We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Skin & Hair Products The Best Bug Sprays, Backed By Our Testing Stop all kinds of creepy crawlies in their tracks with these 8 bug sprays. By Elizabeth Yuko, PhD and Caroline Thomason Updated on August 02, 2023 Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Fact checked by Rich Scherr Print Verywell Health / Surfina Adams Insect bites aren’t just unpleasant—they also have some serious health ramifications. Mosquitoes can carry malaria, Zika virus, and West Nile virus while ticks can cause Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and others. Bug repellents prevent both bites from insects and any diseases they may carry. The top bug sprays on the market can protect you from mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, biting flies, no-see-ums, and other types of biting insects. But it can be difficult to navigate the many products out there. A good starting point for choosing a bug spray is to consider the active ingredient and the delivery method. The active ingredient for most bug sprays is DEET or picaridin, although some of the more natural options use oil of lemon eucalyptus as an alternative. You can also find bug sprays in aerosol, spritz, or lotion forms. To find the best bug repellents, we interviewed experts to create our list, then personally tested each product’s effectiveness, coverage, ease of use, value, and smell. We also considered active ingredients, application methods, EPA labeling, and what types of insects each spray could repel. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Off! Active Insect Repellent I at Walmart ($7) Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes Insect Repellent at Amazon ($16) Jump to Review Best for Kids: Off! Family Care Insect Repellent II with Picaridin at Amazon ($9) Jump to Review Best without DEET: Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent at Amazon ($13) Jump to Review Best with DEET: Off! Deep Woods Insect Repellent VIII at Amazon ($4) Jump to Review Best Long-Lasting: Sawyer Controlled Release Insect Repellent at Amazon ($9) Jump to Review Best for Mosquitos: Natrapel Picaridin Tick & Insect Repellent Eco-Spray at Amazon ($22) Jump to Review Best for Ticks: OFF! Sportsmen Deep Woods Insect Repellent 3 (30% DEET) at Amazon ($21) Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks We Also Tested How We Tested What to Look for FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall Off! Active Insect Repellent I Amazon View On Walmart $7 View On Home Depot $8 View On CVS $11 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Coverage 5/5 Value 5/5 Smell 5/5 Ease of Use 5/5 Pros Sweat resistant Up to 5 hours of protection Pleasant, light scent Cons Bottle size is small We think this bug spray offers the most well-rounded option on the market. It provides up to five hours of protection, and we didn’t get any bites while wearing it, even staffers who tend to get bitten. We wore it while spending lots of time around stagnant water, and it still passed the test. We love that the spray is sweat-resistant and has a light, non-chemical smell. It didn’t leave behind any white residue, even on darker skin tones. This product comes in an aerosol spray and a range of quantities. We tested the smallest size and felt that larger sizing could’ve been helpful, especially when you consider family needs. The active ingredient in this product is DEET, and it protects mainly against mosquitoes. If you’re looking for a bug spray to repel a variety of biting insects, Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent might be a better choice. Key Specs: Form: Aerosol spray | Size: 6, 7.5, and 9 fluid ounces | Protection Time: Up to 5 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitos | Active Ingredients: DEET 15% Verywell Health / Surfina Adams Best for Sensitive Skin EarthKind Stay Away Mosquitoes Insect Repellent Amazon View On Amazon $16 View On Earthkind.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 4.9/5 Coverage 5/5 Value 5/5 Smell 5/5 Ease of Use 5/5 Pros Up to 14 hours of protection from mosquitoes and ticks Up to 8 hours of protection from biting flies, gnats, chiggers Safe for pregnancy and children Unscented Water-resistant Cons Not waterproof or sweat-proof We tested this spray in a variety of settings, from outside play time with kids to trail running, and found was the best option for people with sensitive skin. Even people who usually find themselves to be a bug bite magnet didn’t get bitten as often as they normally would. We did get a couple bites wearing this product, but it was after a long afternoon in the sun while sweating and being around water. The spray nozzle has a wide range and provides even coverage. We love that this product is fragrance-free, making it a great option for small children, pregnant people, and anyone who has sensitive skin. As much as we love this product, we wish it was waterproof and sweatproof. We noticed it didn’t stay on long after being in