Q: What products contain "oil of eucalyptus" or where can it be purchased? -T.H., Diboll, Texas

A: Several readers wanted more information about the non-DEET bug repellents mentioned in last week's column. The New England Journal study tested Repel Lemon Eucalyptus [*SEE BELOW], with a 30% concentration of oil of eucalyptus, and found that it repelled mosquitoes for an average of 120 minutes- that's better than some low-concentration DEET products. The study also looked at Bite Blocker for Kids, which contains 2% soybean oil, and repelled the bugs for 95 minutes. Check the label to find out if a product contains eucalyptus or soybean oil. Although the products don't contain DEET, experts say there's no evidence to suggest they are safer than the chemical. Some people can also suffer an allergic skin reaction so use a small amount if trying it for the first time.

A number of citronella products also are being sold as repellents. In the study, Natrapel, Herbal Armour, Green Ban for People and Buzz Away were all tested, but none kept mosquitoes away for an average of more than 20 minutes.

Finally, a number of marketers are promoting wristbands containing bug repellents, as a way to thwart mosquitoes without putting anything on your skin. But the wristbands, whether they contained DEET or citronella, simply didn't work, keeping bugs at bay for 18 seconds or less.

Q: For many years I have found Skin-So-Soft by Avon to be effective for me. Is Skin-So-Soft one of the non-DEET insect repellents you described in your recent article? -P.D., Youngstown, N.Y.

A: I heard from a number of readers who swear by Avon Skin-So-Soft, which is a bath oil not a bug repellent. Although Avon itself makes no claims about the oil's bug-repelling ability, popular wisdom holds that the product does have an effect. Avon has also introduced a Skin-So-Soft line of bug repellents, called Bug Guard Plus, which contain the chemical IR3535.

The New England Journal of Medicine study that compared products containing the chemical DEET with non-DEET repellents did test the Avon products. Testers who slathered their arms with Skin-So-Soft before putting their arms in a box of mosquitoes were protected for an average of 10 minutes. The Bug Guard Plus protected for an average of about 23 minutes.

*Click below to view Repel Lemon Eucalyptus in our online store!

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