Off Clip-on Mosquito Repellant: Does it Work? - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Off Clip-on Mosquito Repellant: Does it Work?

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By Lauren Keith - bio | email

Heartland News Viewers are emailing by the dozens requesting I try Off's brand new Clip On Mosquito Repellent on Does it Work Wednesday, making it the most requested product of the summer so far.  I head to the softball field for this test.

Softball moms Barb Hopkins and Tamara Smee spend a lot of time in the stands watching their daughters play and swatting at mosquitoes.

"I personally don't like the feel of chemicals on skin or the smell," says Barb.

Here's the next thing to try - the Mosquito Clip by Off. Wearing this could give you "head to toe protection up to 12 hours."  First you slip in the repellant disc, then turn on the battery-powered fan.  You can barely even hear the fan going. We wonder if this fan is powerful enough to circulate the repellant from head to toe.  For the last two weeks, each wore the clips while gardening, hiking, barbecuing and more.  Here's what we found.

"I really liked it for gardening or when I sat outdoors to read, but when I moved around or played sports, I would not use it," says Barb.

"I don't know that it worked a whole lot better than the spray," says Tamara.

"I'm really active. I like to do sports, but I'd rather just use the can because you can't really run around with it," says Melissa Hopkins, Barb's daughter.

"I was playing cards on a table and I placed it on top, but it didn't go under the table. I got a bunch of bites on my legs," says Winnie Smee, Tamara's daughter.

Melissa also got bitten on her ankles while wearing the device.  Our consensus: the clip doesn't offer much protection for the feet and ankles, so remember that if you place it on a table. However, the moms say it worked great while they sat in the bleachers.

"This has no smell or odor at all. You can feel a little vibration when you turn it on," says Barb.

Now let's talk cost.  It's $9 for the starter kit, batteries included, and $4 for a two-pack refill.  Each refill only lasts 12 hours, and you must toss it after two weeks since first opening it.  For Barb, it's worth a few extra dollars to cut down on the sticky feeling often left behind by sprays, but Tamara isn't so sure.

"If you really have a problem with stickiness, this would be a great benefit, but if you don't mind spraying down and washing your hands after, then go with the spray.  That's probably what I'll do," says Tamara.

Winnie says, "Grade 'B"

Melissa says, "It's better for my mom than it is me. B minus."

Barb says, "I'd probably give it a B plus."

"I'd probably give it a B plus," says Winnie.

I'll average the grades and in all, Off's Clip On Mosquito repellent takes a bite out of a good grade 'B' on this Does it Work test.  I bought the kit at Wal-Mart.

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