Bite Blocker Organic Xtreme Insect Spray

Bottom line

Bite Blocker Organic Xtreme is one of the few natural products on the market that is safe for pregnant women and kids under 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.

Performance

Especially effective against mosquitoes - but you must reapply. Bite Blocker Organic Xtreme Insect Spray is a natural insect repellent containing soybean and other plant oils, which are safe for use on children and babies, as the active ingredients. Tests and reviews indicate that Bite Blocker insect repellent is effective, but it can't compete in effectiveness with formulas containing lemon eucalyptus oil (which can't be used on babies or toddlers) or DEET (which many parents are reluctant to put on their kids though it is considered safe).

For most people, Bite Blocker insect repellent effectively wards off mosquitoes and black flies, but it isn't as good on ticks. The manufacturer claims the product provides anti-mosquito and black fly protection for up to eight hours and more than two hours for ticks; it also advises reapplying every three and a half hours or more.

Feel and smell

Some are repelled by Bite Blocker's scent. Bite Blocker Organic Xtreme Insect Spray is a white, opaque liquid that consumers say is non-irritating, goes a long way and smoothly absorbs into the skin. Users say it isn't greasy, and the pump makes the spray easy to apply. Not everyone likes the odor of this insect repellent, however. Consumers use words like "herbaceous," "bitter," "clean" and "nauseating" to describe it. Bite Blocker gets many 1-star reviews on Amazon.com simply because of its odor. You can reapply as often as you need, and the product works on clothing as well.