When living, working, or traveling abroad, staying protected from insects and other pests can be a real challenge. While bug sprays help keep mosquitos, ticks, snakes and other critters at bay, many bug sprays have a tendency to give me a headache and make my skin feel like it’s on fire. In addition to this bug sprays do not always work either as they are often not as effective as we would like. Fortunately there are alternatives that can offer protection without putting your health in danger. Did you know there are a few nightcrawlers in the dating game? One of those nightcrawlers is mosquitoes. Mosquitoes and other insects can be very annoying when trying to enjoy the summer outdoors. The good news is, there are more effective repellents on the market that are natural, much safer, and more effective than using chemicals. Here is the definitive guide to choosing an insect repellent based on their effectiveness and natural ingredients. Summertime is here, which means exposure to insects and potentially uncomfortable bug bites. There are many products on the market that claim to repel insects. Some of these products don’t repel for very long . Others cost plenty, and it can be frustrating when you’re in a mosquito-infested area.
Best Insect Repellent
Introduction
Insect repellents containing DEET have been tested extensively and are a reliable way to keep pesky insects like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas away from your body. When looking for insect repellent products, you’ll want to look for one with DEET in it. This will be a safe bet that the product is effective in preventing bites from the most harmful bugs like ticks that carry Lyme disease or mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus. We’ve done some research and found out which products are best at keeping insects away while also being affordable so you don’t break the bank buying bug spray every summer!
The Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent (24 oz.) earned our top spot based on its effectiveness, 100% DEET concentration, and versatility. It can be used in both pump spray or continuous spray bottles.
You can’t go wrong with the Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent (24 oz.). This insect repellent earned our top spot based on its effectiveness, 100% DEET concentration, and versatility. It can be used in both pump spray or continuous spray bottles.
Our reviewers loved this product from Sawyer because of its versatility, effectiveness, and affordability. It’s also sweat proof so you don’t have to worry about it soaking into your clothes while you’re hiking or camping in warm weather climates. And at less than $10 per bottle (for either size), it’s one of the most affordable options around!
While there are many excellent models out there that can help keep bugs at bay during summer months (and even winter!), we found that this particular model stood out as being particularly effective at keeping mosquitoes and other pests at bay—no matter how much they try to infiltrate your environment!
The key ingredient here is DEET: a chemical compound found naturally in plants but has been used since 1946 as an insecticide due to its ability not only kill pests but also repel them from certain areas where humans exist so humans don’t get bitten by mosquitoes when outside enjoying activities like hiking or camping seasonally.”
Cutter Skinsations Insect Repellent with Aloe & Vitamin E is affordable, effective and has aloe to moisturize your skin. It comes in a pump spray bottle which the manufacturer says is sweat proof.
Cutter Skinsations Insect Repellent with Aloe & Vitamin E is effective and affordable, with aloe to moisturize your skin. It comes in a pump spray bottle which the manufacturer says is sweat proof.
The active ingredients are 20% DEET, 2% anise oil and 1% menthol. The inactive ingredients include witch hazel, aloe vera gel and vitamin E acetate (for moisturizing).
Ben’s 100 Max Formula Insect Repellent has a 98% DEET concentration and won our top spot for most effective by killing insects on contact. The formula is said to resist perspiration so it’s great for outdoor activities in high heat.
The highest concentration of DEET we tested was in this product, which boasts a 98% DEET concentration. It’s said to be resistant to perspiration and thus is suitable for outdoor activities in hot weather. Ben’s 100 Max Formula Insect Repellent contains no CFCs or other ozone-depleting chemicals but does contain 25% petroleum distillates (i.e., Vaseline) that can make it feel greasy when applied on skin; use sparingly!
The high concentration of DEET makes this our top pick for most effective by killing insects on contact, but if you’re sensitive to the chemical or just want something with less harsh chemicals, check out our runner-up recommendations below
3M Ultrathon is an effective insect repellent that provides protection for up to 12 hours and won’t leave behind a sticky residue like other repellents. It also doubles as a sunscreen with an SPF of 34.
3M Ultrathon is an effective insect repellent that provides protection for up to 12 hours and won’t leave behind a sticky residue like other repellents. It also doubles as a sunscreen, with an SPF of 34.
This DEET-based spray has a 98% concentration, which means it’s highly effective against mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers and other biting insects—not just flies or gnats. The best part? Although you might expect this sunscreen to leave your skin feeling greasy or sticky after application (like many other sunscreens do), 3M Ultrathon goes on dry and feels light on your skin.
While most people know of the Zika virus scare that occurred in 2016, there are still plenty of reasons why you’d want an insect repellent during outdoor activities in warmer months. Insect bites can cause infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever or Lyme disease if left untreated; they also spur allergic reactions from some people who come into contact with them (especially bee stings). And if that wasn’t enough: depending on where you live, certain bugs may even carry life-threatening diseases like malaria!
Repel Sportsmen 30% contains 30% DEET and protects against ticks, mosquitoes, gnats, flies, chiggers & fleas for up to 10 hours. This insect repellent comes in individual wipes which are great for hikers because they are individually wrapped so they don’t dry out before use like some liquids do . Each wipe will protect your face from insect bites and still allow you to wear makeup or sunscreen over it when hiking in the woods or any place where mosquitoes are prevalent.
These wipes are great for hikers because they allow you to wear makeup or sunscreen over them while hiking in the woods or any place where mosquitoes are prevalent. These wipes also protect your face from insect bites and still allow you to wear makeup or sunscreen over it when hiking in the woods or any place where mosquitoes are prevalent.
