Anchor: Mayzie Olson
•7/10/2026
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — As mosquito control crews work to contain one of the biggest salt marsh mosquito explosions in Collier County in nine years, many people are stocking up on bug spray to protect themselves during these rainy months.
Effective bug sprays boil down to their active ingredient.
Just this spring, Consumer Reports put 50 repellents to the test. It applied different repellents to the arms of volunteers, who then stuck them into cages filled with hundreds of disease-free mosquitoes for five minutes.
Experts say the strongest repellents are ones that contain DEET, which is a chemical mixture that essentially confuses bugs.
Consumer Reports' study says consumers should specifically look for repellents that contain between 25-30% DEET.
The highest-rated repellents in the CR study offered protection for more than seven hours.
Here are the top three repellents according to CR: Ben's 30 Tick and Insect Repellent Wipes, Ben's 30 Tick and Insect Repellent Pump Spray Wilderness Formula and Off Sportsmen Deep Woods Insect Repellent 3.
While it is worth noting that research posted by Cleveland Clinic claims studies show DEET is safe if used as directed, there are more 'natural' bug sprays on the market as well.
For those weary of repellents with DEET chemicals, WINK Smart found effective alternatives.
Not all natural bug sprays are created equal. Some work well, others don't work at all, and it all comes down to again, the active ingredient.
CR's study reports the two best ingredients to keep bugs away are picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus, also known as OLE.
However, repellents simply containing those ingredients is not necessarily enough. It should contain at least 20% picaridin or 30% OLE.
The three natural repellents topping CR's list all factor in those specific ratios, fragrances, and overall protection.
Murphy's Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Spray offers protection for up to six hours and has 30% OLE.
Sawyer Picaridin Continuous Spray Insect Repellent is reported to have a nice smell, non-greasy feel and has 20% picaridin as its active ingredient.
Finally, the Proven Insect Repellent Spray—people say you can't smell it or feel it, and it has 20% picaridin too.
As far as treatment plans for Collier County going into the weekend, trucks and helicopters targeted Golden Gate, Immokalee and areas along U.S. 41 overnight Thursday and early Friday morning.
After 9 p.m. Friday night, mosquito crews will take to the air again over Collier Boulevard and southwest Golden Gate Estates.
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