Your Buying Guide to Insect and Pest Repellents

Protecting yourself from insects like mosquitoes is important as they can be carriers of diseases like dengue and Japanese Encephalitis.  And when you are in an environment like tropical areas, you need to safeguard yourself and make sure that you are healthy.

In this buying guide, we would discuss the different types of insect and pest repellants, what other buyers are saying, what to look out for and some of the most popular brands.

Types of Insect and Pest Repellents

DEET

DEET is a reliable and highly effective insect repellent. The chemical has been in public use since 1957.

The repellent is sold under numerous brand names and comes in lotion, spray and many other forms.

Concentrations of DEET range from about 5% all the way up to 100%. Products with 10% to 35% DEET will provide adequate protection under most circumstances. Products with concentrations higher than about 50% do not offer significantly greater protection. For example, 50% DEET provides about 4 hours of protection against mosquitoes, but increasing the concentration to 100% gives only about one extra hour of protection.

DEET should be used with proper precautions, especially in children, who can experience irritation or other reactions after swallowing or prolonged skin application. However, if DEET products in moderate concentrations are used according to directions, they are considered safe. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that repellents used on children contain no more than 30% DEET. MSDH generally recommends using repellents with up to 10% DEET on children.

IR-3535

IR-3535 is used as an insect repellent against mosquitoes, deer ticks, and biting flies. Long used in Europe, it can be expected to provide long-lasting protection for those seeking a non-DEET product.

Picaridin

Picaridin, also known as KBR 3023, is an effective alternative to DEET products which provides long-lasting protection against mosquito bites, comparable to about a 10% concentration of DEET. This repellent has been used worldwide since 1998. Compared to DEET, Picaridin is nearly odorless, does not cause skin irritation, and has no adverse effect on plastics.

What Other Buyers Are Saying

When buying an insect and pest repellent, make sure to read the reviews of customers who have bought the product as this would help you get a feel of how it would keep you safe from mosquitos and other pests.  Also, read the ingredients before buying as this would help protect you from harmful chemicals or allergens.

Here are some feedback that one of the insect and pest repellents have received so far:

Currently holidaying in St Lucia in 30 degree heat and high humidity. No mosquito bites and it doesn't smell to bad, so not being avoided by other hotel guests...

Just returned from Portugal when abroad I am usually eaten alive with mosquitoes not this trip NOT ONE BITE Hooray delivery prompt would use this supplier again one happy lady

Works in UK but definitely not in the jungle. Took to Guyana and it didn't work at all. Local repellent for less than a quid did the trick out there!

Great product, didn't get bitten once whilst on holiday! WARNING: This will make your floor slippery if tiled, I suggest you spray your ankles etc out of the way to avoid slipping over!

Fantastic! It stopped us from being bitten, and you can't ask for more than that! I think this is better than the equivalent spray because it doesn't fill the air and the floor around you with repellent (it's not nice to inhale the spray and both the spray and the roll-on are oily - the spray makes the floor slippery). The roll on is easier to contain, and doesn't get up your nose!

Most Popular Brands

Jungle Formula - manufactures insect repellents that offer up to 9 hours of protection.  It is ideal to use during long travels, malaria risk areas and for those who want extra protection.

Incognito - this insect repellent is a shampoo and shower gel that offers a foundation layer on your skin that protects you from biting insects since it contains rare Organic Java citronella, bergamot and tea tree oil.

Xpel - manufactures insect and pest repellent bracelets that can give you up to 120 hours of protection.