the water, and bugs also seemed to be attracted sooner. Key Specs: Form: Spray | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Protection Time: 8-14 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, chiggers | Active Ingredients: Picaridin Verywell Health / Kimberly Souza Best for Kids Off! Family Care Insect Repellent II with Picaridin Amazon View On Amazon $9 View On Walmart $9 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Coverage 5/5 Value 5/5 Smell 5/5 Ease of Use 5/5 Pros Up to 8 hours protection against mosquitoes Unscented Safe for children Cons Not a very big bottle This bug spray is a great fit for the whole family due to its 5% picaridin content. It protects against mosquitoes for up to eight hours and has a fantastic track record of preventing bug bites. We didn’t sustain a single bite while wearing this product. The spray comes in an aerosol spritz that disperses quickly and evenly coats your skin. You might have to rub it in, but you won’t even notice you’re wearing it, and it doesn’t leave greasy stains all over your skin or clothes. We love that this bug spray is unscented and doesn’t have a chemical smell. If you’re looking for a product that protects against more than just mosquitoes or contains DEET, you might want to choose another one from our list, such as OFF! Active Insect Repellent I. Key Specs: Form: Spritz | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Protection Time: Up to 8 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitoes | Active Ingredients: Picaridin Verywell Health / Andrea Lavinthal Verywell Health / Andrea Lavinthal Verywell Health / Andrea Lavinthal Best without DEET Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent Amazon View On Amazon $13 View On Walmart $19 View On REI $10 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Coverage 4.5/5 Value 4/5 Smell 5/5 Ease of Use 5/5 Pros Up to 14 hours against mosquitoes and ticks Up to 8 hours against flies, gnats, and chiggers Cons Potent scent Slightly greasy If you’re looking for a product without DEET, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a longer-lasting option than this bug spray. With up to 14 hours of coverage, we didn’t get a single bug bite while outside all day in a grassy area. This repellent is white, but it soaks into your skin after a while and doesn’t leave a white cast. It does come in lotion form, so it’s similar to applying sunscreen. The lotion is unscented, although we noticed faint citrus notes very briefly during application. We love that this bug spray protects against a variety of insects including mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, and chiggers. Key Specs: Form: Lotion | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Protection Time: 8-14 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, and chiggers | Active Ingredients: Picaridin Verywell Health / Renee Scott Verywell Health / Andrea Lavinthal Verywell Health / Renee Scott Best with DEET Off! Deep Woods Insect Repellent VIII Amazon View On Amazon $4 View On Walmart $4 View On Home Depot $9 Our Ratings Effectiveness 4/5 Coverage 4.5/5 Value 4.5/5 Smell 4.5/5 Ease of Use 5/5 Pros Up to 8 hours of protection against mosquitoes Dry, non-greasy Travel size Cons Chemical scent With 25% DEET, this product is known for its protection against deep wood insects. While the spray comes out evenly and is quick to apply, it definitely has a chemical smell. We noted that our skin felt dry after the product soaked in. If you’re not a fan of greasy sprays, you might be happy about this quality. We got several bug bites while testing this product, although it was less than we would normally receive in these conditions. We did need to reapply before the 8-hour time block was up for the best coverage and protection. With its 2.5-ounce travel size, we love this option if you need a quick stash for your backpack while traveling, but it’s not the best choice if you’ll be outside for a long time with a big group. However, there is a 12-pack option available on Amazon. Key Specs: Form: Aerosol spray | Size: 2.5 fluid ounces | Protection Time: Up to 8 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitoes | Active Ingredients: DEET Verywell Health / Kelly Meehan Brown Verywell Health / Kelly Meehan Brown Best Long-Lasting Sawyer Controlled Release Insect Repellent Walmart View On Amazon $9 Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Coverage 4.6/5 Value 5/5 Smell 3/5 Ease of Use 4.2/5 Pros Up to 11 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks Doesn’t transfer to clothing Cons Potent scent Slightly greasy With 11 hours of coverage, this is our vote for long-lasting protection. We spent the whole day outside doing lawn work and gardening and didn’t get bitten. The repellent comes in a lotion form, so the application is similar to sunscreen. We were able to cover a large area with a small amount, but we felt it left a greasy layer that took a while to soak in. This product contains 20% DEET as the active ingredient, which will protect against both mosquitoes and ticks. One downside is that you can’t spray it on your clothes for extra coverage. Additionally, although the label says the lotion is unscented, we noticed an unpleasant chemical odor. Key Specs: Form: Lotion | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Protection Time: Up to 11 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks | Active Ingredients: DEET Verywell Health / Henry Yung Best for Mosquitos Natrapel Picaridin Tick & Insect Repellent Eco-Spray Amazon View On Amazon $22 View On Walmart $11 View On Westmarine.