UFC-Que Choisir carried out a large-scale study on 37 mosquito repellent references and determined which one should not buy.
As soon as the sunny days return, it’s the same thing: mosquitoes make a comeback! One of the most dangerous of them? The tiger mosquito. Indeed, this insect is harmful and can transmit certain diseases. This is why it is necessary to find solutions to prevent it from biting us. With summer approaching, many of us are investing in mosquito repellents, however, they are not all created equal. Some are even particularly ineffective! After analyzing 37 references, UFC-Que Choisir determined which one is the worst of all.
37 mosquito repellents tested by UFC-Que Choisir
As UFC-Que Choisir indicates on its site, the consumer association tested 37 mosquito repellents in the laboratory to see if they are effective against the tiger mosquito. There are many types, namely sprays, aerosols, sticks or roll-ons. Unfortunately, many of these repellents are ineffective.
To establish its ranking of mosquito repellents, UFC-Que Choisir studied several criteria, starting with that of effectiveness. “Four volunteers coated their forearms with 1 g of repellent (the hands were protected by gloves rigid enough so that the females could not bite) and inserted it into a cage containing 150 female mosquitoes that had been starving for 12 hours with 75 males to ensure fertilization”, indicates the consumer association. The experts then counted the number of mosquitoes that landed on the participants’ forearms or began biting them.
Experts also studied the toxicity of active substances present in repellents, which can be potentially dangerous in younger people. Finally, they studied the labeling of each product.
What is the worst mosquito repellent?
After analyzing 37 mosquito repellent references, UFC-Que Choisir elected the worst of them. This is the Autan Défense kids repellent, rated 3.7/20 and sold at 6.95%. For only 100 ml of product, it’s not cheap, not to mention that it is not at all effective against the tiger mosquito and is average in terms of toxicity and labeling.
However, on its site, the brand prides itself on selling a product “no perfumes, no colorings and no added preservatives”and to be “the perfect protection against mosquitoes” for kids. She even says her product is effective for 4 hours, on common, tiger and tropical mosquitoes.
Which active substances are most effective against mosquitoes?
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the manufacturers of these repellents particularly use the following active substances:
- DEET
- IR3535
- icaridine
- citrioiol
- plant extracts, lemongrass or essential oils
“The most effective mosquito repellents are based on DEET at concentrations of 25%, 30% or even 50%. They are recommended in all areas where mosquitoes risk transmitting dengue, chikungunya or malaria”, indicates the association. It is better to avoid applying these products to younger children if you are in an area free of these diseases.
Other substances are more or less effective, but it all depends on the composition of the product. However, the UFC-Que Choisir specifies that only citriodiol and Java lemongrass essential oil are effective, but not other natural products based on other plants or only flavored with lemongrass. So don’t hesitate to look at the composition of each product before buying it!
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