Insect Repellent: Reviews

Updated June 2009

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Best insect repellent overall

*Est. $6 for 6 oz. Compare Prices

Experts are mixed on DEET-based insect repellents. Although effective, some dislike the distinctive smell and oily feel on the skin, and DEET can damage plastics and clothing. An alternative insect-repellent ingredient,… picaridin, has been shown to be as effective as lower-strength DEET. Reviewers say the 7 percent picaridin concentration in Cutter Advanced protects against ticks and mosquitoes for about 2.5 hours. Unlike DEET, Cutter Advanced doesn't damage plastics, isn't sticky on the skin and is odorless, but it can cause eye irritation. Cutter Advanced is considered safe for kids as young as two months and is available in a spray or wipes.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports tests 18 insect repellents, including Cutter Advanced. Repellents are tested with two species of mosquito that ...

eMedicine.com: Dermatology professor Mark Fradin summarizes information on insect repellents, including picaridin-based Cutter Advanced.

GreenerChoices.org: This review, based on 2006 tests and ratings at Consumer Reports, is free without a subscription. Three types of DEET-free insect ...

Slate.com: Andria Lisle and friends test nine mosquito repellents, including Cutter Advanced Spray. Testers say Cutter wasn't very effective ...

BackpackGearTest.org: Cutter Advanced gets a lengthy review by a hiker and his family. The product worked well and is safe for kids, but the reviewer ...

About.com: Ten insect repellents are discussed in this brief review, but only the top-rated Cutter Advanced is personally tested. (Note: ...

Drugstore.com: Drugstore.com publishes reviews of insect repellents that are submitted by users. Most reviews confirm that DEET-free insect ...

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DEET repellent for long periods or extreme conditions

3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 12 Lotion

*Est. $8.50 for 2 oz. Compare Prices

Ultrathon uses a special kind of DEET that isn't as easily absorbed into the skin, yet it is as effective as standard DEET formulas (both types can ruin plastic and paint, however). If you need long protection, its 34… percent concentration of DEET is the optimum amount. This insect repellent has been tested in jungle areas and is used by the U.S. armed forces. 3M Ultrathon is water-resistant, protecting against ticks and flies as well as mosquitoes for five hours or longer. Experts recommend not using any DEET repellent on babies, however.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports tests 18 insect repellents, including 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 12 Lotion. Repellents are tested with two ...

eMedicine.com: Dermatology professor Mark Fradin summarizes information on insect repellents, including 3M Ultrathon. Fradin recommends 5 ...

Journal of Medical Entomology: Field tests compare three DEET insect repellents, including 3M Ultrathon, for effectiveness against mosquito bites. Results vary ...

Drugstore.com: Drugstore.com publishes ratings and reviews of insect repellents that are submitted by users. There were very few reviews for ...

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Best natural mosquito repellent

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus

*Est. $7.50 for 4 oz. Compare Prices

If you prefer a non-chemical insect repellent, reviews say Repel Lemon Eucalyptus is effective against mosquitoes and ticks for four to six hours. It's not equally effective for everyone, however, and it's supposed to be… applied only twice a day. Unlike DEET, lemon eucalyptus oil doesn't damage plastics or synthetics, but it can stain leather. Most reviewers, but not all, like the scent and skin-feel. Mosquito repellents containing lemon eucalyptus oil are not recommended for kids under 3 years old, however.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports uses four volunteers to test 18 insect repellents, including Repel Lemon Eucalyptus. Effectiveness is measured ...

Journal of Medical Entomology: Twelve insect repellents, including Repel Lemon Eucalyptus, are tested in this study. Results show that some insect repellents ...

eMedicine.com: Dermatology professor Mark Fradin summarizes information on insect repellents, including eucalyptus-based Repel Lemon Eucalyptus.

GreenerChoices.org: This review, based on 2006 tests and ratings at Consumer Reports, is free without a subscription. Three types of DEET-free insect ...

The New England Journal of Medicine: Researchers enlist 15 volunteers to test 16 insect repellents of various formulas. The researchers' results suggest that ...

Slate.com: Andria Lisle and friends test nine mosquito repellents. Testing is informal, at backyard cookouts and on the bluffs of the ...

Drugstore.com: Drugstore.com publishes ratings and reviews of insect repellents that are submitted by users. Repel Lemon Eucalyptus spray gets ...

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Safest insect repellent for kids

Bite Blocker

*Est. $8.50 for 4.7 oz. Compare Prices

Considered safe for all ages and for pregnant women, Bite Blocker uses only food-grade plant-based ingredients, including soybean oil and geranium oil. It is effective against black flies as well as mosquitoes and ticks.… As with most natural insect repellents, protection time varies greatly among individuals, but it averages 90 minutes to two hours, and Bite Blocker is safe to reapply as needed.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Consumer Reports tests 18 insect repellents including Bite Blocker. Repellents are tested with two species of mosquito that are ...

Journal of Medical Entomology: Twelve insect repellents, including Bite Blocker, are tested on two people for this study. Some insect repellents protect for as ...

eMedicine.com: Dermatology professor Mark Fradin summarizes information on current insect repellents and notes that Bite Blocker is especially ...

GreenerChoices.org: This review, based on 2006 tests and ratings at Consumer Reports, is free without a subscription. Botanical repellents are ...

The New England Journal of Medicine: Researchers enlist 15 volunteers to test 16 insect repellents. Bite Blocker for Kids is the top-rated non-DEET product, but the ...

Slate.com: Andria Lisle and friends test nine mosquito repellents including Bite Blocker, which finishes in the middle. Testers say it ...

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OFF! Deep Woods *Est. $7.50 for 6 oz.

4 picks by top review sites.

Sawyer 20 percent controlled release *Est. $10,for 6 oz.

3 picks by top review sites.

Badger Anti-Bug Balm *Est. $8.50 for 2 oz.

3 picks by top review sites.

Burt's Bees Herbal *Est. $8 for 4 oz.

2 picks by top review sites.

OFF! FamilyCare IV *Est. $5.50 for 6 oz.

2 picks by top review sites.

Cutter Skinsations *Est. 6 for 6 oz.

2 picks by top review sites.

Repel 100 *Est. $6 for 1 oz.

2 picks by top review sites.


	DRA94903EA Deep Woods OFF!®, 6-oz. Aerosol Can from Amazon.com New: $8.49 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	CONTROL RELEASE 4OZ - - from Amazon.com New: $6.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Badger Balm Anti-Bug Balm from Amazon.com Average Customer Review:


	SC Johnson #55017 Off12CT Skin Towelette from Amazon.com New: $4.89 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Cutter Skinsations Fresh Pump - 6 Oz from Amazon.com New: $4.87 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Repel 1 oz. 100% DEET Insect Repellent (Pump) from Amazon.com Average Customer Review:

Insect Repellent: Reviews

Best insect repellent overall

DEET repellent for long periods or extreme conditions

Best natural mosquito repellent

Safest insect repellent for kids

Insect Repellent by Price Range