Elephant Insect Repellent Spray
This is a powerful aerosol so stand back when you use it. It also smells very strong but did the trick. Easily absorbed into the skin without having to rub it in, it kept the bugs from biting until dawn. The packaging says it is also effective against flies, gnats and other biting insects. Also available as a roll on and a spray on lotion. 16.7 per cent DEET. Made in Cyprus.
Price: €6 for 125ml
Autan Active Spray
If you grew up in the UK, Autan is the repellent all others are judged by. Trusty and reliable, we never left home without one of these packed in the suitcase. Watch out for your nail varnish though. The packaging promises eight hours protection from biting insects and although Autan smells as strong as other brands it has no artifical colouring or preservatives. Autan contains Icaridin as the active ingredient which it has come up with itself and is suitable for everyone over two years of age. Autan family care range also available but I couldn’t spot an immediate difference.
Price: €3.96 for 100ml
Off Lotion
In a clear bottle so you can see when you are running out, this is an easy to use spray that comes out in a fine jet so needs very little rubbing in. Produced by SC Johnson, the company that brought us Pledge, it almost smells like talc! I’m guessing the active ingredient is N, N-Diethyl-m-toluamide. There is a whole range of products for fighting bugs deep in the woods but they are not all available here. This spray more than takes care of the suburban mosquito, offering six to eight hours protection, which saw me through till dawn.
Price: €3.94 for 100ml
Protec Insect Repellent Spray
A strong spray, this product promises to have no scent, so you will not smell like a citronella candle. It is quite greasy though and needs time to be absorbed into the skin. DEET free and non-toxic, Protec also includes Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to do the skin some good while scaring away those bugs. Suitable for children of all ages, I would recommend this product as it does keep the bugs away, but be careful if you’ve sprayed some on the floor.
Price: €9.40 for 100ml
Propoline Body Lotion to Repel Mosquitoes
This is definitely one for the grown ups, a body lotion that will repel bugs rather than something to spray on as an after thought. Presented in an elegant bottle, lotion is sprayed on to the skin that then needs rubbing in, so you will get some on your hands. The cream is quite luxurious though and rubs in easily. Very strong smell of citronella when sprayed on but this fades to leave a pleasant floral smell. Also contains basil, geranium and clove bud oil. Parabens free.
Price: €10 for 100ml
Aromakids Mike Mozzie Stick
There’s lots to this product that parents will like the sound of. It is totally natural, containing citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon and peppermint to keep away mosquitoes, insects and even head lice. Sign me up. This handy stick is great for slinging in your bag and resembles a pritt stick and in the same way, you push it out and rub it across the skin, leaving behind a streak of the repellent. Great if you don’t like getting it on your hands as there is no need to rub in. Hardly any smell either. Mike Mozzie also available as a spray, gel or patches that you can stick on the bed. Suitable for kids from three months.
Price: for 30g
Available from: Tel: 99 534344 for stockists
Korres Myrtle Insect Repellent Milk
This is aptly described as milk as the fine spray that comes out does indeed look like milk. There are absolutely no nasties in this one, but it has the shortest life – the bottle recommends reapplying every one to two hours. Active ingredients are Andiroba rain forest oil, the bitter taste of which has been proved to repel mosquitoes; also Australian myrtle oil and neem tree extract. All that adds up to create a light lotion – with aloe and calendula to sooth and reduce inflammation – which does not need rubbing in as it comes out in such a fine mist. Pleasant smelling, this is also suitable for using on children.
Price: €12 for 150ml
