Overview
- Which? published controlled test results on Tuesday showing large differences in how long 12 repellents kept volunteers bite-free.
- Two products marketed as natural or fashionable failed almost immediately in testing, with Pestects bracelets allowing bites in under three minutes and Meadows Organic citronella spray giving almost no defence.
- A £4 Asda Extra Strength spray kept volunteers completely protected for nine-and-a-half hours and several DEET-based formulas matched that performance.
- Non-DEET actives also did well, with Picaridin and plant-derived PMD providing long-lasting protection in tests while essential-oil products performed poorly.
- Tests used volunteers placing their arms into a mosquito-filled cage to time first bites and Which? advised shoppers to check active ingredients rather than rely on branding or price.