Consumer Reports tested the following repellents for effectiveness against mosquitoes and ticks:
* DEET – Most effective as a repellent at 30% concentration. At the highest concentration, it will repel bugs for 7.5 to 8.5 hours.
(OFF, Cutter, Sawyer, Ultrathon)
* PICARIDIN – Developed in Europe in 1998 and tested by the Australian Army, this chemical is considered very effective in 20% concentrations, offering 8 to 8.5 hours of protection.
Most effective Sawyer at 30% concentration and Natrapel 8, at 20% concentration for up to 8 hours protection from mosquitoes and ticks. At 5% solution, Off Family Care offered an hour or less for mosquitoes and 5 hours for ticks. A 10% solution in Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard, offers 3 hours protection against Zika mosquitoes and 7-8 hours of protection against ticks and other mosquitoes.
* Lemon Eucalyptus – Active ingredient occurs naturally in the lemon eucalyptus plant. A synthetic version named PMD. The EPA warns consumers away from products marketing a pure oil of lemon eucalyptus because it has not been tested for safety.
Found in the Repel, at a concentration of 30%, it protects against ticks and mosquitoes for 7 to 8 hours.
* IR3535, Based on an amino acid, this repellent is not as effective on the Zika-carrying mosquito, according to Consumer Reports. However, a 20% concentration will offer 3 hours repellent for the Aedes mosquito and up to 6 hours for ticks.
* Herbal and oil compounds. Burt's Bees, All Terrain, California Baby, EcoSmart all offered similar rates of protection from a half hour on mosquitoes to an hour and a half on ticks.
