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I took the best bug sprays and repellents camping across the country from Wyoming to Maine. These are my top picks. aerosol can disposal
Bug spray can easily be forgotten when you’re camping, hiking, or even lounging in the backyard, but it’s really one of those items you should be sure to stick in your bag before every outdoor adventure.
While serving in the Peace Corps in Indonesia, I took anti-malarial medication every night for two years. When I left Indonesia, I continued to travel around the pacific and take medications. I thought since I was taking anti-malarials, I didn’t need to also apply bug spray. That was until I returned home to Chicago and started feeling tired, achy, and feverish with headaches that required me to lie down in the dark for hours. Every other day, the symptoms would disappear and I would feel fine. It took two weeks of this on-and-off pattern before I was rushed to urgent care and was quickly informed that this pattern is malaria’s calling card.
Having malaria was one of the more frightening — and certainly the most draining — experiences I’ve ever had. So now, no matter where I go, I make sure to apply bug spray (even if I’m taking an oral anti-malarial medication). Whether you’re in a malaria zone or hiking the tick-prevalent woods of the Midwest, having a safety net that prevents bug bites is absolutely essential. To determine the best bug repellents out there, I tested sprays, gels, wipes, and backyard devices for ten weeks across the U.S. from Wyoming to Maine. Here are the bug-repellents I won’t travel without.
It has two separate caps to prevent spills while traveling.
We wish the spray had a wider range so you don’t have to rub it in.
Bug-repellents with 20 percent picaridin formulas seem to have the perfect balance between effectiveness and a gentle feel. The Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent is my favorite choice for backcountry camping and backyard enjoyment alike after taking it to Wyoming, Maine, and my family home outside of Chicago. While others got bug bites sitting around a campfire, I did not have any bugs around me at all. In fact, my friend who also used this bragged that he watched a mosquito land on him and then it quickly flew away.
The bottle is designed with a simple pump that is easy to use, but I did find it necessary to rub it in; otherwise, the repellent stays in isolated areas. I love that it has two plastic caps to absolutely prevent spills while traveling (one cap goes over the pump itself while the second cap nuzzles over the pump and the top of the bottle.) I flew with this at least four times, both in checked and carry-on luggage, and it never spilled or leaked. I also like that it doesn’t have the chemical-like smell you might expect from something so effective; it just has a lightly floral scent that isn’t distracting at all.
The Details: 20 percent picaridin | 12-hour protection
It’s truly scent-free, which is perfect for use in the backcountry.
A lot of repellent comes out per spray, so be careful to avoid drips.
I love the unique squeeze-style nozzle of this insect-repellent that is easy to apply using just one finger and not too much pressure. You can also turn the bottle upside down to spray without the nozzle clogging, which is perfect for hard-to-reach areas like the backs of legs. Plus, the nozzle doesn’t leak even if it ends up falling upside down in your bag or pack. The Ranger Ready formula is designed to protect against mosquitoes and ticks, yet is made with the more gentle picaridin as opposed to DEET.
The Details: 20 percent picaridin | 12-hour protection
The spreadable gel ensures you’ll get all of your corners.
It can be a bit goopy, so you should wash your hands after application.
Off! is a household name when it comes to bug repellents, and for good reason. Whether you prefer a gel or fragrance-free spray, a repellent designed for backcountry use or to protect your kids in the backyard, there’s an Off! product for you. I tested five different Off! sprays for over two months. While they were all effective, the Off! Clear Gel Insect Repellent was my favorite for its unique design. Sometimes, you don’t want to rely on sprays to protect yourselves from bugs and insects, and this repellent offers the full protection of traditional bug spray in a spreadable gel. Think of it like a sunscreen lotion: you spread it on to be a bit more sure that you’ve gotten it over every bit of exposed skin.
The Details: 20 percent picaridin | 8-hour protection
The wipes fit into fanny packs, purses, and even pant pockets for easy access.
You will need to pack them out if you are camping or hiking.
