Mosquitoes haven't been too bad yet this summer, but they will be.

Most insect repellents contain DEET, which is considered safe if used according to the directions. But some people don't like using the chemical, especially on kids.

Consumer Reports tested a new repellent that claims to work without DEET, "Cutter Advanced," which promises "effective, dependable protection" without DEET and "insect protection without the odor."

Instead of DEET, its active ingredient is picaridin.

"Picaridin has been used in Europe and Australia for several years, so it has a proven track record and the world health organization and the centers for disease control regard it as safe," said Ginger Skinner of Consumer Reports.

In tests, Consumer Reports found that Cutter Advanced had little odor at all. The tests also compared Cutter Advanced to an unscented Cutter with 10 percent DEET.

"Cutter Advanced prevented bites for two to three hours from mosquitoes that carry yellow fever and for up to eight hours from mosquitoes that can carry the West Nile virus," Skinner said.

That's the same as the unscented Cutter with 10 percent DEET.

Cutter Advanced doesn't promise protection against ticks, which DEET repellents do.

Consumer Reports is in the process of testing another non-DEET repellent, lemon eucalyptus, which promises to protect against both ticks and mosquitoes. Check back for those results when they become available.