Aren the “natural” repellents just as good as DEET?
Currently available “natural” or “plant-based” insect repellents cannot match the broad-spectrum efficacy and long-lasting action of DEET repellents. Most natural repellents contain citronella, which is a lemony-scented oil derived from two cultivated grasses. Very variable efficacy has been reported in scientific studies of citronella, depending on the product tested and the species of insect examined. In general, these studies show very short protection times, lasting just a few minutes to up to two hours.
