A friend of the Repellent Review, Denise, informed us of a bug repellent she recently purchased and tried out; the Racquet Zapper.

Denise took the racquet zapper on a recent hike, and let us know how it faired against those annoying, buzzing pests.

RR: So Denise, what exactly is the racquet zapper, how do you use it, and how much did this bug repellent cost you?

Denise: The racquet zapper is a bug repellent that’s shaped like a tennis racquet. It runs off a couple of AA batteries. The batteries charge an electric grid. The grid is triggered by a button you press. It electrifies, and you swing at the insect thats bothering you, and it zaps it dead. I picked mine up for less than $10.

RR: Sounds like fun. Does this electronic insect repellent work?

Denise: Oh ya. It’s fun. We all tried it out along the hike. (There was a group of five people along). It worked ok on bigger bugs, but was worthless on smaller ones like gnats. You had to make sure the bug hit the grid, and not the outside of the racquet, or it wouldn’t kill it. It seemed to work well for mosquitoes. I’ve also used it at home against flies. It’s more fun zapping them, than hitting them with a fly swatter. The batteries did run out quicker than I thought they should though.

RR: Denise, would you recommend the Racquet Zapper?

Denise: It’s really entertaining for a bug repellent. We were laughing on the hike, and looking for bugs, instead of trying to avoid them. It works ok. A good coat of mosquito repellent would probably work just as well. If you’re looking for a fun gadget to play with, I’d recommend it, but because the batteries run out I probably won’t be using it on a regular basis.

RR: Thanks Denise! It seems bugs sometimes can spark a little fun. Repellent Review gives the Racquet Zapper an A for entertainment value, and a C+ for effective value. Unless you keep a fresh supply of batteries around when you’re outdoors, you’d be out of luck when this bug repellent loses it’s juice. The Racquet Zapper is available online.

Children, like Seth and Taylor here, are just as susceptible to getting bitten by a bug as adults are. As parents or guardians of children, we want to make sure they’re able to avoid getting attacked by those flying pests in the safest way possible. Here are a few tips on protecting children when using insect repellent.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has long been an advocate for the welfare of our children. They advise some of the following procedures:

• Use an insect repellent containing Deet because of its effectiveness.
• Only use bug repellents that have a concentratation of DEET no higher than 30%.
• Do not use a DEET-based insect repellent on an infant younger than 2 months old.
• Do not overapply DEET-based deterrents.
• Monitor the use of repellents on children under 12 years old.
• Avoid applying insect repellent around the eyes, hands, or mouths of small children.
• Follow the directions of the insect repellent manufacturer.
• If a child produces a rash after applying a deterrent, wash the skin with soap and water.
• Always have children wash their hands before eating (Bring towlettes to a picnic or outdoor barbeque).
• Preferably apply calamine or follow an effective homemade bug bite remedy if any bites do occur.

Following a few simple guidelines when using insect repellent with children will help keep them bite-free, and safe from the potential hazards of any chemical-based product. Also, remember to check your child’s hair for ticks before going indoors. Keep their fingernails short in the event the insect repellent allows a few critters through.