Repel
Insect Repellent Scented Family Formula 15% DEET
Spray · EPA-registered repellent (Reg. No. 305-48)
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Pros
- A family-strength 15% DEET, 3 to 4 hours of dependable cover, fully disclosed and EPA-registered.
Cons
- Mid-strength, so reapply on longer days, with the usual DEET care around plastics.
The full review
This family aerosol lands a solid recommended, carried by the things that matter most. The evidence behind its 15% DEET is about as settled as repellent science gets, all 7 audited marketing claims hold up (5 strong, 2 moderate), and the safety pillar reads clean with low irritation and no notable sensitization. A family-strength load translates to roughly 3 to 4 hours of complete mosquito protection and 2 to 3 against ticks, so it sits in the mid-strength range and asks for reapplication on longer days. The one real limiter is transparency: the brand discloses the active and its concentration but never accounts for the inert ingredients. Keep it off plastics and lenses, as with any DEET.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%83Mosquitoes: 3–4 h of complete protection. Ticks: 2–3 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: 3–4 h of complete protection. Ticks: 2–3 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%97DEET is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 7 marketing claims audited: 5 strong, 2 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 85). Of 7 marketing claims audited: 5 strong, 2 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, matching this spray (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~7 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 ~5 h as repellency decays.
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 · 15.0%
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Repels black flies, no-see-ums, sand flies and deer flies”
EfficacyStrongDEET at 15% (dose adequacy 1.0) repels biting flies generally, so black flies, no-see-ums, sand flies, and deer flies are within its supported spectrum.
“Provides up to 5 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks”
DurationStrongStated on the official EPA-approved label (PPLS 000305-00048, dated 2024-06-11). More specific than the current vague 'long-lasting' DURATION claim.
“Long-lasting protection for families who love the outdoors”
DurationModerateNo specific protection time is stated on the label or in the EPA repellent search tool for this product.
“Non-greasy formula that resists perspiration”
OtherModerateCosmetic/feel claim from the manufacturer.
“Repels mosquitoes that may transmit the Zika, West Nile, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses”
EfficacyStrongEPA-registered label claim; DEET at 15% is a well-supported mosquito repellent. Repellency does not guarantee disease prevention.
“Protects against mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, biting flies, chiggers and fleas”
EfficacyStrongEPA-registered pest spectrum for 15% DEET.
“DEET 15%”
EfficacyStrongActive ingredient concentration confirmed by EPA registration and product label.
How to apply it
Hold the container 6-8 inches from skin and clothing and spray to slightly moisten skin, keeping the sprayer pointed away from the face; use just enough to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Do not spray directly onto the face — spray on hands first and apply sparingly, avoiding eyes and mouth, and do not apply under clothing or over cuts, wounds, sunburned, or irritated skin. Do not allow children to handle the product or apply it to children's hands; when using on children, apply to your own hands and then put it on the child. Avoid overapplication; after returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water and wash treated clothing before wearing it again. Do not apply to synthetic fabrics such as acetate, rayon, or spandex.
The label
Ingredients, warnings, and directions from the package label. Read it before you buy.
