The best bug sprays and repellents
- Mosquitos and ticks aren’t just annoying bloodsuckers, they’re also dangerous because of the diseases they’re capable of carrying.
- To avoid getting bitten, it’s smart to pack along a proper bug spray or bug repellent while camping, hiking, backpacking, or while spending any amount of time outdoors.
- Our top pick, OFF! Deep Woods Bug Spray, is the most effective at repelling insects, according to decades of research (and our own personal use).
- For those who dislike DEET, Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin is our favorite bug spray without it.
- Bug spray isn’t always the first thing you think of when deciding what to pack for a camping or backpacking trip. Despite being often overlooked, it’s a vital addition to anyone’s pack (along with general mosquito repellents) – dealing with swarming bugs or mosquito bites is never an enjoyable way to spend time outdoors.
DEET (diethyltoluamide) remains the most popular bug spray ingredient due to its effectiveness at protecting from ticks, mosquitos, other bugs, and all the diseases they carry. Decades of research prove DEET to be the best for protecting humans from these bugs, though it is toxic to aquatic creatures like fish.
A worthwhile alternative to DEET would be picaridin and permethrin. These ingredients are less toxic but likely just as effective at repelling bugs. The scientific community is still testing these alternatives, though, so DEET remains king.
While chemical bug sprays may or may not harm you, or the flora and fauna you encounter, they’re highly toxic to many aquatic animals, can trash your clothes, and they just smell terrible. Some people are even allergic to them, too.
For anyone sensitive to DEET or other chemical bug sprays, we’ve found a few eco-friendly picks that won’t hurt you or the environment as much as other sprays. Just know that DEET and picaridin are still the most effective at repelling dangerous ticks and mosquitos.
A note to parents: The nonprofit Environmental Working Group (EWG) does not recommend using any bug spray on children under six months of age but suggests treating clothes with permethrin. After a child reaches six months, picaridin is the safest choice.
See the full article by Owen Burke on Business Insider's website here.
December 3, 2023
Business Insider
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Media Mentions
This repellent is easy to apply and effective without staining clothes.
Media Mentions
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent uses 20 percent picaridin to protect against ticks, mosquitoes, black flies, gnats, and other biting insects. It provides up to 12 hours of protection, so a little bit goes a long way.
Media Mentions
Sawyer’s 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent delivers long-lasting protection against pesky insects like mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and gnats. Formulated with 20% picaridin — an odorless, non-greasy alternative to DEET — you can count on this spray to provide up to 12 hours of protection against mosquitos and eight hours against other bugs.
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