International Header

NBC News: 9 Best Insect Repellents: DEET and DEET-free Bug Sprays

To help simplify your shopping, we consulted experts about what’s important to pay attention to when buying bug repellent.

NBC News: 9 Best Insect Repellents: DEET and DEET-free Bug Sprays

Last updated:
July 24, 2024
|  5 min read

NBC News: 9 Best Insect Repellents: DEET and DEET-free Bug Sprays

NBC News: 9 Best Insect Repellents: DEET and DEET-free Bug Sprays

YouTube video highlight

To help simplify your shopping, we consulted experts about what’s important to pay attention to when buying bug repellent.

Read more about the project

NBC News: 9 Best Insect Repellents: DEET and DEET-free Bug Sprays

Thumbnail Slider Image
No items found.

9 Best Insect Repellents: DEET and DEET-free Bug Sprays

During the warmer months, bug bites — like sunburns — are sometimes an unfortunate consequence of spending time outdoors. But bites from mosquitoes, ticks and other insects can be much more than just irritating or itchy — they can also carry illnesses like malaria and Lyme disease. Applying insect repellent is one preventative and protective measure to avoid getting bitten. But figuring out which ones are actually effective can be confusing, seeing as the labels are often covered with complicated ingredients and jargon like “DEET” and “all-natural.”

To help simplify your shopping, we consulted experts about what’s important to pay attention to when buying bug repellent. Using their guidance, we also rounded up highly rated products you can use to prevent bug bites.

Continue reading to learn more about the best insect repellents, written by Zoe Malin and Ambar Pardilla.

NBC News: 9 Best Insect Repellents: DEET and DEET-free Bug Sprays

9 Best Insect Repellents: DEET and DEET-free Bug Sprays

During the warmer months, bug bites — like sunburns — are sometimes an unfortunate consequence of spending time outdoors. But bites from mosquitoes, ticks and other insects can be much more than just irritating or itchy — they can also carry illnesses like malaria and Lyme disease. Applying insect repellent is one preventative and protective measure to avoid getting bitten. But figuring out which ones are actually effective can be confusing, seeing as the labels are often covered with complicated ingredients and jargon like “DEET” and “all-natural.”

To help simplify your shopping, we consulted experts about what’s important to pay attention to when buying bug repellent. Using their guidance, we also rounded up highly rated products you can use to prevent bug bites.

Continue reading to learn more about the best insect repellents, written by Zoe Malin and Ambar Pardilla.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Associate Updates Editor
Zoe Malin and Ambar Pardilla
Zoe Malin is an associate updates editor at NBC Select based in New York City, NY. Ambar Pardilla is a former reporter for Select on NBC News.
Media Mentions

NBC News: 9 Best Insect Repellents: DEET and DEET-free Bug Sprays

9 Best Insect Repellents: DEET and DEET-free Bug Sprays

During the warmer months, bug bites — like sunburns — are sometimes an unfortunate consequence of spending time outdoors. But bites from mosquitoes, ticks and other insects can be much more than just irritating or itchy — they can also carry illnesses like malaria and Lyme disease. Applying insect repellent is one preventative and protective measure to avoid getting bitten. But figuring out which ones are actually effective can be confusing, seeing as the labels are often covered with complicated ingredients and jargon like “DEET” and “all-natural.”

To help simplify your shopping, we consulted experts about what’s important to pay attention to when buying bug repellent. Using their guidance, we also rounded up highly rated products you can use to prevent bug bites.

Continue reading to learn more about the best insect repellents, written by Zoe Malin and Ambar Pardilla.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Associate Updates Editor
Zoe Malin and Ambar Pardilla
Zoe Malin is an associate updates editor at NBC Select based in New York City, NY. Ambar Pardilla is a former reporter for Select on NBC News.
Media Mentions
browse all articles
Here at Sawyer
February 3, 2026
6 Min
Treeline Review: PCT Southbound Gear List & Strategy 2026
Read More

Media Mentions

43.2% of hikers used the Sawyer Squeeze, the most common hollow membrane squeeze filter (and the most common water treatment overall).

Mac
Contributing Writer

Media Mentions

Randy Patton’s late father, Biff Patton, launched the water filter program in 2010.

Conner Beene
Writer

Media Mentions

The most significant being its positive impact on our health after using it, its capacity to reduce our expenses on water treatment and access to safe water, and the time it saves by eliminating the need for boiling or treating water.

Teburenga Geraldine Tabwebweiti
Communications and Engagement
<<  Previous Post
No previous post!
Check out our Directory
Next Post  >>
No next post!
Check out our Directory