9 Across

NYT Daily • August 29, 2025

Bug spray ingredient

Answer:

DEET

Hint:

Not available

Explanation:

The clue "Bug spray ingredient" points to DEET, the common shorthand for N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, a chemical widely used in insect repellents. It’s a straightforward definition with no wordplay—just a direct reference to what you’d find on the back of a can of mosquito spray. If you’ve ever shopped for outdoor gear or dealt with summer pests, DEET is the go-to name for keeping bugs away.

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Bit of a how-to