Which insect repellent works best?

Consumer Reports enlists real mosquitoes and real people to test repellents

A bug bite can leave more than just an itchy bump. Mosquitoes can spread diseases like the West Nile virus, and ticks can transmit many diseases, including Lyme and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Consumer Reports explains that the best offense is a good defense, which includes using insect repellent that keeps pests away.

Every year, Consumer Reports tests lotions, sprays, and wipes, including plant-based repellents, on real people using real mosquitoes to find the best insect repellents.

A repellent fails if a mosquito bites twice in one five-minute session. Or if there’s one bite in each of two consecutive five-minute sessions.

Consumer Reports currently tests repellents against only mosquitoes, but in past years, it has found that repellents that work well against mosquitoes also tend to work well against ticks.

The results: the most effective repellents against mosquitoes and ticks contain 25% to 30% DEET as their active ingredient.

At the top of Consumer Reports ratings, Ben's Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes, Ben's Tick & Insect Repellent Wilderness Formula Pump, and 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent8. All excel in protection.

If you’re concerned about using DEET, consider this…Consumer Reports ratings include over 50 repellents and more than 20 recommended ones, so it should be easy to find a way to beat the bugs that’s right for you.”

A bug bite can leave more than just an itchy bump. Mosquitoes can spread diseases like the West Nile virus, and ticks can transmit many diseases, including Lyme and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Consumer Reports explains that the best offense is a good defense, which includes using insect repellent that keeps pests away.

Every year, Consumer Reports tests lotions, sprays, and wipes, including plant-based repellents, on real people using real mosquitoes to find the best insect repellents.

A repellent fails if a mosquito bites twice in one five-minute session. Or if there’s one bite in each of two consecutive five-minute sessions.

Consumer Reports currently tests repellents against only mosquitoes, but in past years, it has found that repellents that work well against mosquitoes also tend to work well against ticks.

The results: the most effective repellents against mosquitoes and ticks contain 25% to 30% DEET as their active ingredient.

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消费者报告》媒体提及
消费者报告

消费者报告》致力于为所有人创造一个公平公正的市场。作为一家以使命为导向的独立非营利性会员组织,《消费者报告》为消费者赋权并提供信息,激励企业以负责任的方式行事,并帮助政策制定者优先考虑消费者的权益,以塑造一个真正以消费者为导向的市场。

媒体报道

Clothing and gear can be treated with a 0.5% permethrin spray, sold under names including Sawyer, Insect Shield and Ranger Ready.

Bay Area News Group
News Group

媒体报道

Sawyer’s picaridin lotion offers the longest protection windows on test — up to 14 hours against mosquitoes and ticks — and its creamy, low-odor formula goes on smooth and dries quickly.

Rachel Cavanaugh
作家

媒体报道

The Sawyer Squeeze and Cnoc Vecto made hydration easy.

Josh King
特约撰稿人