I became quite obsessed with these wipes throughout my two-month test. While I also enjoyed the Murphy’s Natural Spray, I found these wipes to be just as effective, yet perfect for every situation. These wipes lived in my purse all summer, and I even brought them to an outdoor wedding in Wisconsin where I passed them out to other guests as needed. They were the perfect solution as we didn’t have to worry about spray getting onto food or bothering other guests.
Made with lemongrass oil, rosemary oil, cedarwood oil, peppermint oil, and citronella oil, this is a light and effective solution, and the wipes help ensure you don’t miss a spot. For daily use, special occasions, and for those with children, these are my new go-to bug repellent.
The Details: 2.3 percent lemongrass oil, 2.1 percent rosemary oil, 1.4 percent cedarwood oil, 1.4 percent peppermint oil, and 0.2 percent citronella oil
With a formula that is more than 98 percent DEET, this is one of the most effective bug sprays out there.
Be sure not to get DEET on your clothes or camping gear as it may stain, and do not spray directly onto your face.
DEET is an EPA-approved ingredient and some campers think it is absolutely essential to go out using DEET-based bug spray. In fact, Ben’s Tick and Insect Repellent is the variety that Peace Corps Indonesia’s Safety and Security Team provided to volunteers for the entire two years I served. Still, DEET can stain fabric. You should also be sure to spray it onto your hands and then rub onto your face to avoid inhaling too much or getting it in your eyes.
While camping, I do love the small design of the Ben’s Tick and Insect Repellent bottle as it fits in my pack’s hip belt pockets and even hiking pants pockets for quick and easy access. Since it’s so effective, you also don’t have to reapply as often, which conserves the spray.
The Details: 98.11 percent DEET | 10-hour protection
It comes in a pack of three, which is great for sharing with family.
It can’t be sprayed upside down or sideways, making it tricky to get hard-to-reach areas.
This Natrapel repellent goes on quite light with a small spray that doesn’t drip, but still provides plenty of coverage for the whole family — including pets! It comes in an aerosol can or push spray bottle, depending on your needs. I will note that the push spray bottle can’t be used upside down. This 20 percent picaridin formula protects against ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects and has a fresh scent that doesn’t overpower your senses. The push spray design is also compact and TSA-compliant, so you can pack this in your carry-on bag.
The Details: 20 percent picaridin | 12-hour protection
It protects a whole group within a 20-foot radius.
The initial purchase comes with only two repellent refills; you’ll have to purchase extras separately.
My family absolutely loved this little device. It takes up a very small amount of space on picnic or patio tables and can be used around food without worrying about bug spray particles getting into your drinks and snacks. The Thermacell device uses repellent refills made with metofluthrin, a non-toxic insecticide, and each refill can be used for up to 12 hours (though the device itself needs to be recharged after 5.5 hours.)
We found this to be a great option to use in the backyard to enjoy summer nights as you don’t have to put any sprays on your body, but you are still protected from mosquitoes and other insects. Plus, the device is light enough that I can pop it into a backpack or tote to bring to friends' houses or even camping with big groups.
The Details: 5.5 percent Metofluthrin | 12-hour protection | 5.5-hour battery life
The protection time is not specified, but the brand does recommend reapplying hourly.
While picaridin and DEET-based bug repellents are perfectly safe, some still prefer more natural products, especially for use on children or near food. The Wondercide Cedarwood Insect Repellent is the perfect choice for an essential oil spray as it is effective and doesn’t have any strong smells compared to other essential oil sprays. The bottle is easy to use and doesn’t leak when packed. However, since it’s oil-based, it can be quite drippy when you spray it on. It’s best to rub it in to avoid getting oil on your clothing.
The Details: 5.7 percent cedarwood oil, 2.2 percent sodium lauryl sulfate, and 0.1 percent sesame oil
We tested 18 different types of bug repellents from at-home devices to gels and sprays. While many of them offered hours of protection, there were some features that we liked but didn’t love.
Off! Deep Woods Insect Repellent V Aerosol: Made with 25 percent DEET, this is quite effective and a good choice for camping. It has a wide application but is quite wet, which makes it prone to spills. So you'll definitely want to rub it in to avoid it getting on your clothing.