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Coverage 4/5 Value 5/5 Smell 3/5 Ease of Use 4/5 Pros Up to 12 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks Safe for children and pregnancy Cons Potent scent With 20% picaridin, this product provides protection against mosquitoes as well as ticks and other biting insects. We tested it while playing tennis outside and felt that it was effective at preventing mosquito bites. With up to 12 hours of protection, you won’t have to reapply all day to keep the bug bites away. We loved the twist-cap lock, which prevents spillage in your bag or purse. Keep in mind that a lot of spray comes out all at once, so you may end up with more than you need. Also, although the chemical smell seemed pleasant at first, we noticed a pesky headache popping up after a few hours. Key Specs: Form: Spray | Size: 6 fluid ounces | Protection Time: Up to 12 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects | Active Ingredients: Picaridin Best for Ticks OFF! Sportsmen Deep Woods Insect Repellent 3 (30% DEET) Amazon View On Amazon $21 View On Walmart $7 View On Off.com Our Ratings Effectiveness 5/5 Coverage 3.9/5 Value 4/5 Smell 3/5 Ease of Use 4/5 Pros Up to 8 hours protection against mosquitoes Cons Chemical smell Strong spray stream With 30% DEET as its active ingredient, this bug spray is the best at protecting against tick bites, particularly if you are in a grassy area where ticks are a bigger concern. The spray also protects against a variety of other insects like mosquitoes, chiggers, flies, gnats, and no-see-ums. It comes out quickly and is easy to apply, but since it tends to concentrate in one area you might need to rub it in with your hands. During our testing, we wished there was a way to cap or put a lid over the spray hole. Without a cap, we worried this product was going to leak in our bag. We also thought it had a strong chemical smell that was unpleasant to breathe in. If you’re sensitive to smells, you may want to choose another product from our list. Key Specs: Form: Aerosol spray | Size: 6, 8 fluid ounces | Protection Time: Up to 8 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, stable flies, black flies, gnats, and no-see-ums | Active Ingredients: DEET Verywell Health / Stephanie Petit Verywell Health / Stephanie Petit Verywell Health / Stephanie Petit How We Rated the Best Bug Sprays 4.8 to 5 stars: These are the best 3 we tested. We recommend them without reservation.4.5 to 4.7 stars: This one is excellent— it might have minor flaws, but we still recommend it.4.0 to 4.5 stars: We think these four are great, but others are better.3.5 to 3.9 stars: These are just average — but none on this list have this rating.3.4 and below: We don't recommend TK with this rating; you won't find any on our list. We Also Tested 3M Ultrathon Insect Repellent Aerosol (25% DEET): This product is listed at a fair price, but we didn’t feel it was effective compared to our other tested picks. Ben’s Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes (30% DEET): We love the unique delivery, but it was tough to navigate after application. We also noticed a chemical taste transferred from our hands to our food when we ate after using the wipes. How We Tested the Best Bug Sprays We consulted with the following experts to learn what to look for and avoid in a bug spray: Immo A. Hansen, Associate Professor of Biology at New Mexico State University, who specializes in molecular biology and the physiology of mosquitoes Wizzie Brown, BCE, an entomologist at Texas A&M AgriLife Jon Cole, a pest control expert of Northwoods Tick Control Based on their recommendations, we selected which products to try. We considered each bug spray’s effectiveness, coverage, ease of use, value, and smell. We shopped for a variety of options, including different active ingredients like DEET and picaridin. We also evaluated a variety of delivery types, such as aerosol spray, spritz, and lotion forms. During the testing process, we unboxed each bug spray and applied it as directed, all while documenting the process and taking notes on the texture, absorption, and scent. We re-applied throughout the day and tested each product in a variety of settings. What to Look for in a Bug Spray Active Ingredients DEET: DEET is a safe active ingredient that has been around since the 1950s. If you want to protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases or if