Summary of "Bug Repellents That Work" Episode of The Wirecutter Show

Release Date: May 28, 2025

Introduction

In the "Bug Repellents That Work" episode of The Wirecutter Show, hosts Christine Cyr Clisset, Kyra Blackwell, and Rosie Guerin delve into effective strategies for repelling mosquitoes and ticks. Joined by Doug Mahoney, a seasoned Wirecutter senior staff writer specializing in pest control, the episode provides actionable advice grounded in rigorous product testing and expert insights.

Understanding Mosquitoes and Ticks

The conversation begins with Doug Mahoney sharing his personal experiences with Lyme disease, highlighting the persistence and prevalence of tick-borne illnesses. His testimony underscores the importance of effective bug repellents in everyday life.

Doug Mahoney [00:35]: "The symptoms of Lyme are very tricky. They're just these sort of general flu-like symptoms. Muscle stiffness. Personally, I feel it in the neck. I get a really stiff neck."

Mahoney emphasizes that Lyme disease can recur multiple times, illustrating the relentless nature of tick interactions.

Preventive Measures

Before applying repellents, the hosts and Mahoney discuss environmental controls to minimize mosquito and tick presence around the home.

Doug Mahoney [05:40]: "The first thing you want to do as far as mosquitoes go is you want to get rid of any standing water that's around. The problem with standing water is that's the breeding ground for mosquitoes."

Key preventive strategies include eliminating standing water, using bug-repellent light bulbs, and maintaining a well-mowed lawn to deter ticks.

Repellents: Types and Effectiveness

The core of the episode focuses on various repellents, their mechanisms, and effectiveness.

1. DEET

   • Description: A synthetic chemical developed in the 1940s.
   • Effectiveness: Highly effective against both mosquitoes and ticks.
   • Safety: Considered safe when used as directed, though often confused with the harmful pesticide DDT.

   Doug Mahoney [10:04]: "DEET is a synthetic chemical repellent. It was developed in the 1940s. It is very effective against ticks, it's very effective against mosquitoes, and it is used on a global scale, and it's considered a safe repellent."

2. Picaridin

   • Description: Developed in the 1980s, derived from the pepper plant.
   • Effectiveness: Comparable to DEET without DEET's drawbacks.
   • Advantages: Pleasant smell, non-oily, does not damage plastics or synthetics.

   Doug Mahoney [12:42]: "Picaridin... has about the similar repellency as DEET. But it doesn't have a lot of DEET's drawbacks."

3. IR3535

   • Description: Less common, often combined with sunscreens.
   • Effectiveness: Effective but not as widely available or versatile as DEET and Picaridin.

   Doug Mahoney [14:25]: "IR3535... typically is sold in sort of an all in one product with a sunscreen, which generally isn't a great idea."

4. Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus

   • Description: Not to be confused with essential oils, it's an extract from the lemon eucalyptus tree, also available in a synthesized form called PMD.
   • Effectiveness: Good repellency, though shorter duration compared to DEET and Picaridin. Strong odor can be a deterrent for some users.

   Doug Mahoney [15:32]: "Oil of lemon eucalyptus... it has very good repellent capabilities. The repellency duration is typically less than that of DEET or Picaridin."

Insecticides: Permethrin and Usage

Moving beyond topical repellents, the discussion shifts to insecticides, particularly permethrin, and their role in personal protection.

Doug Mahoney [20:42]: "For bug control... the most useful insecticide is called permethrin, especially if you live in tick country."

Key Points:

• Application: Applied to clothing, not skin. Effective for about six washes or up to six weeks.
• Safety: Toxic to cats when wet; must dry completely before allowing pets nearby.
• Effectiveness: Offers long-lasting protection, reducing tick bites by up to 74%.

Additional Methods: Spatial Repellents and Fans

The episode explores spatial repellents like Thermacell and environmental adjustments such as using fans to deter mosquitoes.

Doug Mahoney [26:00]: "You could even just get a simple fan if you're just enjoying like a back porch or a patio. Mosquitoes are very weak fliers compared to most bugs."

Key Takeaways:

• Thermacell: Creates a protected zone by vaporizing repellents, effective in calm environments.
• Fans: Simple and cost-effective method; mosquitoes struggle against strong air currents.

Common Misconceptions and Advice

Mahoney debunks myths surrounding insect repellents and insecticides, cautioning against ineffective products like citronella candles and bug zappers.

Doug Mahoney [27:37]: "Bug zappers... do not attract biting flies really at all. And they do attract pollinators."

Tick Removal and Lyme Disease Information

A significant portion is dedicated to proper tick removal and recognizing Lyme disease symptoms.

Doug Mahoney [28:21]: "I find that a pair of sharp tweezers is the most effective way to go about it."

Key Points:

• Removal Technique: Use tweezers to grasp the tick firmly near the skin and pull straight out without squeezing.
• Lyme Symptoms: Can range from bullseye rashes to flu-like symptoms and muscle stiffness. Not everyone develops visible rashes, making symptoms easily confusable with other ailments.
• Reinfection: It's possible to contract Lyme disease multiple times.

Final Tips and Takeaways

The hosts share their personal strategies inspired by Mahoney's advice:

• Christine Cyr Clisset: Plans to reassess the use of spatial repellents like Thermacell.
• Kyra Blackwell: Intends to try Picaridin for personal protection.
• Rosie Guerin: Opts for a high-powered fan as a low-budget solution.

Christine Cyr Clisset [32:25]: "I'm going to try Picaridin. Yeah, just spraying a little bit on me before I walk out the door and see how that goes."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on the importance of effective bug repellents and promising practical solutions for the spring and summer months. Doug Mahoney’s expert insights provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of available options and best practices to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes and ticks.

Notable Quotes

• Doug Mahoney [05:35]: "It's not going to stop us now. I will keep working to get you the facts."

• Doug Mahoney [09:39]: "The reliable repellents are the ones that have been approved by the EPA."

• Doug Mahoney [22:56]: "Permethrin... can actually kill the insect."

Resources

For more detailed product recommendations and tips mentioned in this episode, listeners are encouraged to visit The Wirecutter website or refer to the show notes available on their podcast platform.