Evans notes that, when used properly, bug spray (aka insect repellent) is safe and an important part of keeping kids healthy ...

An effective insect repellent can help you fight off the annoyance of buzzing mosquitoes, prevent itchy bites, and reduce your risk of serious bug-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and West Nile ...

To find the best bug sprays, Consumer Reports put repellents to the ultimate test -- having real people stick their arms into cages full of hungry mosquitoes. Posted 3:24 AM Jun 9, 2025 Updated 3: ...

A repellent fails if a mosquito bites twice in one 5-minute session, or if there’s one bite in each of two consecutive 5-minute sessions. Consumer Reports currently tests repellents only against ...

You should use insect repellents registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which uses an active ingredient that is safe and effective, even for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.