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DEET alternatives like picaridin and permethrin are less toxic and potentially very effective as a bug repellent. However, the scientific community is still testing these alternatives. For anyone sensitive to DEET or other chemical sprays, I've found a few natural bug repellents that won't hurt you or the environment. The active ingredient in this product is DEET, and it protects mainly against mosquitoes. If you’re looking for a bug spray to repel a variety of biting insects, Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent might be a better choice. The picture gets a bit murkier when it comes to other active ingredients.
Similar stuff, different bottles
Aerosol insect repellents produce a fine mist that absorbs quickly and easily when applied to the skin. Deep Woods Insect Repellent VIII didn’t need to be rubbed in, and it left behind no visible residue. The spray application worked well and evenly applied the product, keeping us feeling comfortable on a number of outdoor occasions. While some bug repellents we tested left us feeling like we needed to wash our clothes to remove the strong chemical odor, the light odor of this product is far from overpowering. We tested this bug repellent on park outings and used it for a long day of yard work.
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Suspend SC (Great for Long Lasting Killing Power)
Bug bites aren’t just itchy and annoying—they could also pose serious health concerns. Specifically, mosquitoes can spread Zika, malaria and West Nile virus, while ticks can transmit Lyme disease, among other infections. For insects that share a nest or hiding place, baits are extremely effective. For ant and cockroach infestations, this makes baits a must-have as part of your elimination strategy.
Natrapel Picaridin Tick & Insect Repellent Eco-Spray
A single bite “can be a matter of life and death,” said Joe Conlon of the AMCA. Cripple you for life if you’re not using the right type of repellent.” Anyone spending time outdoors should think seriously about using a bug spray (or a spatial repellent) to ward off biting insects. If our top pick is not available, our next choice is Ranger Ready Picaridin 20% Tick + Insect Repellent. It has the same 20% concentration of picaridin as the Sawyer repellent, so it provides the same amount of protection. Ranger Ready comes in either a pump- or trigger-spray bottle; we like the even spread of the latter, but the bottle isn’t as compact as Sawyer’s, so it’s less travel friendly.
If you see any of these signs, stop and evaluate the best course of action. For example, you may choose to leave the plant you wanted to move inside outside or may decide that it is best to wash down the patio furniture before storing it in the basement. This will allow you to spot any critters before they actually get into your house. If you do find any creepy crawling creatures, dispose of the box in a sealed bag or bin outside of your home. Do you have tree branches growing out right up against the side of your house? If so, you may have just identified how the pesky bugs have been letting themselves into your home.
We’ve updated this guide with some new dismissals and have added Off! Clean Feel Aerosol Insect Repellent to our list of effective repellents. Another possibility is that there is a build-up of dust and dirt on the coils, which can also cause a musty smell.
If this type of classic repellent is all you can find (or if you prefer it), the best version we’ve found is Cutter Backwoods Dry Insect Repellent. Its 25% DEET formula protects against mosquitoes and ticks for up to 10 hours, and it smells milder and feels less oily than other DEET repellents we tried. Its locking cap is a design feature many other aerosol sprays lack. Most formulas will give you an estimate of how long the effect of the repellent lasts after application.
Best bug spray for kids: Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent
Other common synthetic repellents in bug sprays are picaridin and IR3535 (ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate). Both are also considered safe by regulatory authorities, though users should always follow manufacturers’ instructions when applying. We found that this insect repellent with SPF worked effectively during our time spent at the lake, while taking walks around the neighborhood, and while sitting on the porch. It provided ample protection against bug bites and also offered protection from the sun. We highly recommend this versatile product for travel, as it comes in a convenient 4-ounce bottle that easily fits in a suitcase or backpack.
Does the Product Label Match Your Problem and Intended Application Method?
It proved highly effective, resulting in only a mosquito bite or two—likely due to a missed spot during application. For best results, be sure to cover all areas of exposed skin thoroughly. Keep in mind that this insect repellent isn’t waterproof, so you’ll need to reapply if your skin gets wet. With 20% picaridin, this product provides protection against mosquitoes as well as ticks and other biting insects.
Though these ready-mixed sprays are slightly more expensive (especially pet-friendly bug sprays), they save you the hassle of mixing the insecticide to the proper concentration. The effectiveness of a bug repellent is determined by how well it protects you against bug bites and for how long. The CDC says that, in general, the higher the percentage of active ingredients in the formula, the longer you can expect the formula to prove effective. The unscented formula has no strong odor, although if we really sniffed the product up close, a very faint, sweet smell is perceptible. However, it’s nothing harsh or overpowering and certainly not enough to outweigh the other benefits of this insect repellent. Overall, if you're looking for a reliable bug repellent that feels gentle on the skin, the EarthKind StayAway Insect Repellent is a great option.
In general, you place baits in areas where it’s unsafe to use a spray. Many baits come in family- and pet-safe containers that only insects can access. The main benefit of an insecticide like this is it’s natural ingredients. Essentria IC3 can be used near waterways since it has almost no effect on aquatic organisms — unlike most synthetic pesticides. The Bifen IT label recommends spraying cracks, crevices, baseboards, and any other entry points that insects use. The product works as both an insecticide and a repellent — killing insects quickly enough that they cannot show their friends the way into your home.
Remove bed linen, and spray directly onto the hotel mattress, the bed frame, headboard, base and legs of the bed, or any dark spots that indicate the presence of bed bugs. And with deet products, an effective repellent can come in many forms. One lotion didn’t score high enough to earn our recommendation but still performed satisfactorily. We currently test repellents against only mosquitoes, but in past years we’ve found that repellents that worked well against mosquitoes also worked well against ticks. We also test whether repellents damage materials that repellents are likely to come into contact with, including the polycarbonate of eyeglass lenses, a leather belt, cotton, and polyester. Our ratings are primarily based on how long a product protected test subjects against two species of mosquitoes.
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