Consumer watchdog Which? has cautioned holidaymakers against purchasing expensive, trendy mosquito repellents, with some products failing to protect against bites for more than three minutes. In a comprehensive test of 12 products, two marketed as environmentally friendly alternatives to harsh chemicals proved ineffective, leaving volunteers exposed almost immediately.
Top-Performing Products
Asda's own-brand Extra Strength Insect Repellent spray, costing £4 for a 125ml bottle, provided total protection for an impressive nine and a half hours, according to Which?. The watchdog noted that several other top-performing products also kept volunteers entirely bite-free for the full 9.5-hour test, but none matched the Asda product's affordability.
Products containing DEET, including Jungle Formula Maximum Aerosol Insect Repellent (£7.20), Boots Repel Maximum DEET & PMD Aerosol (£9.10), Pyramid Trek 50 (£9.50), and Lifesystems Expedition Max DEET Mosquito Repellent (£9.00), were all highly effective. However, testers found application not always smooth and some odours unpleasant. DEET can also melt plastics and synthetic fabrics and may irritate sensitive skin.
Ineffective Alternatives
Despite bold packaging claims of up to 300 hours of protection per band, volunteers wearing Pestects Mosquito Repellent Bracelets, costing £19.99 for 12 bands, were bitten in under three minutes. Similarly, Meadows Organic Citronella Spray (£6 for 100ml), containing unrefined natural oils like citronella, lemongrass, and peppermint, offered very little defence, leaving subjects exposed and bitten almost instantly.
Which? reported that testing involved volunteers inserting their arms into a cage full of mosquitoes to measure exposure time before being bitten.
Effective Non-DEET Options
Which? found that products do not need to be harsh to be effective. Autan Insect Repellent (£5.65), containing 20% Picaridin, kept mosquitoes at bay for nine and a half hours. Incognito Insect Repellent Pump-Spray (£13.99), using plant-derived PMD, protected volunteers for nine hours and is safe for babies from six months old.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said: “Whether you’re heading abroad or just enjoying your own garden this summer, avoiding nature’s most blood-thirsty critters shouldn’t break the bank. Our tests reveal that some pricy, fashionable repellents can be a complete waste of money, offering less than three minutes of protection. Crucially, you don’t need to pay a premium to stay safe – a £4 supermarket spray beats the flashy brands to deliver hours of reliable protection.”
