DEET, active ingredients key to keep pesky bugs away

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prevention is key to avoiding bug bites. So, Consumer Reports tested 37 different repellents to find out which work best.

Consumer Reports tested repellents that contain DEET or other active chemical ingredients, like Picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Years of testing show that, if one works on mosquitoes, it'll work on ticks, too. The key, testers say, is the concentration of the active ingredients.

"We found that concentrations of DEET at 25 to 30 percent are really the best to keep you protected," said Catherine Roberts.

Off Deep Woods Sportsmen Insect repellent IV Dry with 25 percent DEET performed excellent. So did Ben's, with 30 percent DEET. Consumer Reports named Ben's a "best buy."

If you prefer wipes, Consumer Reports recommends Repel Insect Repellent Mosquito Wipes with 30 percent DEET.

"A lot of folks are worried that DEET might not be safe, but really, there's a lot of evidence to show that, when you follow the directions on the label and you use it properly, DEET is very effective, and it's also safe," Roberts said.

If you prefer something that is DEET-free, Consumer Reports recommends Sawyer Premium with 20 percent Picaridin and Repel lemon eucalyptus insect repellent.

As for repellents that use natural ingredients, such as citronella, peppermint and soybean oil, they performed poorly in Consumer Reports' tests.