Study summary
Comparative efficacy of insect repellents against mosquito bites (complete-protection-time study)
Fradin MS, Day JF
- Study type
- Lab
- Year
- 2002
- Sample size
- 15 subjects
- Species tested
- Aedes aegypti
- Published in
- New England Journal of Medicine 347(1):13-18
- Evidence strength
- Definitive evidence
How it was tested
Arm-in-cage complete-protection-time (CPT) tests: 15 volunteers inserted a treated arm into a cage of unfed Aedes aegypti at intervals until the first confirmed bite.
What it measured
Measured complete protection time, by arm
Wearable format — essentially no protection.
Complete protection time = minutes until the first confirmed bite.
Summary
Controlled arm-in-cage trial measuring complete-protection time for DEET, IR3535, a soybean-oil product, botanical sprays, and repellent-impregnated wristbands against Aedes aegypti.
Key findings
A 23.8% DEET formulation gave a mean 301.5 minutes of complete protection; the 2% soybean-oil product (Bite Blocker) lasted 94.6 minutes - the best non-DEET product; IR3535 22.9 minutes; other botanicals under 20 minutes; wristbands offered no protection.
Limitations
Single mosquito species in a controlled laboratory cage; older formulation set; small volunteer panel.