6 Seriously Effective Bug Sprays, Lotions, and More

It’s a sad fact of nature: There are tons of creepy-crawlies that can spoil your time in the great outdoors. But, by arming yourself with the best bug sprays money can buy, you can dodge mosquito bites, prevent vector-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and West Nile virus, and actually enjoy your hike, park hangout, or barbecue.

There are sprays, lotions, and even wipes that can keep insects at bay—but also plenty of pretenders. To separate the products that really work from the ones full of empty promises, we spoke with experts to get a clearer idea of what makes a bug repellent truly effective and learn their top picks to bring on your next outing.

Continue reading to learn more about effective insect repellent, written by Sara Coughlin.

LAST UPDATED

November 1, 2024

Written by
Photo thumbnail Blog Author

Sara Coughlin

Explore More Content

Media Mentions

Perhaps you realized during your atmospheric Fourth of July barbecue that your porch decor was somewhat lacking, or that the bulb on your budget string lights had popped sometime during the winter. No fear!

The Spruce
Media Mentions from The Spruce

Media Mentions

This compact, affordable filter is designed for emergency situations, offering up to 100,000 gallons of clean water at a price point of just $15!

DisasterClass Podcast
Podcast

Media Mentions

The ministry equips individual households with Sawyer PointOne water filters that last 20 years.

Diana Chandler
Journalist