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N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, also called diethyltoluamide or DEET, is the oldest, one of the most effective and most common active ingredient in commercial insect repellents. It is a slightly yellow oil intended to be applied to the skin or to clothing and provides protection against mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas, chiggers, leeches, and many other biting insects. Unlike icaridin, DEET emits an odor that many find unpleasant, leaves skin greasy, dissolves plastics and synthetic fabrics and interacts negatively with sunscreen.