When selecting the best mosquito repellent, is DEET really safe?

With mosquito and tick-borne diseases on the rise nationwide, the best way to protect yourself is with a good insect repellent.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, DEET with concentrations of 30 percent or less is safe for children and pregnant woman when used as directed. People opting for natural options should know that Consumer Reports' tests show that most natural products, with the exception of Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, don't perform well against mosquitoes.

As part of Consumer Reports insect repellent testing, volunteers agreed to have a standard dose of repellent applied to their forearms. Each person tested two repellents, using one on each arm. Then, they extended each arm into a cage of 200 disease-free mosquitoes of one species for five minutes.

If there were two bites in one exposure period, or one bite in each of two consecutive sessions, the repellent was considered a failure.

The study's two top-rated repellents, Total Home CVS Woodland Scent Insect Repellent and Off Deep Woods Insect Repellent Eight Dry, each contained DEET.

Other repellents that performed well contained 30 percent Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus and 20 percent picaridin. Research suggests both are safe, though Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus shouldn't be used on children under three.

Remember, to get the best protection from any of these repellents, they must be applied properly by following the directions on the label.

According to Consumer Reports, any product that protects from mosquito bites will also likely protect from tick bites.

Other tips to prevent pests that can carry West Nile Virus, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?

Once a week, get rid of any standing water around your home, and wear long sleeves, hats and long pants tucked into boots when walking in heavily wooded areas. Last but not least, children should not handle insect repellent themselves. Adults should apply it.