Summer is almost here! In Florida, that means it is time to enjoy days of the sun, sand, and surf and nights of… well being cooped up inside because the mosquitos are brutal! An evening walk or a night stargazing turns into an all you can eat Vegas buffet for the flying and biting insects.

While we recommend enjoying your afternoons safely behind a retractable screen, we can’t walk around outside in a screened in bodysuit. And with the dangers of the West Nile Virus and Zika on the rise, now, more than ever is the time to be vigilant about protecting ourselves from these harmful pests.

So what is the safest and most effective insect repellent on the market today?

According to the latest Consumer Reports data, the most effective repellents contain up to 15 to 30 percent DEET, 20 percent picaridin, and 30 percent OLE.

They advise not reaching for more natural products such as lemongrass and citronella as these are not strong enough and do not work as well in laboratory tests.

The CDC recommends using EPA-registered repellents that contain these active ingredients.

Of course, all products should be used as directed and should be avoided near the eyes and open cuts. Wear long sleeve shirts and pants to avoid wearing too much repellent.

For a list of the highest rated mosquito repellents by Consumer Reports click here.