Putting mosquito spray to the test to find the best

More rain means more mosquitos. And as soon as we start drying out, it's going to get bad out there.

To help you prepare, here are results of the latest tests on some self-protection sprays and even some other products that may work that don't cost a whole lot.

What really works against bug bites? Consumer Reports just released new, safer options to keep mosquitoes away. They found those products made with milder, plantlike chemicals were the most effective.

Even the top scorers outperformed products that contained DEET, a chemical that did best in other Consumer Reports ratings but can cause side effects.

The product that scored tops overall is a DEET-free product called Sawyer Fisherman for $8.25. It's in a pump and contains 20 percent Picaridin.

Repel: Lemon Eucalyptus was second overall. It's another DEET-free product for $7 and contains 30 percent oil of eucalyptus.

Rounding out the top three was Repel: Scented Family with 15 percent DEET. It's in an aerosol spray for $7.50.

We also asked our Facebook friends for their opinion on what works for them.

Amanda Macias and Erica Mitchell say Johnson and Johnson creamy baby oil for $3.64 really works to battle mosquitos. It contains aloe vera and Vitamin E. We noticed online it was out of stock at Walmart.

Other Facebook fans chimed in say these three items used separately have worked for them to help fight off bugs: peppermint oil, Listerine and scented dryer sheets rubbed on the skin.

One Facebook viewer says Deep Woods Off "really, really works." and although it contains 25 percent DEET, Deep Woods Off "dry" was rated number five on the Consumer Reports top-rated products.