Frequently Asked Questions

What is RID?
RID is a Medicated First Aid personal insect repellent. It is applied to exposed skin, or clothing, to repel mosquitoes, sandflies (midges) flies, fleas, ticks, headlice, grass itch mites, leeches, and other insect pests.

What does "Medicated First Aid" mean?

RID is the only insect repellent that contains Triclosan, an antimicrobial agent which helps prevent infections caused by insect bites by acting on the germs left behind. Also, the combination of the other ingredients including anti-inflammatory agents Chamomile and Vitamin E will relieve stinging, itching and swelling caused by insect bites, nettles, and prickles. This means that if an insect does bite, RID soothes the itching and swelling, reducing the temptation to scratch the bite. If the itch is scratched, and the skin is broken, RID kills the bacteria in the wound, preventing infection.

What pack sizes is RID available in?

RID Insect Repellent Cream is available in a 50mL Roll-on bottle, a 125mL Squeeze bottle, and a 375mL Squeeze bottle. RID Insect Repellent Aerosol Spray is available in a 75g and a 100g aerosol can. RID Insect Repellent Pump Spray is available in a 125mL finger Pump Spray bottle. RID Insect Repellent PLUS 30 Sunblock Cream is available in a 60mL Roll on bottle, 75mL Tube, and 100mL Bottle.

What are the chemicals in RID, and what do they do?

RID cream and RID spray contains :

N,N-Diethyl-M-Toluamide (DEET), a mosquito repellent. Di-n-propyl isocinchomeronate, a fly repellent. N-octyl bicycloheptene dicarboximide, an insecticide synergist, which multiplies the effectiveness of the formulation by blocking the insects ability to metabolise the other insecticides. Triclosan, an antimicrobial agent, which kills a broad range of bacteria. Perfumes are added to mask the odor of the insecticides. These give RID its characteristic fragrance.

Does the aerosol spray contain CFC's?

RID aerosol spray is propelled by hydrocarbon gas, not CFC's.

How does the repellent work?

The insecticides slowly evaporate into the air, producing an invisible chemical barrier around the areas on the body where it is applied, repelling incoming insects.

Will RID protect me from Malaria, Ross River Virus, and Dengue Fever?
The Australian Health Departments and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia recommend that people use personal insect repellents containing DEET (N,N DiethylM-Toluamide) to protect themselves from catching diseases, such as Malaria, Ross River virus, and Dengue Fever which are carried by mosquitoes. Because RID contains DEET, it will protect you from disease carrying insects.

How much RID should I use?

To repel insect pests, an effective application of RID on the exposed skin of an adult wearing shoes, shirt and shorts would be about 4mL (1 & 1/3 of a teaspoonful) of cream, or 4g (8 seconds) of aerosol spray, or 4mL (24 pumps) of pump spray. This would repel insects for about 4 hours. A thicker application will repel insects for a longer time.

Is it safe to use RID while pregnant?

Studies have shown that there are no toxic effects of the active ingredients for the mother and unborn child when used is small doses. If a pregnant woman is travelling to an area where there is Malaria, Ross River virus or Dengue fever, they should be extra careful as these diseases can be very severe. They should wear full length trousers and a long sleeved top (material must be thick enough to prevent a mosquito from biting through it) and apply repellent to hands, neck and feet if exposed. Repellent should be washed off at night and they should sleep with a mosquito net.

What do you mean by: "DEET is a plasticiser"?

RID contains DEET which is the best mosquito repellent in the world. However, DEET will soften many plastics. That is why the following caution is printed on the back of the bottle or can of RID. "Avoid situations where leaks or spills of this product could contact and damage spectacle frames,contact lenses, soft plastics, PVC, vinyl, leather, some clothing dyes, timber fittings, painted and polished surfaces." The DEET in RID softens these materials, and the damage cannot be repaired.

What about my skin; could the DEET in RID damage my skin?

Insect repellents containing DEET have been used for over 30 years by many people, approximately 8 billion applications a year, with only occasional reports of skin irritations and allergic reactions by people with sensitive skin.

I have sensitive skin. Can I use RID?

RID should be treated like other medications when it is first used. A small amount should be applied to the skin to test for irritation or allergic reaction. Application should be discontinued if irritation or allergic reaction occurs. Medical advice should be sought if irritation or allergic reaction persists. RID should not be applied to broken skin, near eyes, on lips, or on mucus membranes.

What if my child accidently swallows some RID cream?

DEET is the most toxic chemical in RID. Based on studies of DEET with rats which have been scaled up to humans; if a 15kg child swallowed a 10mL desert spoonful of cream, they would receive 5% of a fatal dose of DEET. Similarly if a 75kg adult swallowed a 10mL desert spoonful of cream, they would receive 1% of a fatal dose of DEET. FIRST AID if RID is swallowed : DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Give water or milk to drink. If poisoning occurs contact a Doctor or Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 131 126) immediately.

Can I use RID on my animals?

Horse owners use RID Aerosol spray to protect their animals from mosquito and fly bites. Other people put RID cream on the ears of their cats and dogs, to prevent tick bites and to help heal infection caused by multiple tick and mosquito bites. Other people apply a monthly treatment of RID cream to their pets for flea control.

What if my pet swallows some RID?

Give your pet water to drink and contact your veterinarian or Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 131 126).

What do other people say about RID ?

RID has been used since 1956. It was Australia's first and still is, the only Medicated and First Aid insect repellent. Since then, customer satisfaction has been substantiated by many unsolicited letters of appreciation and when asked what brand they trust the best, most Australians say "RID-because it WORKS!".