Comparison: effectiveness of natural vs. chemical repellents – what risks, what results?

Imagine coming home after a day in the sun: stinging skin, repellent scent, tingling questions. DEET protects you for hours, yes. What about natural essential oils? Fragrant, attractive, but how solid is their shield against the most aggressive mosquitoes? Each promises safety, comfort, organic or chemical, without compromise. This article brings two worlds face to face – natural vs. chemical repellents – to understand their strengths, weaknesses and impact.

Chemical repellents: principles, effectiveness, strengths

Chemical repellents work by disrupting mosquitoes’ detection of body odors. DEET,icaridine andIR3535 are among the most widely used and approved active ingredients. DEET remains the benchmark, offering several hours’ protection, even in highly infested environments.

At concentrations of 5-30%, it protects for between two and six hours; at 40-50%, it can protect for up to eight hours, beyond which efficacy doesn’t really increase. Icaridine rivals DEET, but is better tolerated, with a milder odor and less oily texture. IR3535 is renowned for its safety, particularly for children and pregnant women.

Their main strengths:

• Long-term protection.
• Broad spectrum against mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies.
• Reliability even in tropical zones.

These qualities make chemical repellents indispensable allies when exposure to mosquitoes is high or prolonged.

Natural repellents: types, effectiveness, limits

Natural repellents are appealing for their healthy image and proximity to ecology. They are based on plant extracts or essential oils such as citronella, geranium, lemon eucalyptus, lavender or neem. These substances mask the body signals perceived by mosquitoes.

PMD (derived from lemon eucalyptus) is one of the few natural active ingredients whose effectiveness sometimes rivals that of chemical repellents, offering up to six hours’ protection. But most natural solutions, such as citronella, are only effective for up to an hour.

Advantages: pleasant fragrance, good occasional tolerance, appreciated alternative for sensitive skin.
Limitations:

• Short duration, requiring frequent applications.
• Highly variable depending on mosquito species and conditions.
• Allergic risk with certain essential oils.

These findings show that natural repellents are suitable for occasional use, but are no substitute for chemical solutions in high-risk environments.

Find out more: What scent repels mosquitoes? Discover natural and effective solutions

Direct comparison: performance, duration, cost

Comparing chemical and natural repellents reveals clear differences.

• Performance: DEET, icaridine and IR3535 provide effective protection against disease-carrying mosquitoes. Conventional essential oils (citronella, lavender) offer limited protection, except for the more effective PMD.
• Duration: chemical repellents provide 6 to 8 hours of protection. Natural repellents are limited to 30 to 90 minutes in most cases.
• Cost: a bottle of an effective chemical product lasts several weeks and costs between €6 and €12. Natural repellents often cost more per liter and require repeated applications, which reduces their profitability.

Conclusion: chemical repellents dominate in tropical zones or for long stays, while natural repellents are suitable for short outings in low-risk areas.

Find out more: Fight mosquitoes: 10 eco-friendly tips

Risks and side effects: health, environment

Chemical repellents are considered safe if used correctly. However, irritation, allergic reactions and, in rare cases, neurological effects have been reported. Health authorities limit the concentration of DEET to 30% for adults and 20% for children.

Natural repellents, on the other hand, present different risks. Essential oils can cause skin allergies and are often not recommended for pregnant women and young children. Their “safe” image should not obscure these realities.

On the environment, chemical repellents can contaminate aquatic environments. Natural repellents may seem greener, but mass production of essential oils also has an ecological impact (intensive cultivation, water and energy consumption).

Situations of use: when to opt for one or the other

• Tropical travel or areas where dengue fever, malaria or chikungunya are circulating: opt for chemical repellents to reduce the risk of illness.
• Summer evenings in Europe: a natural repellent may suffice, provided you accept short protection periods.
• Sensitive skin, children, pregnant women: prefer IR3535 or adapted formulations, as many essential oils are prohibited in these cases.
• Indoor environments: diffusing natural oils or candles improves comfort but does not really protect against bites.

Tips for choosing the right repellent (natural or chemical)

1. Read the concentration: 20-30% DEET or icaridin in tropical zones, PMD for a high-performance natural option.
2. Check registration: only registered active ingredients (DEET, icaridin, IR3535, PMD) guarantee regulatory control.
3. Adapt to the target audience: children, pregnant women and sensitive skin all require special formulations.
4. Duration of exposure: occasional use = possible with a natural repellent; prolonged exposure = chemical repellent recommended.
5. Comfort: odor, texture, water resistance influence regularity of use.

Towards effective, responsible protection with Mosquizen

Comparing natural and chemical repellents shows that neither option is perfect. The former seduce with their ecological image, the latter reassure with their proven effectiveness. The real challenge is to find solutions that combine safety, durability and respect for the environment.

This is the path Mosquizen is defending: offering innovative, ecological alternatives capable of controlling mosquitoes without relying solely on chemical repellents or sacrificing the effectiveness of natural repellents. A forward-looking approach that protects health and promotes environmental responsibility.

Find out more: QISTA by Mosquizen, the revolutionary mosquito killer in the Balearic Islands