Research library
The studies behind every number on this site
Every protection estimate and evidence rating traces back to the papers below. Each study page summarizes the sample, species, methodology, and measured results, so you can judge the evidence yourself.
16 studies
- Repellency of Essential Oils and Plant-Derived Compounds Against Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes
Lopez AD, Whyms S, Luker HA, Galvan CJ, Holguin FO, Hansen IA · 2025 · Insects 16(1):51
LabWell-supported evidenceArm-in-cage dose-response study for geraniol at 1–10% on human skin, establishing a sigmoidal protection curve with EC50 around 5%.
- Repellent efficacy of 20 essential oils on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and Ixodes scapularis ticks in contact-repellency assays
Luker HA, Salas KR, Esmaeili D, Holguin FO, Bendzus-Mendoza H, Hansen IA · 2023 · Scientific Reports 13:1705
LabWell-supported evidenceArm-in-cage complete-protection-time assays of 20 EPA minimum-risk (25(b)) essential oils formulated as 10% v/v lotion emulsions against Aedes aegypti, plus tick-crossing assays against Ixodes scapularis.
- Efficacy of some wearable devices compared with spray-on insect repellents for Aedes aegypti
Rodriguez SD, Chung H-N, Gonzales KK, et al. · 2017 · Journal of Insect Science 17(1):46
LabWell-supported evidenceAedes aegyptiWind-tunnel attraction-inhibition assays comparing five spray-on repellents against wearable bracelets, a sonic device, a clip-on, and a citronella candle for reducing Aedes aegypti attraction.
- Lavender, eucalyptus, and orange essential oils as repellents against Ixodes ricinus females
Kulma M, Bubová T, Kopecký O, Rettich F · 2017 · Scientia Agriculturae Bohemica 48(2):76-81
LabLimited evidenceIxodes ricinusLaboratory comparison of lavender, eucalyptus, and orange essential oils against 10% DEET for repelling the tick Ixodes ricinus over 80 minutes.
- Efficacy of some wearable devices compared with spray-on insect repellents for the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)
Rodriguez SD, Drake LL, Price DP, Hammond JI, Hansen IA · 2015 · Journal of Insect Science 15(1):140
LabWell-supported evidenceWind-tunnel attraction-inhibition assays measuring how spray-on repellents and a range of wearable devices (bracelets, a sonic-output device, and a metofluthrin clip-on) reduced the attraction of female Aedes aegypti to a human hand.
- Activity of the plant-based repellent TT-4302 against the ticks Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes scapularis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Bissinger BW, Apperson CS, Watson DW, Arellano C, Sonenshine DE, Roe RM · 2014 · Experimental and Applied Acarology 62(1):105–113
LabLimited evidenceTwo-choice laboratory bioassays of a 5% geraniol formulation against four medically important tick species, compared to 15% DEET.
- Bioactivity of cedarwood oil and cedrol against arthropod pests
Eller FJ, Vander Meer RK, Behle RW, Flor-Weiler LB, Palmquist DE · 2014 · Environmental Entomology 43(3):762-766
LabLimited evidenceBioassays of CO2-extracted cedarwood oil from Juniperus virginiana for ant repellency and of its component cedrol for toxicity to black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis) nymphs.
- Essential oils of Cupressus funebris, Juniperus communis, and J. chinensis as repellents against ticks and mosquitoes and as toxicants against mosquitoes
Carroll JF, Tabanca N, Kramer M, Elejalde NM, Wedge DE, Bernier UR, et al. · 2011 · Journal of Vector Ecology 36(2):258-268
LabLimited evidenceLaboratory dose-response bioassays of Juniperus communis (and J. chinensis, Cupressus funebris) essential oils for repellency against adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and host-seeking nymphs of Amblyomma americanum and Ixodes scapularis ticks.
- Efficacy of the new repellent BioUD against three species of Ixodid ticks
Bissinger BW, Apperson CS, Sonenshine DE, Watson DW, Roe RM · 2009 · Experimental and Applied Acarology 48(3):239-250
LabWell-supported evidenceLaboratory choice-test bioassays of BioUD (7.75% 2-undecanone) versus DEET for repellency against the ticks Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, and Ixodes scapularis.
- Novel arthropod repellent, BioUD (2-undecanone), is an efficacious alternative to DEET
Witting-Bissinger BE, Stumpf CF, Donohue KV, Apperson CS, Roe RM · 2008 · Journal of Medical Entomology 45(5):891-898
LabWell-supported evidenceArm-in-cage and field trials comparing 7.75% 2-undecanone (BioUD) against 7-30% DEET for mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus) and ticks.
- Comparative repellency of 38 essential oils against mosquito bites
Trongtokit Y, Rongsriyam Y, Komalamisra N, Apiwathnasorn C · 2005 · Phytotherapy Research 19(4):303-309
LabWell-supported evidenceAedes aegyptiLaboratory screen of 38 plant essential oils at 10%, 50%, and undiluted concentrations on human skin against Aedes aegypti, with the best performers retested against Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles dirus.
- Laboratory Evaluation of Mosquito Repellents Against Aedes albopictus, Culex nigripalpus, and Ochlerotatus triseriatus
Barnard DR, Xue RD · 2004 · Journal of Medical Entomology 41(4):726–730
LabLimited evidenceArm-in-cage laboratory evaluation of a 25% geraniol commercial product (MosquitoSafe, mineral-oil base) against three mosquito species, versus 7% DEET.
- Comparative efficacy of insect repellents against mosquito bites (complete-protection-time study)
Fradin MS, Day JF · 2002 · New England Journal of Medicine 347(1):13-18
LabDefinitive evidencen = 15Aedes aegypti10 measured armsControlled arm-in-cage trial measuring complete-protection time for DEET, IR3535, a soybean-oil product, botanical sprays, and repellent-impregnated wristbands against Aedes aegypti.
- Formulation of an effective mosquito-repellent topical product from lemongrass oil
Oyedele AO, Gbolade AA, Sosan MB, Adewoyin FB, Soyelu OL, Orafidiya OO · 2002 · Phytomedicine 9(3):259-262
LabWell-supported evidenceEvaluation of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) oil in ointment, cream, and liquid-paraffin bases for topical mosquito repellency against Aedes aegypti.
- Larvicidal and mosquito repellent action of peppermint (Mentha piperita) oil
Ansari MA, Vasudevan P, Tandon M, Razdan RK · 2000 · Bioresource Technology 71(3):267-271
LabLimited evidenceLaboratory evaluation of peppermint (Mentha piperita) oil for larvicidal activity and for human-skin repellency against Anopheles annularis, Anopheles culicifacies, and Culex quinquefasciatus.
- Repellency of essential oils to mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)
Barnard DR · 1999 · Journal of Medical Entomology 36(5):625-629
LabWell-supported evidenceAedes aegyptiLaboratory skin tests of geranium, cedarwood, clove, peppermint, and thyme oils (5-100%) and combinations against Aedes aegypti and Anopheles albimanus.