The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and the bugs are only getting more annoying. While I love getting outdoors during the summer months, I don't love all of the bugs and insects that come with the season.There are so many different brands and bottles out there advertising all kinds of different things. Do you get insect repellent with or without DEET, do you go for the natural stuff, something with a scent, and what's safe for the kids? The list goes on. Whether you're just hanging out in your backyard or you're headed out for some serious outdoor expeditions, I did some research to find out the difference in these formulas and which ones are going to actually protect you.It's important to remember, while most formulas are pretty consistent, bug sprays react differently on different bodies due to variations in skin chemistry, body heat, and individual sensitivities. So just because a repellent works great for one person, doesn't mean it will always work the same for you.Bug spray isn't the only way to reduce the flying pests from getting to you, though. We have a detailed list on more ways to prevent bugs and their bites altogether. We also have recommendations for indoor insect traps, and how to get rid of gnats in your home. We're trying to be as bug-free as possible this summer!Frequently Asked QuestionsDEET, Picaridin, and Natural—What's the difference?DEET is the most common ingredient among bug sprays that keeps insects away. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, DEET (N-Diethyl-3-Methylbenzamide) is the most effective active ingredient in an insect repellent. A 10% DEET-based repellent will typically last 90 minutes or so whereas a repellent with 30% DEET will last 5 to 6 hours. So is DEET safe for little ones to use? The American Academy of Pediatrics claims products containing up to 30% DEET are safe for children. According to the EPA, DEET essentially makes it hard for insects to even smell you and know you're there. The EPA also claims insect repellents containing DEET do not present a health concern. The ingredient is known to be incredibly helpful to ward off mosquitoes and ticks for long periods of time which may keep you from having to reapply so often.Picaridin is a synthetic ingredient derived from the piperidine compound found in black pepper plants. Although it's relatively newer compared to DEET, it's known to be just as strong at fighting off insects, but less greasy and nearly odorless. It can be used on human skin or clothing to repel mosquitoes, biting flies, ticks, fleas, and chiggers.Natural/Essential Oil Bug Sprays are the best route if you're looking for a chemical-free bug spray. They typically use plant-based ingredients like citronella, lemongrass, or eucalyptus oil scents which insects don't like and are deterred from. Although they may not always be as powerful or long-lasting as chemical sprays, they're a great option for those with sensitive skin, children, or anyone who doesn't want to use chemical products. They often also feel and smell better than chemical options as well.What smells do bugs and mosquitoes dislike the most?There are actually a lot of natural scents right around your own home that mosquitoes and bugs hate. Citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, and tea tree oil are the most common scents that will keep bugs away.Do bug sprays expire?It's not often that you'll find expiration dates on bottles of bug spray. That's because repellents made with DEET or Picaridin have a long shelf life that can sometimes last years. However, they do lose their level of strength after a while. Pay attention to how effective the formula is after a year or so to see if it's time to buy a new bottle. There's no sense in spraying yourself down with something if it's not even going to work!Why Trust Us?Here at Country Living, we spend a lot of time outdoors. And since most of us live in Alabama and around the South, we all know how irritating mosquitoes and other flying pests can be. In recent years we've tested and reviewed everything from the best bug zappers to indoor traps and the best ways to prevent mosquito bites.I'm a lifelong Southerner who spends a lot of time outdoors. I based this testing off of highly recommended bug sprays and those that came with the best ratings and reviews. I tested them throughout outdoor evenings at home in the backyard, hours of kayaking in the river, a vacation to South Carolina, and some afternoon pool days. I put products through earnest testing processes to help determine the best quality and price so readers can get the best out of their purchase.
The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and the bugs are only getting more annoying. While I love getting outdoors during the summer months, I don't love all of the bugs and insects that come with the season.
There are so many different brands and bottles out there advertising all kinds of different things. Do you get insect repellent with or without DEET, do you go for the natural stuff, something with a scent, and what's safe for the kids? The list goes on. Whether you're just hanging out in your backyard or you're headed out for some serious outdoor expeditions, I did some research to find out the difference in these formulas and which ones are going to actually protect you.
It's important to remember, while most formulas are pretty consistent, bug sprays react differently on different bodies due to variations in skin chemistry, body heat, and individual sensitivities. So just because a repellent works great for one person, doesn't mean it will always work the same for you.
Bug spray isn't the only way to reduce the flying pests from getting to you, though. We have a on more ways to prevent bugs and their bites altogether. We also have recommendations for , and in your home. We're trying to be as bug-free as possible this summer!
Best Scented Bug Spray
Wondercide DEET-Free Mosquito, Tick, and Insect Repellent, 2 Pack
amazon.com
$23.98
If you're looking for a no-fuss bug spray that hardly feels like a bug spray, this one is for you. This is my go-to spray I keep on my patio to use when I'm outside and am always impressed with how well it works. It's DEET-free and has the faintest hint of a lemongrass scent which I enjoy, but bugs don't. I'm personally hesitant to some of the DEET-free sprays but have loved the products from Wondercide.
An odorless bug spray
Coleman Skinsmart Insect Repellent
amazon.com
The Skinsmart repellent is another favorite among outdoor enthusiasts. This one is super lightweight and easily rubs into the skin, but it's also loved how odorless it is. If you're wanting a powerful bug spray that barely feels like bug spray, this might be the one for you.
Best Natural Repellent
Natural Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
amazon.com
With nearly 40,000 reviews, this DEET-free oil is praised among users for how effective it is against bugs and big mosquitos. This formula is made with oil of lemon eucalyptus, which the CDC recommends to help ward off the little critters. One reviewer said it works great for her and her daughter. "Went deep woods camping and got no chigger bites, mosquitoes, or ticks."
