Cutter
Cutter All Family Mosquito Wipes
Wipe · EPA-registered
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Pros
- Handy travel wipes that lay down real, if brief, DEET protection without a spray can.
Cons
- Low 7% DEET means short cover, 1 to 2 hours, so reapply often.
- No tick edge, and wipes spread less evenly than a full spray.
The full review
These 7.15% DEET towelettes land recommended with caveats, a verdict driven almost entirely by their low strength. Safety is excellent and DEET's evidence is strong, but the thin concentration in a wipe format yields only 0.8 to 2 hours of complete mosquito protection and 1 to 2 hours against ticks, which holds effectiveness down. The label's 'up to 2 hour' claim aligns reasonably with our estimate, so this is genuinely short protection rather than an overpromise. Transparency reflects full active disclosure without an inert accounting. The wipe format and controlled dosing make these handy for kids or quick errands, but plan to reapply often if you are out for long.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%64Mosquitoes: 0.8–2 h of complete protection. Ticks: 1–2 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: 0.8–2 h of complete protection. Ticks: 1–2 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%63DEET is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 51). Of 6 marketing claims audited: 5 strong, 1 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
DEET is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 51). Of 6 marketing claims audited: 5 strong, 1 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
Safety15%96From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; low irritation; moderate aquatic toxicity (−4).
From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; low irritation; moderate aquatic toxicity (−4).
Transparency15%75This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 100% of all ingredient concentrations (+15); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 100% of all ingredient concentrations (+15); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
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, adjusted down for this wipe format (×0.80). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~3 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, adjusted down for this wipe format (×0.80). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~3 h as repellency decays. Ticks only: estimated against Ixodes scapularis (the US Lyme vector). DEET is notably weaker against the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and some dog-tick (Dermacentor) populations, and weaker on ticks than on mosquitoes. Anchors: Burtis 2024 (CDC), 25% DEET held >=97% skin repellency through 6.5 h; Buchel 2015, 20% median tick CPT ~4-4.5 h.
Ingredient disclosure
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 100% of all ingredient concentrations (+15); inert ingredients are not fully accounted for (0).
Only active ingredients are disclosed. The full ingredient list (inerts/carriers) is not published, so this may not be the complete formula.
- DEETActive
Active repellent · 7.15%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Meets AAP guidelines for children ages 2 months and older”
Kid SafeModeratebrand/Amazon
“Repels mosquitoes that may transmit Zika, West Nile, Dengue and Chikungunya”
EfficacyStrongDEET at 7.15% (doseAdequacy 0.48) is an EPA-registered active and the Zika/WNV/Dengue/Chikungunya vector claim is a standard EPA-registered label claim.
“Repels mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, no-see-ums, chiggers and fleas”
EfficacyStrongPest list printed on the EPA-registered label.
“Up to 2 hours of protection against mosquitoes”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~2 h).
“Up to 2 hours of protection against ticks”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~2 h).
“DEET 7.15%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration confirmed on product label and EPA registration database.
Safe around dogs & cats?
Worst case from this product’s active ingredients. Do not apply this or any human repellent to your pet.
Mainly from DEET.
Mainly from DEET.
Not veterinary advice. Full guide to repellents around pets →
The label
Ingredients, warnings, and directions from the package label. Read it before you buy.
