Shoo Those Flies With These Bug-Busting Insect Repellents

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Flies, mosquitos, and ticks can dampen any outdoor excursion, especially on a hot summer day. A short hike can quickly become a swat fest when the bugs are out, and there’s nothing worse than having to shoo mosquitoes and flies away while using GPS to navigate a trail.

Thankfully, the U.S. military developed a nifty little chemical solution to handle these annoyances: insect repellent. DEET and permethrin work to camouflage your body and kill bugs on contact, so you don’t have to flail your arms around in the woods.

Whether you’re having a backyard gathering, planning a picnic, or hiking the Appalachian Trail, these insect repellents keep the bugs at bay.

Heading into the outdoors? Check our picks for the best ultralight sleeping bags, hiking shoes, and trail cams.

The Best Insect Repellents

What to Consider

DEET

DEET, short for N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, is a common active ingredient found in insect repellents. Created by the U.S. military in 1946 and introduced to consumers in 1957, DEET is the most effective way to protect against bites from bugs like mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and even parasitic worms.

The way it works is still somewhat of a mystery, but research shows that the chemical prevents insects from detecting humans and animals by emitting an unpleasant odor and causing confusion—and don’t worry about what you might’ve heard regarding the dangers of DEET. The United States Environmental Protection Agency deems DEET safe for human use, and it’s totally safe for the environment (though we don’t recommend dumping a bottle into your local pond, and always make sure to avoid your eyes).

Even though it’s safe and effective, DEET has its drawbacks. It leaves the skin feeling greasy on application and emits a pungent odor when sprayed. It’s also known to stain certain fabrics and damage synthetics and plastics, such as sunglasses, watches, and clothing made of rayon or polyester.

The percentage of DEET a product has matters when re-applying and warding off certain bugs. The state of Connecticut’s Mosquito Management Program says that concentrations should be based on the duration of protection needed. Any repellent with less than 10 percent DEET will ward away bugs for one to two hours, while 20 percent DEET will repel for two to five hours. At least 20 percent is necessary for total tick protection.

Permethrin

Permethrin is a synthetic chemical developed by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1979. It’s used as an insecticide that kills bugs on contact and as a repellent when applied to clothes. According to the EPA, it’s the only repellent used for factory clothing treatment and is best used on fabrics. It doesn’t prevent bugs from landing on you. Instead, it kills them on contact before they can bite. If you want those pesky bugs far, far away from your vicinity, stick with DEET protection.

Keep in mind that clothes and fabrics sprayed with permethrin will only repel insects over that surface area, meaning you’ll need to apply another form of repellent directly onto your skin, too.

Picaridin

A DEET alternative typically sold as a lotion, picaridin is a synthetic compound that resembles piperine, a compound found in the group of plants that produce black pepper. It doesn’t have the greasy feel or the stink of DEET, and instead of killing bugs, it repels insects and makes them less likely to bite. Picaridin also comes in wipes, sprays, and aerosols.

Where to Spray

To properly use insect repellent, spray six to eight inches away from your skin slowly and sweepingly, and avoid using DEET on synthetic fabrics and materials. Use your hands to spread the spray and ensure your body is moist and evenly applied. To protect your face, neck, and head, spray into your hands and apply.

It’s best to use repellents over top of your SPF sunscreen. Never spray over open cuts or wounds, and make sure to avoid your eyes. The EPA has full guidelines on how to safely and properly apply insect repellents.

How We Selected

To find the best insect repellents, we used a combination of personal testing and research on the best products out there. Some of our picks were field tested by Popular Mechanics Commerce Editor Kevin Cortez, a frequent hiker and outdoor enthusiast, who notes each option’s effectiveness and how each repellent feels on the skin. For products we didn’t test, we sourced user reviews to recommend sprays, candles, and other insect repellents.

Backwoods Insect Repellent (2-Pack)

With 25 percent DEET, sweat-resistant application, and an easy spray nozzle, Cutter’s Backwoods spray is one of the most reliable insect repellents out there. Its high DEET percentage means it’s strong enough to ward off ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas. Cutter claims it can give users up to 10 hours of protection.

