Bye Mosquitoes & Ticks: The Natural, Non-DEET Repellent Consumer Reports Recommends

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Itchy bug bites are more than a discomfort. Mosquitoes and ticks can transmit diseases that no one wants to tangle with. When the most effective insect repellents often contain things like DEET that raise health and environmental concerns, you might find yourself weighing the risks of disease versus exposure to toxins. DEET bug repellent has been rated as safe by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but for those of us who'd prefer to steer clear of this controversial substance, a new product has just earned Consumer Reports' seal of approval. Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent has racked up a score of 90% in Consumer Reports lab tests of top insect repellents, even outranking some DEET-based products. Repel's plant based formula placed it in the top four out of almost 60 repellents tested by Consumer Reports. What's more, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Spray was the highest-rated non-DEET insect repellent among those tested.

If you're immediately distrustful of insect repellents that depend on plant-based oils over DEET, this spray might be the one to convince you that it's possible to repel bugs naturally. If Consumer Report's sterling reputation weren't enough, Amazon consumer reviews of Repel Lemon and Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Spray are overwhelmingly positive, as well, leaving it with a 4.5 star average rating on the site.

DEET may still be people's number one choice for deterring bug bites, but when it comes to long-lasting performance, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent is neck-and-neck with DEET. At up to 6 hours of repellent power, Repel's plant-based formula lasts as long as a spray-down with 15% DEET.

Not only does this spray deter bugs without the DEET, its pleasant scent is another selling point. No matter how campground-nostalgic the scent of DEET-based sprays might be, it's easy to imagine lemon and eucalyptus being an improvement over that familiar chemical pong. A few Amazon reviewers complained that the scent was too strong or even irritating to their lungs, while others shared that it's a strong yet pleasant smell. One Amazon reviewer even shared that applying Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent on kitchen counters was an effective and non-toxic hack for repelling ants.

DEET might still be people's top choice for keeping bug bites at bay, but the powerful stuff has been known to damage materials like plastic, synthetic fabrics, leather, and painted or varnished surfaces, something that's a major concern when applying over clothing and outerwear. The DEET-based products that earned the three highest spots on Consumer Reports' reviews and ratings list also racked up poor scores (2/5 and 3/5) for damaging surfaces they came into contact with. In contrast, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Spray didn't damage surfaces, earning a score of 5 out of 5.