Insect Repellent: Reviews

Updated June 2011

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Best natural insect repellent

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent

*Est. $8 for 4 oz. Compare Prices

If you prefer a non-chemical bug repellent, reviewers say Repel Lemon Eucalyptus is a good choice. In most tests, it's effective against mosquitoes and ticks for six to seven hours. However, it's not equally effective for… expandeveryone, and it's supposed to be applied only twice a day. Most reviewers -- but not all -- like this product's scent and feel. One thing to note: Mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus are not recommended for kids under 3 years of age. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org editors test Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent among 10 bug repellents, including products containing DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil and IR3535.

Journal of Medical Entomology: Twelve mosquito repellers, including Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent, are tested in this study.

Slate.com: Andria Lisle and friends compare nine mosquito repellents.

Backpacker Magazine: Writer Berne Broudy presents the results after testing 15 mosquito repellents on 200 mosquitoes held inside a tank.

Amazon.com: More than 65 users have written reviews about Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent, giving it a high average rating of 4.0 stars out of 5.

Drugstore.com: Drugstore.com publishes user ratings and reviews of bug repellents.

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for $9.93

Safest bug repeller for kids

BiteBlocker Organic Xtreme Insect Spray

*Est. $9 for 6.7 oz. Compare Prices

Considered safe for children of all ages and for pregnant women, BiteBlocker Organic Xtreme uses only plant-based ingredients, like soybean and geranium oils (formulas that use oil of lemon eucalyptus are also botanically… expandderived, but aren't safe for kids younger than age 3). As with most natural insect repellents, protection time varies greatly among individuals -- anywhere from just 90 minutes up to eight hours, and you're supposed to reapply every three hours (you can safely reapply as often as needed). BiteBlocker insect repellent receives mixed reviews about its scent -- some find its strong odor unpleasant. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org editors compare the effectiveness of BiteBlocker Organic Xtreme Insect Spray and nine other insect repellents.

Drugstore.com: Drugstore.com allows users to write reviews of products they have bought.

Amazon.com: About a dozen users have posted reviews for BiteBlocker Organic Xtreme Insect Spray at Amazon.com.

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for $16.93

Best DEET repellent spray

Off! FamilyCare Insect Repellent I Smooth & Dry

*Est. $6 for 4 oz. Compare Prices

For a full day or evening spent outdoors, experts say Off! FamilyCare Smooth & Dry can provide the protection you need with a lower concentration of DEET. This aerosol spray contains 15 percent DEET, which proved to be… expandeffective for seven hours in tests. OFF! insect repellent reviews say this formulation doesn't feel greasy on the skin, and some prefer its "fruity" scent to other DEET-based insect repellents. Additionally, this repellent dries quickly, which makes it easier to apply. As with any insect repellent containing DEET, you can damage fabrics, painted surfaces, sunglasses, watches and other objects made of synthetic materials that come in contact with your skin after applying it. Although the EPA deems DEET safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics says to refrain from using it on babies until they are 2 months of age. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org editors test Off! FamilyCare Insect Repellent I Smooth & Dry along with nine other insect repellents, including products containing DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil and IR3535.

Journal of Medical Entomology: The Journal of Medical Entomology compares four synthetic mosquito repellents and eight natural repellents in a laboratory against three species of mosquitoes.

About.com: Faith Lawless, About.com's Makeup Guide gives OFF! FamilyCare Insect Repellent I Smooth & Dry a perfect rating based on personal use in her garden.

Viewpoints.com: OFF! FamilyCare Insect Repellent I Smooth & Dry both receives an overall rating of 4.1 stars out of 5 from approximately 15 users.

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for $4.15

Long-lasting mosquito repellent

3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 12 Lotion

*Est. $9 for 2 oz. Compare Prices

Experts recommend 3M Ultrathon with 34 percent DEET in densely wooded or wet areas, especially where there's a greater risk for insect-borne illness. Reviews say 3M Ultrathon is particularly effective for eight hours or… expandlonger, because the DEET is encapsulated in a polymer and releases slowly. Additionally, this bug repellent lotion contains no alcohol, which means less absorption of the DEET into the skin (and no chance of a skin reaction by people who are sensitive to alcohol). As with any DEET product, it can cause damage to synthetic materials, and the American Academy of Pediatrics doesn't recommend using mosquito repellers containing more than 30 percent DEET on children. Ultrathon is also available in an aerosol with 25 percent DEET and in a pump spray with 19 percent DEET. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Backpacker Magazine: Although this 2007 review is older, many of the products are still available.

Canada Communicable Disease Report (CCDR): An older study published in the Canada Communicable Disease Report makes recommendations for preventing and treating malaria.

Which.co.uk: Which? magazine in the U.K. performs consumer products testing similar to ConsumerReports.org in the U.S. Editors recommend 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 12 Lotion among three repellents after conducting laboratory testing on 19 products.

ConsumerReports.org: This recent review by editors at ConsumerReports.org includes 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent in its comparison of 10 bug repellents.

Amazon.com: 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 12 Lotion receives a high average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5 from more than 30 users at Amazon.com, plus another listing with similar results.

REI.com: 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 12 Lotion is one of the bug repellents sold by this outdoor retailer.

Drugstore.com: Drugstore.com publishes user ratings and reviews of bug repellers.

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