This insect repellent is my go-to for hikes and camping. It requires the least amount of reapplying making it an excellent value—especially as a two-pack. In the last month, I’ve used it for weekend hikes, the longest of which was five hours, and I didn’t feel the need to use a liberal spray to coat my body. I’ve even used it while kayaking and found that water splashes don’t easily wash it off.

Its biggest downside is one shared with other DEET products: greasiness and staining. This stuff makes your skin feel tacky and smell of chemicals, but that’s a price worth paying for total bug protection. The staining, however, is a major turnoff, and it’s caused my watch to stain with an oily splatter.

Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent

This insect repellent is DEET-free and uses lemon and eucalyptus oils to ward off mosquitoes for up to six hours. It has a pleasant scent, a welcome change from other chemical-laden sprays, and it feels thin and light on the skin. It also won’t stain your clothes and easily washes off.

I’ve used this spray outdoors to spritz my shoes, ankles, neck, and face and found it easy to apply and less greasy than DEET. I love its scent and how thin it feels, and it’s very effective against shooing away mosquitoes.

Because it’s not as concentrated as DEET, you’ll need to reapply after sweating and exposure to moisture. It’s also intended for mosquito protection only, so we don't recommend this for ticks, fleas, or other annoying insects.

Max Formula Tick and Insect Repellent (2-Pack)

When it comes to insect protection, it doesn’t get better than 100 percent DEET. This max formula repellent from Ben’s is extremely powerful, able to fend off ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, and other pests for up to 10 hours.

Many users say it’s perfect for use in tropical and jungle environments and comes in a travel-ready bottle to get through TSA. One reviewer said this spray protected against black flies in Kenya and Tanzania.

A little goes a long way with this repellent due to its potent DEET makeup. That also makes it damaging to clothing and smelly, but it’s worth it if you’re adventuring in an area with dangerous, disease-carrying bugs like mosquitos.

20% Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion

Picaridin works just as well as DEET when it comes to deterring bugs, and with picaridin, you can protect your skin with a smooth lotion instead of a tacky spray. This insect repellent from Sawyer wards away mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, and more for up to a whopping 14 hours.

Users say it has a pleasant moisturizing feel when applied, plus its lack of odor makes it a great alternative to DEET products. One reviewer says that it’s so strong it doesn’t require evenly spreading on your body—a dab on your wrists and ankles will do the trick of protecting your arms and legs.

Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent

Spraying permethrin on your clothing and gear provides more protection than a topical repellent alone, and studies say it works for weeks on end, even after washing. You can safely use this spray on your boots, hat, and backpack to prevent pesky hitchhikers from grabbing on, or even a tent or hammock to bug-proof your campsite.

It’s also dog-safe, which helps prevent your furry friends from tracking bugs into your home. Sawyer claims the spray will bond to clothing fibers for up to 42 days of exposure to sun and air or six wash cycles—whichever comes first.

This isn’t intended for skin use, so you must use it with a DEET spray or permethrin lotion. It also sprays onto fabrics with a pungent stench, though once dry, it’s completely odorless.

E55 E-Series Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller

Nobody wants to wear insect repellent at home. This electronic repeller emits an odorless (to humans) scent that wards mosquitoes away for up to 20 feet. It doesn’t spray, and unlike candles, it won’t require smoke or fire. Just load it with a liquid cartridge and your vicinity will be mosquito free in 15 minutes.

This is a great option for anyone who wants to hang out on their porch or in their backyard without mosquito annoyance. It has a battery that lets it work for up to 5.5 hours before needing a recharge, and one cartridge lasts for up to 12 hours. This repeller is only for mosquitoes, though, and won’t ward against ticks or fleas.

First Saturday Lime Organic Pest Barrier

First Saturday Lime is a healthy alternative to pesticides, which can be dangerous around pets and livestock. Simply pour this repellent around your home’s base, garden, barn, or stable to repel insects and pests for up to one month. It’ll prevent ants, fleas, ticks, aphids, mosquitos, and algae from invading your space.

Several users say this works well in chicken coops, dusting into bird baths, and pouring around the grass. Although First Saturday says this product is great for mosquito control, it works best with crawling bugs.

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