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Consumer Reports' laboratory tests have revealed that products claiming to be more natural do not generally do as well. However, products containing a particular ingredient have been shown to be "always more effective".
To eliminate ticks and mosquitoes, use lotions, wipes and sprays. But levels of protection may vary depending on the ingredients and methods of application to control biting insects.
"This year, we have tried testing many products containing more so-called so-called natural active ingredients," said Catherine Roberts, editor of Consumer Reports for Health Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports' laboratory tests revealed that "products that claim to be more natural do not generally perform as well," Roberts said. "DEET products are consistently the most effective."
Natural insect repellants good enough to be recommended by Consumer Reports contain 20% picaridin and 30% lemon eucalyptus oil. However, with picaridine, lotion versions and wipe versions did not behave as well as sprays.
"Products containing 25% to 30% of DEET are really the best performers," Roberts said.
Products with the highest scores on Consumer Reports' new list of recommended mosquito repellents last at least 6.5 hours. The lowest rated products were effective for two hours or less.
Among the 15 products recommended by Consumer Reports, the active ingredient is lemon oil, eucalyptus; two have picaridine; and 12 include DEET.
The top five products are:
- Total Home (CVS) Woodland Insect Repellent (30% DEET)
- Vlll Dry insect repellent (25% DEET)
- Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent2 Without DEET (30% Lemon Eucalyptus Oil)
- 30% DEET against ticks and insects from Ben's (30% DEET)
- Coleman Insect Repellent High & Dry 25% from DEET
Some consumers are concerned about the use of products containing DEET, but Roberts said that concentrations greater than 30% were not needed.
"It has been shown to be safe," Roberts said, adding that DEET could damage synthetic fabrics.
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