EPA accepted label, Bio-UD-8 Spray, EPA Reg. No. 82669-2, January 8, 2009

What do CDC and WHO say about pregnancy?

Picaridin

CDC lists it for pregnant and breastfeeding women; NPIC found no human data on reproductive effects.

Source and detail: CDC, NPIC

CDC's Preventing Mosquito Bites page lists picaridin among the active ingredients it names, and says that when used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are "proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women." NPIC's picaridin technical fact sheet states that no human data were found on the teratogenic or reproductive effects of picaridin.

When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. DEET Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the United States)

CDC, Preventing Mosquito Bites (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-16)

Use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

CDC, Preventing Mosquito Bites (Wayback Machine capture 2026-09-16)

No human data were found on the teratogenic or reproductive effects of picaridin.

NPIC, Picaridin Technical Fact Sheet (archived)
2-Undecanone

CDC says EPA recommends no precautions for pregnant or lactating women beyond its usual repellent tips.

Source and detail: CDC, CDC Yellow Book 2024, U.S. EPA, World Health Organization

CDC's tick prevention page lists 2-undecanone among EPA-registered repellent actives, and CDC's Yellow Book says EPA recommends no precautions beyond its usual tips for registered repellents on women who are pregnant or lactating. The WHO malaria and dengue fact sheets we read do not name 2-undecanone. EPA's 1995 methyl nonyl ketone findings report no evidence of maternal toxicity, developmental toxicity or mutagenicity.

Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Look for an EPA registration number (EPA Reg. No.) on the insect repellent product label. This registration number means the company provided EPA with technical information on the effectiveness of the product.

CDC, Preventing Tick Bites (Wayback Machine capture of cdc.gov/ticks/prevention/index.html)

Other than the safety tips listed above, EPA does not recommend any additional precautions for using registered repellents on children or on women who are pregnant or lactating.

CDC Yellow Book 2024, Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Arthropods (Wayback Machine capture)

Use mosquito repellents (containing DEET, IR3535 or Icaridin) after dusk.

World Health Organization, Malaria fact sheet

To lower your risk of getting dengue, protect yourself from mosquito bites by using: * clothes that cover as much of your body as possible; * mosquito nets, ideally sprayed with insect repellent, if sleeping during the day; * window screens; * mosquito repellents (containing DEET, Picaridin or IR3535); and * coils and vaporizers.

World Health Organization, Dengue and severe dengue fact sheet

No evidence of maternal toxicity, developmental toxicity, or mutagenicity is associated with methyl nonyl ketone. Based on available information, no toxicological endpoints of concern (including short term or intermediate term) were identified.

U.S. EPA, R.E.D. FACTS Methyl Nonyl Ketone, EPA-738-F-95-033, July 1995

What do NPIC and EPA report about absorption and toxicity?

Picaridin

NPIC says under 6% absorbs through human skin; EPA calls it low in acute toxicity.

Source and detail: EPA, NPIC

NPIC says 60 percent of picaridin applied to rat skin went through it, while in humans less than 6 percent was absorbed; both excrete almost all in urine within a day. EPA's 2005 fact sheet says technical grade picaridin has low acute oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity, Toxicity Category IV for acute inhalation toxicity and primary dermal irritation, and Category III for acute oral and acute dermal toxicity and primary eye irritation.

When researchers applied picaridin to the skin of rats, 60% of it went through the skin. In humans, less than 6% of the picaridin applied to skin was absorbed. Picaridin may be broken down once it is in the body. Rats and humans excrete almost all of it in their urine within a day of exposure.

NPIC, Picaridin General Fact Sheet

Technical grade Picaridin has low acute oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity. It is classified as Toxicity Category IV for acute inhalation toxicity and primary dermal irritation and Toxicity Category III for acute oral, acute dermal and primary eye irritation.

EPA, New Pesticide Fact Sheet: Picaridin, May 2005
2-Undecanone

EPA's 1995 review of the dog and cat repellent found no oral or inhalation toxicity in animals.

