Consumer Reports rate best insect repellents against Ticks and Mosquitoes

Posted on May 26, 2010 with 8 Comments

Summer has arrived and everyone loves to enjoy the outdoors.  Mosquitoes and ticks are very active during the late spring so people have to be cautious not to get Lyme disease or the West Nile Virus.  Yesterday on WebMD an author published an article rating the top 6 insect repellents judged by Consumer Reports, focusing mainly against mosquito and tick bites. The top repellents included the following: Off Deep Woods Sportsmen, Cutter Backwoods Unscented, Off FamilyCare Smooth & Dry, 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent 8, Repel Plant Based Lemon Eucalyptus, Natrapel 8-House with picaridin.  5/6 of these products contain between 15 and 30% DEET, an active and very effective chemical in repelling insects.  Consumer Reports had volunteers spray on the repellents and put mosquitoes and deer ticks on the volunteers.  The repellents protected the volunteers for seven or more hours!  Consumer Reports also notes that people should not use DEET on babies and no higher than 30% when using both a sunscreen and insect repellent in one.  DEET is safe in proper amounts but when people apply sunscreen, they usually apply excessively so they do not get burnt.  Other ways to prevent insects from biting you include the following:

• Wear long sleeve, light clothing
• Do not be outside at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active
• Make sure there is not stagnant water built up
• Inspect your body to look for suspicious marks or spots on your body
• When using candles outside in a space, position them in the corners on the floor
• Water down the area before a gathering because bees do not like water or wet areas

By following these tips you will have a happy and healthy summer.  For more information or help with a tick, mosquito, or any other problem feel free to contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, facebook, or twitter.  We even offer a special VIP Program that protects your lawn specifically from ticks, mosquitoes, and rodents.  Read more about ticks and mosquitoes in our other blog posts! Tick Blog, Mosquito Blog. JPMcHale is one of the leading pest control companies in Westchester, New York, we would love to help you with your pest problems!

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