SCENTED BRACELET TO PREVENT BITES

Tanness Mosquito Bracelet, pack of 12, £8.99, amazon.co.uk

CLAIM: These scented, stretchy bracelets can be worn around the wrists or ankles to deter mosquitoes. They are said to offer up to 250 hours of effective repellent through scents such as citronella, lemongrass oil, lemon oil and geranium oil.

EXPERT VERDICT: ‘These bracelets contain a variety of essential oils, for which there is some evidence that they act as repellents,’ says pharmacist Ben Merriman.

‘The packaging says they are also free of the chemical DEET (diethyltoluamide), which is actually regarded as the gold standard for insect repellents [it disrupts receptors on mosquitoes’ antennae when they are seeking their prey]. There have been concerns about possible side-effects from excess exposure to DEET, though a 2014 study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found it was safe as long as it was used in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions and for less than a month.

‘I would not be happy relying on these wristbands as my sole protection in an area where malaria — which is spread by mosquito bites — is prevalent.’