Interpretive Summary: A major emphasis of research by scientists located within the Mosquito and Fly Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, is the development of innovative personal protection strategies against mosquitoes. Success will depend on the discovery and evaluation of new products and delivery systems. The present work was undertaken as acollaborative project with scientists at the the Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases (Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel) and Anastasia Mosquito Control District (St. Augustine, FL). Studies were conducted in a semi-field setting to determine the efficacy of seven commercial products. The project resulted in identifying several products which provided superior protection compared to all other devices.

Technical Abstract:
Human landing catch studies were conducted in a semi-field setting to determine the efficacy of seven commercial products used for personal protection against mosquitoes. Experiments were conducted in two empty, insecticide free, greenhouse compartments, in Israel, with either 1500 Aedes albopictus or 1500 Culex pipiens released on consecutive study nights. The products tested in this study were the OFF!® Clip-On™ Mosquito Repellent (Metofluthrin 31.2%) and the Terminix® ALLCLEAR® Sidekick Mosquito Repeller (Cinnamon oil 10.5%; Eugenol 13%; Geranium oil 21%; Peppermint 5.3%; Lemongrass oil 2.6%), which are personal diffusers; Super Band™ Wristband (22% Citronella oil) and the PIC® Citronella Plus Wristband (Geraniol 15%; Lemongrass oil 5%, Citronella oil 1%); the Sonic Insect Repeller Keychain; the Mosquito Guard Patch (Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 80 mg), a sticker for use on textiles; and the Mosquito Patch (vitamin B1 300 mg), a transdermal patch. It was determined that the sticker, transdermal patch, wristbands and sonic device did not provide significant protection to volunteers compared to the mosquito attack rate on control volunteers who were not wearing a repellent device. The personal diffusers:– OFF!® Clip-On™ and Terminix® ALLCLEAR® Sidekick – provided superior protection compared to all other devices in this study. These diffusers reduced biting on the arms of volunteers by 96.28% and 95.26% respectively, for Ae. albopictus , and by 94.94% and 92.15% respectively, for Cx. pipiens . In a second trial conducted to compare these devices directly, biting was reduced by the OFF!® Clip-On™ and the Terminix® ALLCLEAR® by 87.55% and 92.83%, respectively, for Ae. albopictus , and by 97.22% and 94.14%, respectively, for Cx. pipiens.. There was no significant difference between the performances of the two diffusers.