Insect repellents Insect repellents compared
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This article, Insect repellents, was last updated on 07 May 2009 and is now out of date and held in our online archive for reference. Explore our latest Home & garden articles.
All insect repellents we tested
Five and four star repellents are suitable for use where the malaria risk is considered to be high.
In areas where there is a low risk – or no risk – of malaria or other insect-borne diseases, such as in Singapore or Australia, then you might prefer a gentler three-star, DEET-free insect repellent as these don't have the same strong smell associated with DEET.
However, these repellents will have to be reapplied more regularly than a four or five-star insect repellent.
Two and one-star products offer some protection, but should not be used where there is a risk of insect-borne disease.
We included Avon's Skin So Soft body lotion in our test because of internet rumours that it worked as an insect repellent. Avon makes no such claims for this product - and we found it didn't deter mosquitoes.
| Insect repellents on test | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer/Product | Pricec | Quantity | DEET Based? | Longevitya | Protection |
| Boots Repel Extra Strength | £5.37 | 120 ml | Yes | 6 hours |  |
| Jungle Formula Extra Strength | £6.84 | 125 ml | Yes | 6 hours | |
| Lifesystems Expedition Plus | £8.99 | 100 ml | Yes | 6 hours | |
| Ultrathon Insect Repellent | £9.99 | 56.7 ml | Yes | 7 hours | |
| Superdrug Buzz Off | £4.30 | 100 ml | Yes | 5 hours |  |
| Jungle Formula Family | £6.99 | 175 ml | No | 4½ hours |  |
| Superdrug Buzz Off Kids | £3.42 | 100 ml | No | 3 hours | |
| Boots Repel | £5.37 | 120 ml | No | 4½ hours | |
| Boots Repel Kids | £5.37 | 120 ml | No | 3½ hours | |
| Autan Protection Plus | £5.86 | 100 ml | No | 4 hours | |
| Mosi-guard | £5.57 | 100 ml | No | 3 hours | |
| Eco Guard | £7.99 | 120 ml | No | 4½ hours | |
| Lifesystems Natural plus | £5.99 | 100 ml | No | 4 hours | |
| Design Go Bug Guards | £6.99 | 4 bands | Yes | 82 % protectionb | |
| PreVent Repellent & Room Spray | £4.50 | 30 ml | No | 2 hours |  |
| Mosiband Natural Wrist/Ankle Band | £3.67 | 2 bands | No | 68 % protectionb | |
| Avon Skin So Soft | £3.99 | 150 ml | No | 1 hours |  |
| MozzyOff | £9.99 | 100 ml | No | 1½ hours | |
| OmeZone | £4.99 | 5 patches | No | 0% protectionb | Don't Buy |
Table notes
- The length of time required between applications of the insect repellent under test conditions. More regular reapplication of the insect repellent may be required, depending on the activity being carried out
- For those insect repellents where no application is required (eg wrist bands), the level of protection the insect repellent offered has been determined based on how many mosquitoes landed on the tester, and is expressed as a percentage where 100% would be total protection and 0% is no protection.
- Prices correct at 23 April, 2009
The insect repellents are rated according to the level of protection they will offer you. The longevity is a guide only, and will be affected by your activities and conditions. Five-star insect repellents offer maximum protection for where malaria is endemic, with a longevity of more than six hours.
Four-star insect repellents offer very high level of protection for use in high risk areas, and should last four-and-a-half to six hours before reapplication is needed.
Three-star insect repellents offer good protection where there is a low malaria risk. These insect repellents lasts three to four-and-a-half hours.
Two-star insect repellents should not be used to protect from insect-borne infectious diseases. They last between two and three hours.
One-star insect repellents offer minimal protection. These insect repellents last less than two hours.