DEET- and Picaridin-based insect repellent sprays and lotions (bug dope) are available from a wide range of brands and in various form factors. How effective are they at repelling mosquitoes and ticks? What are the best concentrations to get? Which ones are the safest to use for children and pregnant women? Can insect repellents damage clothing and gear? Are lotions and wipes more effective than pump sprays or aerosol cans? Are there any natural products that have also proven effective at repelling mosquitoes and ticks?

Insect Repellents: Key Takeaways

• DEET and Picaridin insect repellents are more effective and longer-lasting than most natural insect repellents and oils
• 20% and 30% concentrations are just as effective as 100% but may need to be applied more often
• Repel Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), a natural insect repellent, is also quite effective in a 30% concentration. Other natural products are not effective.
• Insect repellents are best used in conjunction with protective clothing. Wear a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, and a head net when insects are most active.
• Apply Permethrin to clothing or purchase Insect Shield-treated clothing, which repels insects and helps prevent them from biting through clothing.
• Wrist bands, clip-on fans, citronella candles, and natural repellents like lemongrass, cinnamon, cedar, clove, rosemary, or spearmint don’t work very well.
• Read insect repellent instructions carefully and apply them as directed. Many questions are answered by reading product directions or manufacturers’ safety sheets, found online.

Insect Repellents: In-depth

DEET

DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is found in Ben’s 100 Max Formula Insect Repellent (95%) and Repel 100 Insect Repellent Spray (98%). In use since 1946, it’s the most widely used insect repellent today, and highly effective against mosquitoes and ticks. The smell of DEET is highly offensive to mosquitoes, who avoid the scent.

Studies have found that 20%-30% DEET concentrations are just as effective as the 100% concentrations listed above but require more frequent application. DEET with a 100% concentration can last up to 12 hours, while 30% DEET concentrations last up to 6 hours before requiring reapplication.

• Ben’s 30% ECO DEET Spray
• Deep Woods Off! 25% DEET Spray Aerosol

A 30% DEET concentration is also available in slow-release lotions, which can last up to 12 hours before needing to be reapplied. 3M used to sell a product called Ultrathon, which was very popular for overseas use, but appears to have stopped making it.

One of the downsides of DEET-based insect repellents is that they can fog plastic lenses on watch faces, smartphones, and glasses. It also dissolves synthetic-based clothing, so be very careful when applying it to keep it away from plastic and clothes you care about.

30% DEET concentrations are safe for use by pregnant women and young children. When applying DEET to children, don’t let them apply it themselves. Instead, spray it or rub it on your hands before rubbing it on exposed skin. Do not apply near the eyes and mouth, and apply sparingly around the ears. Avoid applying DEET to their hands because children frequently put their hands in their mouths and eyes. Only apply to exposed skin, not under clothing. Avoid using DEET near food and water. Wash with soap and water at the end of the day.

Picaridin

Picaridin became available in the United States in 2005 and is a synthetic compound structurally related to black pepper. It repels mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, sand flies, gnats, chiggers, and midges. It is widely used in Europe and is recommended by the World Health Organization for malaria prevention in 40 countries.

• Sawyer Premium 20% Picaridin Lotion 
• Natrapel 20% Picaridin Tick and Insect Repellent, Pump
• Natrapel 20% Picaridin Tick and Insect Repellent Wipes

The most effective concentration of Picaridin is 20%, and it will last 8-12 hours before repeat application is required. Lower concentrations, sometimes found in wipes, are only moderately less effective.

Unlike DEET, Picaridin is safe to use around plastics, synthetic apparel, and gear with synthetic coatings such as fishing lines, sunglasses, watches, GPS units, or phone screens.

Picaridin is considered to be safe for children as young as 2 months of age and pregnant women. Contact with the eyes and mouth should be avoided, however, and the usage directions followed carefully.

Lotions, Wipes, Aerosols, and Pumps

Insect Repellent lotions last considerably longer than sprays of comparable DEET or Picaridin concentrations because the repellent is rubbed into the skin, delaying evaporation. It’s also far more accurate than applying insect repellent with a spray or pump because it’s easy to accidentally miss areas. Wipes also provide an effective way to apply insect repellent to the skin, but result in additional waste, which must be disposed of after use.

Spray-on and pump sprays containing DEET are also harder to direct accurately and can ruin plastic gear or synthetic garments if they are accidentally applied to them. If you accidentally apply DEET to gear and clothing, immediately rinse it off with plenty of water to prevent damage.

Natural Insect Repellents

Research studies by the Centers for Disease Control, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Consumers Union have shown that Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) is the only effective natural insect repellent proven effective against mosquitoes and ticks. It’s important not to confuse this product with Lemon Eucalyptus Oil, which is a very different product.

OLE, available as Repel Lemon Eucalyptus, is effective for up to 6 hours in a 30% concentration. However, OLE has not been well tested in children, and the CDC and Consumer Union advise against using it in children under 3 years of age.  Natural insect repellents, including citronella, spearmint, clove, lemongrass, and other botanicals, have not proven effective against mosquitoes and ticks.

What’s your preferred insect repellent for mosquitoes and ticks?

SectionHiker never accepts payment for gear reviews or editorial coverage. When you buy through affiliate links on our site, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Help us continue to test and write unsponsored and independent gear reviews, hiking and backpacking FAQs, and free hiking guides.