Anti-Brumm vs NoBite vs Care Plus: a Swiss physician's repellent guide
Why I keep recommending Anti-Brumm Forte for most travelers — and the situations where I switch to picaridin or higher-concentration DEET.
The short answer
For most Swiss travelers heading to a malaria or dengue zone, I recommend Anti-Brumm Forte (30% DEET) — available everywhere, well-tolerated, 6–8 hours of protection.
I switch to Care Plus 50% DEET for high-intensity exposure (Amazon, jungle treks). I recommend NoBite Skin (20% icaridin) for travelers who can't tolerate DEET.
For clothing, I always recommend NoBite Clothes (permethrin) as a separate, complementary layer.
What's in your local pharmacy
Prices vary 10–30% between Swiss pharmacies; ranges are approximate.
Why Anti-Brumm Forte is my default
I send 80% of patients to Anti-Brumm Forte.
Availability. Every pharmacy in Switzerland stocks it. Migros and Coop pharmacies carry it. No shopping around.
Effective duration. 30% DEET protects for 6–8 hours. Higher concentrations extend duration somewhat, but with diminishing returns.
Tolerability. Spray (most travelers prefer it over creams), less greasy than older DEET formulas, smells like DEET but not aggressive.
Trust. On the Swiss market for decades. Manufactured by Hermes Arzneimittel. Older Swiss travelers especially recognize and trust the brand.
Downside: it's still DEET. Damages plastics (don't spray on synthetic watch straps or sunglasses frames) and has a noticeable smell. Universal DEET issues, not Anti-Brumm specific.
When I switch to Care Plus 50%
For high-intensity exposure: Amazon basin, Papua New Guinea, Borneo interior — dense round-the-clock biting pressure where the extra 2–3 hours per application matters.
Also for travelers who sweat heavily (perspiration shortens duration) or for multi-day treks where reapplication is logistically difficult.
100% DEET isn't usually necessary — diminishing returns and increased skin sensitization. The exception is treating gear, where permethrin is better anyway.
When I recommend picaridin instead
Picaridin (also called icaridin) is essentially equivalent to DEET at 20%. The differences are sensory: no smell, doesn't damage plastics, lighter on skin.
Situations where I specifically recommend it:
- Pregnancy — DEET is officially safe at standard concentrations (per WHO/CDC), but several pregnant patients feel uncomfortable applying it. I prescribe whichever gives them confidence to actually use it.
- Travelers who hate DEET smell. Real complaint. If smell is the difference between using and forgetting, switch.
- People with watches or sunglasses they care about. DEET damages plastics; picaridin doesn't.
What picaridin doesn't replace: extreme high-intensity exposure (Amazon-class), where 50% DEET still wins.
Permethrin-treated clothing — the underused second layer
The recommendation patients haven't heard. Permethrin kills (or paralyzes) insects on contact with treated fabric. It goes on clothes, not skin.
Why it matters: mosquitoes and ticks contact your clothing first. Permethrin-treated clothing kills them before they bite. Combined with skin repellent, total protection is significantly higher than either alone.
The product: NoBite Clothes spray. Treat clothes yourself: lay flat, spray evenly until damp, dry overnight. Lasts 4–6 washes. About CHF 25 per 100 ml bottle.
Best for: high-risk malaria areas, tick-exposed travelers (forest hiking in central Europe in tick season), and high-biting-pressure travel where DEET alone isn't quite enough.
Important: permethrin is toxic to cats. Don't treat clothes near cats. Once dry, the residual on adult clothing is generally fine.
Children
- Under 2 months: no chemical repellent. Physical barriers only.
- 2 months to 12 years: 10–30% DEET, or 20% picaridin. Apply by adult.
- Over 12 years: adult dosing.
Anti-Brumm 20% or NoBite Skin 20% icaridin. Apply to your hands first, then to the child — never spray into a child's face.
Avoid sunscreen + repellent combos. Always apply sunscreen first, wait 15–20 minutes, then repellent on top.
Quick scenarios
- Tanzania safari — Anti-Brumm Forte for skin, NoBite Clothes treatment for safari clothes.
- Vietnam backpacking — Anti-Brumm Forte. The 30% concentration handles daytime Aedes (dengue) and evening Anopheles (malaria) equally.
- Amazon expedition — Care Plus 50% for skin, NoBite Clothes for everything fabric. Bring two of each.
- Swiss tick season — Anti-Brumm Forte for legs and arms, NoBite Clothes for trousers and socks.
- Pregnancy — NoBite Skin or Autan (picaridin).
- Family with kids — Anti-Brumm 20% for kids, Forte for adults.
A few questions
How often do I reapply? 30% DEET, 6–8 hours. 50% DEET, 8–10 hours. Picaridin 20%, 6–8 hours. Reapply earlier if heavily sweating or swimming.
Sunscreen first or repellent first? Sunscreen first. Wait 15–20 minutes. Repellent on top. Opposite order reduces sunscreen efficacy.
Citronella, plant-based, ultrasonic devices? Don't work well enough for high-risk travel. Save the money.
My DEET ruined my watch strap. Can I get it back? No. Apply only to skin or fabric, never to plastic.
Buy your repellent in Switzerland before you leave. The Anti-Brumm Forte you grab at your local Apotheke costs CHF 15 and lasts the whole trip — easiest decision in your travel prep.