The Repel Sportsmen 30% contains 30% DEET and protects against ticks, mosquitoes, gnats, flies, chiggers & fleas for up to 10 hours. This insect repellent comes in individual wipes which are great for hikers because they are individually wrapped so they don’t dry out before use like some liquids do . Each wipe will protect your face from insect bites and still allow you to wear makeup or sunscreen over it when hiking in the woods or any place where mosquitoes are prevalent.
Find out which products will protect you from mosquito bites
You may have been told that mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide you exhale, but it’s actually your body odor and sweat that are the real culprits. Mosquitoes are also drawn to certain scents—like lactic acid, which is produced by humans after exercise (and when we’re scared).
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, it’s important to choose a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) or Picaridin. If you’re worried about chemicals on your skin or in your bloodstream (or if you have sensitive skin), look for products labeled “natural” or “organic,” which generally contain citronella oil as their active ingredient.
Some insect repellents come in lotion form; others are sprays. Sprays tend to be more effective because they reach farther into cracks and crevices where mosquitoes hide out between bites. And since mosquito bites can occur anywhere on the body except inside the ears and nose (and sometimes even there!), it’s important that whatever product you choose covers all exposed areas of skin thoroughly—especially those hard-to-reach spots like palms and soles!
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to find the insect repellent that best fits your needs. Consider what type of protection you need and how long you want it to last. Then choose a repellent based on which active ingredient that works best for you. Remember to always use as directed and only apply according to label instructions.
- Safe for use on the whole family, long-lasting insect and tick repellent lotion deters a wide variety of pests — up to 14 hours against mosquitoes and ticks and up to 8 hours against flies, gnats, and chiggers
- Fragrance-free topical insect repellent with 20% Picaridin — more effective at repelling biting flies than DEET; repels disease-spreading ticks (Lyme, tick-borne encephalitis) and mosquitoes (West Nile, Dengue, and Zika viruses), chiggers, and more
- Very comfortable to wear on your skin, it’s ideal for all your outdoor adventures, from camping, backpacking, hunting, and fishing to backyard BBQs, sporting events, days at the park, and more
- Non-greasy; dries quickly and won’t damage plastics or synthetic coatings — safe for use on clothing, backpacks, watches, sunglasses, fishing line, firearm finishes, and more
- Top rated bug repellent by WireCutter/New York Times (May, 2020); maximize protection by pairing with Sawyer Permethrin tick and insect repellent spray for clothing and gear
Additional Info :
Color | White |
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 5 Inches |
Width | 3 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
- Provides max protection against mosquitoes, flies, gnats, ticks, and other harmful biting insects
- The largest bottle available for carry-on luggage when your adventures take you out of town
- 100% DEET is the maximum amount available in bug repellent and provides up to 10 hours of protection
- Designed for use in areas of high bug density with intense biting activity
- Fragrance free formula allows you to smell the great outdoors, not your repellent
Additional Info :
Item Dimensions | |
Weight | 0.42 Pounds |
- DEET mosquito repellent formulated with 25% DEET
- Repels mosquitoes that may carry the Zika, Dengue, or West Nile viruses
- Long-lasting protection from mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats and chiggers
- Tick repellent that protects against ticks that may carry Lyme disease
- Powder-dry insect repelling formula – not oily or greasy
Additional Info :
Color | Multi |
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 6.4 Inches |
Width | 3.63 Inches |
Length | 1.81 Inches |
Weight | 0.83125 Pounds |
Release Date | 2016-05-05T00:00:01Z |
- CDC recommended active ingredient to repel mosquitoes and other harmful biting insects
- DEET-free formula won’t melt jackets, fishing line, and other plastics
- Our EPA-registered bug repellent is proven to repel mosquitoes and ticks for up to 12 hours
- Eco-Spray releases a fine mist at any angle for easy application with no rubbing required
- Natrapel is approved for children over 2 months, making it the ideal family insect repellent
Additional Info :
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 2 Inches |
Width | 4.5 Inches |
Length | 7.5 Inches |
Weight | 0.8 Pounds |
- CITRONELLA PATCH: Infused with citronella oil, these patches help repel mosquitos and does not kill them. Citronella works naturally to mask the scents of carbon dioxide and lactic acid that mosquitos are attracted to.
- MOSQUITO PATCH STICKERS: The patches are made using all-natural plant-based ingredients. They are 100% DEET-free. When you notice the citronella scent has faded, you should discard the patch as it has lost its effectiveness.
- STICK THEM ANYWHERE: The RiptGear insect repellent stickers are great for children and adults. You can apply them to your clothing, tables, backpacks, and even strollers. You should not apply these directly to your skin. They were designed to work in all weather conditions.
- CONVENIENT BUG REPELLENT: The small stickers are perfect for traveling and can be packed in a purse, suitcase, or backpack. The patches come in a resealable bag to ensure they are always fresh, effective, and ready for use.
- MOSQUITO REPELLENT FOR KIDS: These unique insect patches are an excellent alternative to bug spray, bracelet, or bands to prevent the chance of bug bite while being outdoors. Enjoy protection from insects without having to reapply citronella spray.
Additional Info :
Color | Green |
Item Dimensions | |
Height | 1 Inches |
Width | 3 Inches |
Length | 7 Inches |
Weight | 0.5 ounces |