Source and detail: U.S. EPA

EPA's 1995 reregistration of methyl nonyl ketone, the dog and cat repellent, found no toxicity by the oral and inhalation routes in laboratory animals, Toxicity Category IV, the lowest of four, and slight toxicity, Category III, for dermal toxicity, eye irritation and dermal irritation, plus weak dermal sensitization. We found no EPA or NPIC toxicity review of the 7.75 percent skin product.

In studies using laboratory animals, methyl nonyl ketone exhibited no toxicity via the oral and inhalation routes and was placed in Toxicity Category IV (the lowest of four categories) for these effects.

U.S. EPA, R.E.D. FACTS Methyl Nonyl Ketone, EPA-738-F-95-033, July 1995

Methyl nonyl ketone was slightly toxic (Toxicity Category III) for dermal toxicity, eye irritation and dermal irritation and was a weak dermal sensitizer.

U.S. EPA, R.E.D. FACTS Methyl Nonyl Ketone, EPA-738-F-95-033, July 1995

Methyl nonyl ketone is a dog and cat repellent/training aid and iris borer deterrent. The pesticide is used in households, paths, patios, solid waste containers and on ornamental plants.

U.S. EPA, R.E.D. FACTS Methyl Nonyl Ketone, EPA-738-F-95-033, July 1995

Does it damage plastics, fabrics or gear?

Picaridin

Two labels claim no harm to plastics, fishing line, fabric and gear; no agency statement found.

Source and detail: EPA stamped label, EPA stamped master label

Two accepted 20 percent picaridin labels carry no-damage claims: EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, bracketed, "Won't Damage Fishing Lines, Plastics, or other Synthetic Materials"; EPA Reg. No. 54287-22, "Will [Does] not harm gear and equipment" and "Will [Does] not harm plastics and fabric."

[Won't Damage Fishing Lines, Plastics, or other Synthetic Materials]

EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018

18. Will [Does] not harm gear and equipment

EPA stamped label, Associated Registrations Inc. 20% picaridin repellent, EPA Reg. No. 54287-22, July 17, 2019

19. Will [Does] not harm plastics and fabric

EPA stamped label, Associated Registrations Inc. 20% picaridin repellent, EPA Reg. No. 54287-22, July 17, 2019

Picaridin ……………………………………………………………………….……20.00%

EPA stamped master label, Ranger Ready Repellents Tick + Insect Spray, EPA Reg. No. 93221-1, issued January 9, 2018
2-Undecanone

The label carries no plastics or materials warning; no agency statement found.

Source and detail: U.S. EPA accepted label

The accepted label for Bio-UD-8 Spray (EPA Reg. No. 82669-2) that we read carries no plastics or materials warning. Its one line on gear is an optional claim that the product can be applied on skin and clothing, and no agency page we read says whether 2-undecanone damages plastics.

Optional Label Claims: - Can be applied on skin & clothing

U.S. EPA accepted label, Bio-UD-8 Spray, EPA Reg. No. 82669-2, January 8, 2009

What do the agencies say about pets?

Picaridin

Only EPA's general rule applies: nothing on pets unless the label says so.

Source and detail: EPA

No agency or label we read covers picaridin use on pets. EPA tells consumers not to use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals.

Do not use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals.

EPA, Using Insect Repellents Safely and Effectively
2-Undecanone

Only EPA's general rule applies: nothing on pets unless the label says so.

Source and detail: U.S. EPA

EPA's rule for every skin repellent applies: no product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals. We found nothing about animals on the skin label for EPA Reg. No. 82669-2; EPA's separate 1995 reregistration of methyl nonyl ketone as a dog and cat repellent requires the label line that persons and pets must not enter a treated area until sprays have dried.

Do not use any product on pets or other animals unless the label clearly states it is for animals.

U.S. EPA, Using Insect Repellents Safely and Effectively

"Do not allow persons or pets to enter the treated area until sprays have dried."

