NATPAT
NATPAT BuzzPatch Mosquito Repellent Stickers for Kids
Electronic · Marketed as a DEET-free essential-oil consumer product rather than an EPA-registered skin repellent. Essential-oil repellent patches of this type are generally sold under the EPA FIFRA 25 minimum-risk exemption and are not reviewed by the EPA for bite-protection efficacy.
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Cons
- No reliable evidence it reduces mosquito bites in controlled studies
- The kind of device the FTC has fined marketers of for unsupported repellent claims
The full review
Colorful peel-and-stick fabric patches infused with citronella and other plant essential oils, made to stick on a child's clothing or gear and marketed as an all-natural, DEET-free way to protect kids without anything on their skin. The smiley-face designs are appealing to children and the patches do release a real scent into the air right around them. The catch is the format. A sticker on a shirt or a shoe scents only the small pocket of air next to it, while mosquitoes bite the exposed skin of the arms, legs, neck, and face, often well away from where the patch sits. A comparative repellent trial in the New England Journal of Medicine found wearable repellent bands offered essentially no protection against bites, and public-health guidance from the University of Sydney names stickers specifically as not a reliable way to prevent mosquito bites. The patches are cute, non-toxic, and harmless to wear, but controlled evidence does not support them as whole-body protection for a child.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%0There is no reliable evidence that this reduces mosquito bites. Controlled field studies and systematic reviews of electronic and gadget repellents (ultrasonic devices, apps, and repellent wristbands) have found no protective effect, and the linked research below shows why. It scores zero for effectiveness against biting.
There is no reliable evidence that this reduces mosquito bites. Controlled field studies and systematic reviews of electronic and gadget repellents (ultrasonic devices, apps, and repellent wristbands) have found no protective effect, and the linked research below shows why. It scores zero for effectiveness against biting.
Evidence & honest claims25%2No published studies in our library directly support this product's active ingredients at their concentrations (base 20). Of 3 marketing claims audited: 1 strong, 0 moderate, 0 weak, 2 unsupported (-18).
No published studies in our library directly support this product's active ingredients at their concentrations (base 20). Of 3 marketing claims audited: 1 strong, 0 moderate, 0 weak, 2 unsupported (-18).
Safety15%60This is not applied to your skin and poses little direct hazard to you. Safety is not the concern with these products; effectiveness is (see above).
This is not applied to your skin and poses little direct hazard to you. Safety is not the concern with these products; effectiveness is (see above).
Transparency15%0This product publishes no ingredient list (0).
This product publishes no ingredient list (0).
Every pillar is scored from published rules. Read how we score.
Ingredient disclosure
This product publishes no ingredient list (0).
The manufacturer does not publish an ingredient list for this product.
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Citronella essential oil patches repel mosquitoes from kids”
EfficacyUnsupportedThe oils are active in a small pocket of air next to the patch, but a sticker cannot protect a child's exposed skin. Fradin and Day (NEJM, 2002; 347(1):13-18) found wearable repellent bands gave essentially no protection against bites, and the University of Sydney public-health guidance names stickers specifically as not a reliable way to prevent bites.
“Effective for up to 8 hours, lasting 24 to 72 hours”
DurationUnsupportedHow long a patch keeps smelling is not the same as how well it protects. Repellent vapor only works within a few centimeters of the patch, so it leaves the arms, legs, and face exposed no matter how long the scent lasts. Rodriguez et al. (J Insect Sci, 2017; 17(1):24) found wearable devices did not significantly reduce mosquito attraction.
“All-natural, non-toxic, plant-based and DEET-free”
NaturalStrongThis is accurate. The patches are DEET-free, use plant essential oils, and are non-toxic and safe to wear. The honest limitation is coverage rather than safety: a sticker scents only a small pocket of air and cannot protect the skin mosquitoes actually reach.