Murphy's Naturals
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito & Tick Repellent Mist
Spray · EPA-registered OLE repellent (Reg. No. 84878-2-92107, distributor registration of Citrefine's 84878-2)
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Pros
- Strong botanical performance, 30% lemon eucalyptus for 4 to 6 hours, the plant-based active with real evidence.
- Fully disclosed and EPA-registered, with a clean, simple formula.
Cons
- Light on ticks, and it carries a sharp eucalyptus scent on an alcohol base.
- Not recommended for children under 3.
The full review
Built on 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus in a compressed-air can, this continuous mist earns a recommended verdict, with safety and transparency carrying the result. The formula is fully disclosed and the only meaningful knocks are mild irritation at 30% and an under-3 caution. The label's up-to-6-hour mosquito claim measures reduced biting; our model reads complete protection as about 4 to 6 hours for mosquitoes and a shorter 0.5 to 2 hours against ticks (EPA Reg. No. 84878-2-92107). The evidence pillar is trimmed by an audit that surfaced a weak and an unsupported claim, though OLE remains the one plant active with real field backing. Nothing here is hidden or oversold, just light on ticks and sharp in scent on its alcohol base.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%81Mosquitoes: 4–6 h of complete protection. Ticks: 0.5–2 h of complete protection. Protection times are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format (see methodology). Scored on a saturating curve (each added hour counts less than the last), 65% mosquito / 35% tick, with reasonable confidence.
Mosquitoes: 4–6 h of complete protection. Ticks: 0.5–2 h of complete protection. Protection times are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format (see methodology). Scored on a saturating curve (each added hour counts less than the last), 65% mosquito / 35% tick, with reasonable confidence.
Evidence & honest claims25%57Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 65). Of 6 marketing claims audited: 2 strong, 2 moderate, 1 weak, 1 unsupported (-8).
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is well-supported by published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 65). Of 6 marketing claims audited: 2 strong, 2 moderate, 1 weak, 1 unsupported (-8).
Safety15%86From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; moderate irritation risk from Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus at 30% (−6); not recommended for children under 3 (Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus) (−8).
From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; moderate irritation risk from Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus at 30% (−6); not recommended for children under 3 (Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus) (−8).
Transparency15%90This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 33% of all ingredient concentrations (+5); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 33% of all ingredient concentrations (+5); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
Every pillar is scored from published rules. Read how we score.
How long it protects
Complete protection ends when the first bite gets through; partial protection keeps reducing bites as repellency decays. EPA label times are verified; the rest are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format.
Mosquito estimate basis (moderate confidence)
Estimated complete protection time from active ingredient + concentration; the source research used a spray-style formulation, matching this spray (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~11 h as repellency decays.
Tick estimate basis (moderate confidence)
Estimated complete protection time from active ingredient + concentration; the source research used a spray-style formulation, matching this spray (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~4 h as repellency decays.
Ingredient disclosure
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 33% of all ingredient concentrations (+5); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
- Oil of Lemon EucalyptusActive
Active repellent · 30%
- Ethanol
Inert / solvent · concentration not disclosed
- Water
Inert / carrier · concentration not disclosed
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“DEET-free, plant-based protection”
Deet FreeStrongActive is botanically derived oil of lemon eucalyptus (Citriodiol).
“Suitable for application to all ages”
Kid SafeUnsupportedContradicts age guidance: Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus is not recommended under 3 years, but this claims use from all ages.
“No chemical propellants; compressed air only, and won't harm gear”
OtherModerateBag-on-valve packaging claim; brand recommends spot-testing fabrics.
“Up to 6 hours of protection against mosquitoes”
DurationStrongEPA-registered label claim for 30% OLE.
“Up to 4 hours of protection against deer ticks”
DurationModerateRe-evaluated against our corrected complete-protection estimate (~2 h): the claimed 4 h is 2.0× our estimate, so this duration claim is optimistic but plausible (a label maximum).
“More than 8 hours of protection against lone star and brown dog ticks”
DurationWeakRe-evaluated against our corrected complete-protection estimate (~2 h): the claimed 8 h is 4.0× our estimate, so this duration claim is thinly supported.
How to apply it
Twist the nozzle to the open position and spray evenly on exposed skin or gear; on first use, press firmly to break the safety seal. Avoid contact with eyes; do not apply over cuts or irritated skin. Reapply after the labeled protection window (up to 6 hours for mosquitoes, 4 hours for deer ticks). Lock the nozzle after use and store away from heat. Not registered in California for use on children under 3.