U.S. EPA, R.E.D. FACTS Methyl Nonyl Ketone, EPA-738-F-95-033, July 1995

Methyl nonyl ketone is a dog and cat repellent/training aid and iris borer deterrent. The pesticide is used in households, paths, patios, solid waste containers and on ornamental plants.

U.S. EPA, R.E.D. FACTS Methyl Nonyl Ketone, EPA-738-F-95-033, July 1995

Which studies are on the record?

Picaridin

One trial found 20% picaridin and 20% DEET performed equally, with 97.4% protection over five hours.

Source and detail: Carroll JF, Van Roey K

Van Roey 2014 (PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases) reported an overall five-hour protection rate of 97.4 percent, with picaridin 20 percent performing equally well as DEET 20 percent. Carroll 2010 (Journal of Medical Entomology) found no difference in effectiveness between the 20 percent spray and lotion formulations of picaridin, and concluded that deet, picaridin and IR3535 provided lasting protection against lone star ticks as tested.

Based on a total of 4996 mosquitoes collected on negative control persons, the overall five hour protection rate was 97.4% [95%CI: 97.1-97.8%], not decreasing over time. Picaridin 20% performed equally well as DEET 20% and better than picaridin 10%.

Van Roey K, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014 Dec 18;8(12):e3326. PMID 25522134

There was no difference in effectiveness between the 20% spray and 20% lotion formulations of picaridin. The 10% IR3535 lotion was significantly less effective than the formulations with higher concentrations of repellent. In the formulations tested, deet, picaridin, and IR3535 provided lasting protection against A. americanum.

Carroll JF, et al. J Med Entomol. 2010 Jul;47(4):699-704. PMID 20695288
2-Undecanone

One 2008 trial reported repellency against American dog ticks for at least 2.5 hours on skin.

Source and detail: Witting-Bissinger BE

Witting-Bissinger et al., Journal of Medical Entomology 2008, reported no difference in mean repellency over 6 hours between 7.75 percent 2-undecanone and 7 or 15 percent DEET against Aedes albopictus; against Aedes aegypti no difference was found against 7 percent DEET and mean repellency was lower than 15 percent DEET over the same period. The same paper reported repellency against American dog ticks for at least 2.5 hours on skin.

No differences were found in mean repellency over 6 h after application between BioUD versus 7 and 15% deet for Ae albopictus. For Ae. aegypti, no differences were found over the same time period for 7% deet. Compared with 15% deet, BioUD mean repellency was lower over the 6-h test period.

Witting-Bissinger BE, Stumpf CF, Donohue KV, Apperson CS, Roe RM. Novel arthropod repellent, BioUD, is an efficacious alternative to deet. J Med Entomol. 2008 Sep;45(5):891-8. PMID 18826032

Laboratory trials were conducted to determine the repellent activity of BioUD against the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), on human skin and cloth. BioUD repelled ticks at least 2.5 h after application to human skin.

Witting-Bissinger BE, Stumpf CF, Donohue KV, Apperson CS, Roe RM. Novel arthropod repellent, BioUD, is an efficacious alternative to deet. J Med Entomol. 2008 Sep;45(5):891-8. PMID 18826032

In 2007, a new repellent, BioUD, with the active ingredient 7.75% 2-undecanone, originally derived from wild tomato (Lycopersicon hirsutum Dunal f. glabratum C. H. Müll) plants, was registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Witting-Bissinger BE, Stumpf CF, Donohue KV, Apperson CS, Roe RM. Novel arthropod repellent, BioUD, is an efficacious alternative to deet. J Med Entomol. 2008 Sep;45(5):891-8. PMID 18826032

Sources on this page.

24 sources. Every quote was fetched on or before 2026-09-22 and is stored with the page. Last reviewed 2026-09-22. All ten actives.

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  15. U.S. EPA, Skin-Applied Repellent Ingredients, last updated January 23, 2026. https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/skin-applied-repellent-ingredients
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