Mosquito-repellent wristband put to test

MosquitNo gets mixed reviews

Mosquitoes are definitely annoying and that is why the Curtis family was happy to test  a new product -- a rubber wristband that repels mosquitoes.

"MosquitNo," infused with citronella oil, is supposed to keep mosquitoes from biting you. One $4 band is supposed to last six days.

 A few days later we caught up with the Curtis family enjoying the outdoors, but say mosquitoes are a problem.

"We actually were really excited to try the bands because mosquitoes are so awful here," Stephanie Curtis said.

"We do have lots of little ponds in our neighborhood and we back up to a very big lake over here," Mckay Curtis said.

So how did the all natural citronella rubber bands work?

Stephanie Curtis gave four kid-sized bands to her children and she and her husband wore the adult bands.

"We tried the bands several nights over the past week, and even fresh out of the package they weren't as strong as we thought," Stephanie Curtis said.

"You can smell a slight citronella smell to it but the mosquitoes still started swarming around us," Mckay Curtis said.

In fact, Stephanie Curtis called it disappointing.

"I was hoping they would work better than they did, but they didn't," she said.

Photographers Brian Shwartz and Jesse Draus also tested the bug bands. They both work nights and setting up lights always draws mosquitoes.

Shwartz wore the band two days.

"I noticed on the right-hand side of me they were fine, but they were getting annoying on the left-hand side, so I borrowed somebody's bug spray," he said.

Draus said he had better luck.

"I thought it was very potent and I didn't get bit the nights I wore it" Draus said.

Dr. Thomas Breaud of Orange County Mosquito Control said the most effective repellent hands down is spray.

"In the scientific literature the repellants are the best we can do. The bands just don't work as effectively. Bands on my wrist are not going to protect my ankles and that's where these mosquitoes like to bite," he said.

To protect yourself,  avoid going out during peak mosquito times -- within an hour of dusk or dawn. Wear long pants and long sleeves. And, get rid of standing water around your home where mosquitoes can breed.


About the Author:

Marilyn Moritz is an award-winning journalist dedicated to digging up information that can make people’s lives a little bit better. As KSAT’S 12 On Your Side Consumer reporter, she focuses on exposing scams and dangerous products and helping people save money.