Most Popular Bug Spray
OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent
amazon.com
The OFF! Dry Deep Woods is one of the best of the best and kept me bug-bite-free during hours of kayaking through a marshy river. With 25% DEET, it's safe enough to use on children while still remaining a powerful bug repellent. It does feel and smell like classic bug sprays though, a little smelly and greasy at first, but I find both of those things go away within minutes of rubbing it into my skin. I think the peace of mind this spray gives me is worth it though.
Best Picaridin Spray
Picaridin Insect Repellent
amazon.com
$22.78
With the use of Picaridin, this repellent is safe to use on the whole fam. Picaridin, though still a chemical, is considered harmless and safer to use on skin than DEET. This bug spray is often found on many "Best of" lists just like this one for its reputation of being a an incredibly tough spray. So many users swear by this bug spray for how effective it is yet doesn't leave too much of a greasy feel or strong scent.
A Strong DEET Spray
Cutter Backwoods Dry Insect Repellent
amazon.com
$9.72
This DEET spray from Cutter packs a punch against pesky bugs. We used bottles of this at an outdoor wedding I was recently at where the bugs were just as present as the guests. Almost all of us walked away bite-free and I immediately bought a bottle to keep on hand for outdoor use and it hasn't let me down. However, my one con about this spray is it claims to not have a greasy feel but it definitely does feel greasy and sticky upon application. It also has a strong scent. Depending on how bad your bug bites get though, this spray can definitely be worth it.
Best for kids
Babyganics Insect Spray, 2 pack
amazon.com
Our vote for the best children's bug spray goes to this Babyganics option. You can spray your kids down without questioning what harmful chemicals you are exposing them to. One parent wrote "My daughter is highly allergic to mosquitos and we live next to a marshy area. I sprayed 2-3 spritzes of this along the bottom of her crib on the skirt and the bites stopped!"
For Serious Insects
Ben's 100 Tick and Insect Repellent
amazon.com
$21.98
Ben's bug spray is known for being a serious spray for heavy outdoor activity. If you're headed outside for any serious camping trips, long hikes, or just plan to be in areas heavily populated with insects, Ben's should help keep the big bugs away. Just know that it can be known to stain some clothes if you rub too much into your skin or happen to spill some from the bottle.
"I can't believe how well this stuff works. I live in an area that has TONS of mosquitos and I'm not bothered all by them when I use this."
Best bang for your buck
Insect Repellent Sportsman Max (Two Pack)
amazon.com
$17.99
If you're looking for something hard hitting, look no further than the Repel Max Sportsman. With 40% DEET, this stuff stands strong against mosquitos, ticks, gnats, biting flies, chiggers and fleas. With thousands of 5-star reviews, it's definitely one to keep on hand during the summer months.
Best repellent for clothes or fabric
Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent
amazon.com
$17.95
This insect repellent is specifically made for your clothes, fabric, tents, hiking gear and more. The spray uses Permethrin which bonds to fabric fibers for up to 6 weeks or through 6 washings. One user even praised it saying "Almost no mosquito bites after nine days in the jungle."
Frequently Asked Questions
DEET, Picaridin, and Natural—What's the difference?
DEET is the most common ingredient among bug sprays that keeps insects away. According to the , DEET (N-Diethyl-3-Methylbenzamide) is the most effective active ingredient in an insect repellent. A 10% DEET-based repellent will typically last 90 minutes or so whereas a repellent with 30% DEET will last 5 to 6 hours. So is DEET safe for little ones to use? The claims products containing up to 30% DEET are safe for children. , DEET essentially makes it hard for insects to even smell you and know you're there. The EPA also claims insect repellents containing DEET do not present a health concern. The ingredient is known to be incredibly helpful to ward off mosquitoes and ticks for long periods of time which may keep you from having to reapply so often.
Picaridin is a synthetic ingredient derived from the piperidine compound found in black pepper plants. Although it's relatively newer compared to DEET, it's known to be just as strong at fighting off insects, but less greasy and nearly odorless. It can be used on human skin or clothing to repel mosquitoes, biting flies, ticks, fleas, and chiggers.
Natural/Essential Oil Bug Sprays are the best route if you're looking for a chemical-free bug spray. They typically use plant-based ingredients like citronella, lemongrass, or eucalyptus oil scents which insects don't like and are deterred from. Although they may not always be as powerful or long-lasting as chemical sprays, they're a great option for those with sensitive skin, children, or anyone who doesn't want to use chemical products. They often also feel and smell better than chemical options as well.
What smells do bugs and mosquitoes dislike the most?
There are actually a lot of natural scents right around your own home that mosquitoes and bugs hate. Citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, and tea tree oil are the most common scents that will keep bugs away.
Do bug sprays expire?
It's not often that you'll find expiration dates on bottles of bug spray. That's because repellents made with DEET or Picaridin have a long shelf life that can sometimes last years. However, they do lose their level of strength after a while. Pay attention to how effective the formula is after a year or so to see if it's time to buy a new bottle. There's no sense in spraying yourself down with something if it's not even going to work!
Why Trust Us?
Here at Country Living, we spend a lot of time outdoors. And since most of us live in Alabama and around the South, we all know how irritating mosquitoes and other flying pests can be. In recent years we've tested and reviewed everything from the to and the best .
I'm a lifelong Southerner who spends a lot of time outdoors. I based this testing off of highly recommended bug sprays and those that came with the best ratings and reviews. I tested them throughout outdoor evenings at home in the backyard, hours of kayaking in the river, a vacation to South Carolina, and some afternoon pool days. I put products through earnest testing processes to help determine the best quality and price so readers can get the best out of their purchase.