you travel to countries where there is a risk of getting malaria or dengue, DEET is the active ingredient you want to choose, says Hansen. When addressing concerns about DEET’s safety and involvement in previous human fatalities, Hansen noted that the cases involved poor choices that are not recommended by the manufacturer. Picaridin: Many experts, including Hansen, agree that picaridin is just as effective as DEET. The EPA classified picaridin as Toxicity Category IV, due to its irritation to skin and eyes. Oil of lemon eucalyptus: The active ingredient in oil of lemon eucalyptus is PMD, which is just as effective as DEET but has a strong smell. Hansen says she is not a fan of this product due to its scent. Other essential oils: A recent paper in Scientific Reports examined clove, garlic, cinnamon, geranium, and other essential oils as bug repellents, and they were all tested at a 10% concentration. The essential oils showed efficacy for up to two hours. Keep in mind, these ingredients may irritate sensitive skin. Application Bug sprays come in a variety of applications, including aerosol spray, spritz, and lotion. Sprays are often lighter and don’t need to be rubbed in. Spritzes are a bit thicker and require you to rub them into the skin to be absorbed, similar to a lotion. In terms of active ingredients, picaridin tends to be less oily and greasy than DEET, according to Brown. Bug Protection As a general rule, Hansen says 10% concentrations will give you about 6 hours of protection. Increased concentration correlates with improved time of coverage and protection from a greater variety of bugs. Otherwise, the CDC recommends using the EPA’s search tool to find an insect repellent that contains what you need. EPA Approval Our experts recommend products that contain one of the following active ingredients approved by the EPA: DEETPicaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)IR3535Oil of lemon eucalyptus Para-menthane-diol 2-Undecanone According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s safe for pregnant people to use bug sprays that have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as long as the insect repellents are used as directed. If you’re pregnant, talk to your doctor about using bug spray before dousing yourself in it—even if it’s something more natural, like lemon eucalyptus oil. Frequently Asked Questions What’s the most powerful insect repellent? High-concentration DEET products are the most effective at repelling insects. Keep in mind that these products aren’t necessary unless you’re going to be in a buggy area or plan to visit foreign countries where insects carry diseases. Cole recommends OFF! Deep Woods for most people and products with picaridin for small children. Having spent his time in some of the worst tick habitats in the U.S., Cole explains that clothing choice also matters. You can treat socks, pants, and long sleeves with insect repellent. Cole also recommends treating clothing with Permethrin to reduce tick bites. What scent do bugs hate? Bugs tend to stay away from smoke, citronella, and notes of cloves, garlic, geranium, citrus, and eucalyptus. Alternatively, they’re often attracted to the fragrance in soaps, lotions, shampoos, and other hygiene products. Is anything better than DEET at repelling bugs? In one journal, PLOS Neglected Tropical Disease, DEET and picaridin were shown to be comparable in terms of coverage and protection against bug bites from mosquitoes carrying malaria and other viruses. Our experts agree that while DEET is the top-recommended product, picaridin has become equally recommended. Why Trust Verywell Health Caroline Thomason is a dietitian and wellness expert. As a seasoned freelance writer, she is always looking for high quality and research-backed approaches to better-for-you products. She spends time outdoors all year and uses bug spray to prevent mostly mosquitoes and ticks in her area in the hot, Virginia summers. She spoke with experts and reviewed the current research on bug sprays to prepare for this article. 2 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Luker HA, Salas KR, Esmaeili D, Holguin FO, Bendzus-Mendoza H, Hansen IA. Repellent efficacy of 20 essential oils on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and Ixodes scapularis ticks in contact-repellency assays. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):1705. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-28820-9 Van Roey K, Sokny M, Denis L, Van den Broeck N, Heng S, Siv S, Sluydts V, Sochantha T, Coosemans M, Durnez L. Field evaluation of picaridin repellents reveals differences in repellent sensitivity between Southeast Asian vectors of malaria and arboviruses. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014 Dec 18;8(12):e3326. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0003326 By Elizabeth Yuko, PhD Yuko has a doctorate in bioethics and medical ethics and is a freelance journalist based in New York. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit