HOUSTON – With all the recent rain in Houston, comes the mosquitoes!
Each bite can leave more than just an itchy bump. And I don’t know about you, but we’re already feeling itchy just talking about all this. Mosquitoes can spread diseases like West Nile Virus, which typically show up in the Summer.
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Ticks are also a concern, as they can transmit many diseases, including Lyme and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
As KPRC 2 reporter Zach Lashway explains, the best offense is a good defense, which includes using insect repellent that keeps pests away. Every year, Consumer Reports (CR) conducts tests on lotions, sprays, and wipes, including plant-based repellents, on real people using real mosquitoes to find the best insect repellents.
A repellent does not work if a mosquito bites twice in one 5-minute session. Or if there’s one bite in each of two consecutive 5-minute sessions.
MORE: Expert tips on how to prepare for mosquito season
CR currently tests repellents against only mosquitoes, but in past years, it has found that repellents that work well against mosquitoes also tend to work well against ticks.
The overall results:
The most effective repellents against mosquitoes and ticks contain 25 to 30 percent deet as their active ingredient.
At the top of CR’s ratings, Ben’s Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes, Ben’s Tick & Insect Repellent Wilderness Formula Pump, and 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent8. All excel in protection.
If you’re concerned about using deet, consider this…CR’s ratings include over 50 repellents and more than 20 recommended ones, so it should be easy to find a way to beat the bugs that’s right for you.”
CR also found products with 30 percent oil of lemon eucalyptus as good alternatives, like Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Pump. CR’s ratings also have a few high scorers that contain 20 percent picaridin, like the Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent Pump.
Correctly applying the repellent is just as important as the kind you use. Follow the directions on the label, and use a thin coat on all exposed skin. You can also spray it on top of your clothes but don’t apply it under your clothing.
