Our top pick, the Sawyer Products Picaridin Continuous Spray Insect Repellent, is long-lasting, odor-free, and budget-friendly. Here are the best bug repellants.
If you’re looking for an insect repellent that uses CDC-recommended ingredients, reach for a can of Sawyer Insect Repellent. It contains 20 percent picaridin, a compound recommend by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Environmental Working Group (EWG), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to repel all types of insects, including gnats, mosquitos, chiggers, ticks, and flies, for as long as 12 hours. The fragrance-free formula isn’t sticky whatsoever. You can apply it to your skin, clothes, tent, backpack, and any other gear without worrying about a smelly residue. The aerosol can offer continuous spray, making it easy to get a thorough, even coat on all surfaces. This budget-friendly bug repellent also comes in the form of lotion and pump spray if you prefer a different application or just want to cover all your bases. Repellent Type: Spray | Pest Type: Mosquitoes/gnats/ticks/chiggers/flies | Volume: 6 ounces | Active Ingredient: Picaridin | Price at time of publish: $16 Repellent Type: Spray | Pest Type: Mosquitoes | Volume: 4 ounces | Active Ingredient: Lemon eucalyptus oil | Price at time of publish: $11 If you don’t mind the strong smell, you’ll be lower your risk of bites from mosquitoes, biting flies, chiggers, ticks, fleas, and gnats for as long as 12 hours. What’s more, the cream is waterproof, so you can count on it to hold up with sweaty adventures in humid climates. Repellent Type: Lotion | Pest Type: Mosquitoes/flies/ticks/fleas/chiggers/gnats | Volume: 2 ounces | Active Ingredient: DEET | Price at time of publish: $10 Looking to protect an entire area? Try burning a Citro Guard Candle. The 20-ounce wax blend contains citronella oil, which isn’t as effective or as long-lasting as other bug repellents but provides short-term, natural protection against bugs. Featuring a stable base and tall sides, you won’t have to worry about the copper container tipping over or the wick blowing out on windy days. Not only that, but this three-wick candle offers up to 40 hours of burning time. Repellent Type: Candle | Pest Type: Mosquitoes/flying insects | Volume: 20 ounces | Active Ingredient: Citronella oil | Price at time of publish: $76 You’ll get three repellent mats, each offering about four hours of protection as far as 15 feet in all directions. We also like that it comes in a range of colors to complement any outdoor decor style. Repellent Type: Lantern | Pest Type: Mosquitoes | Volume: N/A | Active Ingredient: Allethrin | Price at time of publish: $20 Emily Mader, Program Manager for the Department of Entomology at the Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, recommends checking the EPA’s website if you’re unsure about a particular ingredient and its overall effectiveness. She says, “The EPA has a great tool to help you look up active ingredients that have been registered with the EPA to protect against ticks and mosquitoes.” The EPA’s list does not endorse or recommend specific products, but it’s a helpful resource that can help you narrow down the best repellent for your needs, because products registered with the EPA have to show both safety and effectiveness.
Length of Effectiveness
Check how often you will need to reapply your repellent before you buy it. Some repellents only need to be applied once every 12 hours, while others need to be reapplied after just two hours to effectively repel insects. Often, the percentage of active ingredients, like DEET or picaridin, is what controls the length of time between applications, so look for a higher concentration if you’d prefer longer coverage.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Having tried and tested several bug repellents, we took into account the type of repellent, active ingredients, and length of effectiveness when recommending the best options on the market. For background, we consulted with Emily Mader, a Program Manager for the Department of Entomology at the Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases. She’s published over 20 articles related to tick surveillance and control practices in the United States and Lyme disease treatment. Some repellents use other some natural oils, like soy oil, geranium oil, and peppermint oil. Although these ingredients are generally not considered to be harmful, unless the product is registered with the EPA, its effectiveness at repelling insects may not have been evaluated. Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer with several years of experience covering outdoor living and recreation. When it comes to bug repellents, she’s a big fan of Cutter Candles. Theresa has been writing for The Spruce since 2019 and also contributes to MyDomaine and Byrdie.
