Best Insect Repellents to Keep Bugs at Bay 2024

In America alone, there are an estimated 476,000 people diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year, all spread by just one creature: The deer tick. Add in the diseases that can be spread by fleas, mosquitoes, and other insects — diseases including West Nile Virus, malaria, and other maladies that can be dangerous and even fatal — and one thing becomes clear: if you’re going to be spending time outside, especially during the warmer months, you need to wear insect repellent.

Often called bug spray (though this is a misnomer in many cases, as insect repellents are often lotions or balms), insect repellent can be a highly effective way to ward off biting pests. But you need to choose the best insect repellent, like our top choice, Sawyer’s Picaridin Insect Repellent, for the specifics of your situation. These vary based on location and weather, the clothing you are wearing, and the types of insects you need to repel. We did the research, talked to the experts including dermatologists and exterminators, and thought back on years of personal experience in choosing the best highly effective insect repellents.

Continue reading to learn more about the best insect repellents, written by Steven John.