Stem For Your Skin Mosquito + Tick Repellent: While this spray has a light formula that doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky or greasy, it has a light lemon smell despite being advertised as scent-free
Off! Clean Feel Insect Repellent II Spritz: This spray is just as effective as other Off! products, but it’s very drippy and needs to be rubbed in after application.
Wholesome Hippy Skeeter Spray: I love a natural product, but this plant-based spray does come with a higher price tag and an off-white formula that can leave a white-cast on skin.
Murphy's Naturals Mosquito Repellent Incense Cones: Mosquito-repelling incense is such a great choice for backyard use to get a certain ambiance and, while this was a fun choice for short increments, each cone only lasts about 15 minutes. You would have to use quite a lot of them for a whole evening outside.
Over a period of ten weeks, I used each bug repellent on camping trips, hiking trips, and backyards across the country. Upon first receiving each repellent, I accessed the product itself; for sprays, that meant shaking the bottles to watch for drips, testing the squeeze or push spray to see how easy it is to use, and even spraying the product to access the smell. I packed each product in both checked and carry-on luggage for air travels to Wyoming, Illinois, and Massachusetts as well as road trips around Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Maine to see how each product would hold up during transit (and I am happy to report only minor spills across the board!)
While camping and hiking, I followed manufacturer instructions for applying each product, testing each spray on one arm and one leg while leaving the other arm and leg repellent-free. After one hour, I examine each arm to determine if I had any bug bites and how many. I left the repellents on for the amount of time the product specified without reapplying, and then re-examined to determine how long I remained bug bite-free. Only products that fully protected or left me with only 1-2 bug bites for an extended period of time made our final list of recommendations.
If you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, it may be worth it to invest in a bug-repelling device, candle, or incense to avoid each guest having to spray themselves. However, if you are camping or hiking, you should definitely pack one or two bottles of bug spray to make sure you are fully protected. If you are in an area prone to ticks, make sure you also select a spray that offers tick-protection.
Many bug sprays stain and can leave greasy messes. Make sure that if you are flying or roadtripping, your bug repellent is fully closed with any provided caps securely on. It can also help to pack the bottle in a plastic bag or gear bag so if you do have a spill, it is contained.
Bug spray is a great option for any outdoor adventure, but those with kids, pets, or even sensitivities to smell may prefer to avoid sprays. Consider wipes, gels, or even bug-repelling devices to make sure you are still protected from bugs and insects without having to spray your body and/or getting spray on clothing.
DEET, picaridin, and natural oils like lemon and eucalyptus oil are all very common and safe ingredients found in bug repellent. Some people prefer to stay away from DEET, as it can burn when it gets in your eyes and often comes with a potent smell. However, it’s worth noting that DEET is EPA-approved and highly recommended for use over oil-based repellents when backcountry camping.
Picaridin is another great ingredient often used in bug repellent and an effective alternative if you don’t want to use DEET. I personally find that picaridin has a more gentle feel when sprayed directly on my skin.
Most bugs and insects don’t like the smell of peppermint, citronella, lavender, and eucalyptus. However, most bugs also don’t like the smell of coffee and bay leaves, so if you’re looking for a way to keep bugs out of your yard, it may not be a bad idea to sprinkle your used coffee grounds around your property.
Yes, bug spray does expire, but expiration dates are based on the active ingredient used in the spray. For example, sprays with DEET are considered to have a very long shelf life and don't technically expire, but may become less effective over time. Sprays containing Picaridin can last between three and five years. However, if you start noticing any changes in smell, appearance, or effectiveness in your bug spray, we recommend discarding it and purchasing a new one.
No, you should actively avoid putting human bug spray on dogs as it can be harmful to them. Sprays containing DEET for example, are very toxic to dogs and can cause symptoms like skin irritation, vomiting, and seizures. You should only use a pet-specific repellent on your pets, and always check with your veterinarian before doing so.
Taylor Fox is an editor at T+L specializing in outdoor gear. A lifelong camper and hiker, she used her first person experience when selecting and testing various bug-repellents. After living in Indonesia and traveling around various Pacific Islands, she developed malaria and now knows first-hand how important it is to both pack and use bug repellent.
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