Summer's Here! Protect Yourself Against Bug Bites With the Best Editor-Tested Bug Sprays (2024)

Why We Recommend It

We think this bug spray offers the most well-rounded option on the market. It provides up to five hours of protection, and we didn’t get any bites while wearing it. We wore it while spending lots of time around stagnant water, and it still passed the test.

We love that the spray is sweat-resistant and has a light, non-chemical smell. It didn’t leave behind any white residue, even on darker skin tones. This product comes in an aerosol spray and has a range of quantities.

Keep in Mind

This product's active ingredient is DEET, which 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. Also, We tested the smallest size and felt that larger sizing could’ve been helpful, especially when you consider family needs.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Aerosol spray | Size: 6, 7.5, and 9 fluid ounces | Protection Time: Up to 5 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitos | Active Ingredients: DEET 15%}

Why We Recommend It

We tested this spray in a variety of settings, from outside playtime with kids to trail running, and found it was the best option for people with sensitive skin. Even people who usually find themselves a bug bite magnet didn’t get bitten as often as they normally would. We did get a couple of bites wearing this product, but it was after a long afternoon in the sun while sweating and being around water.

The spray nozzle has a wide range and provides even coverage. We love that this product is fragrance-free, making it a great option for small children, pregnant people, and anyone who has sensitive skin.

Keep in Mind

As much as we love this product, we wish it was waterproof and sweatproof. We noticed it didn’t stay on long after being in the water, and bugs also seemed to be attracted sooner.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Spray | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Protection Time: 8-14 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, chiggers | Active Ingredients: Picaridin}

Why We Recommend It

This bug spray is a great fit for the whole family due to its 5% picaridin content. It protects against mosquitoes for up to eight hours and has a fantastic track record of preventing bug bites. We didn’t sustain a single bite while wearing this product.

The spray comes in an aerosol spritz that disperses quickly and evenly coats your skin. You might have to rub it in, but you won’t even notice you’re wearing it, and it doesn’t leave greasy stains all over your skin or clothes. We love that this bug spray is unscented and has no chemical smell.

Keep in Mind

If you’re looking for a product that protects against more than just mosquitoes or contains DEET, you might want to choose another one from our list, such as OFF! Active Insect Repellent I.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Spritz | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Protection Time: Up to 8 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitoes | Active Ingredients: Picaridin}

Why We Recommend It

If you’re looking for a product without DEET, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a longer-lasting option than this bug spray. With up to 14 hours of coverage, we didn’t get a single bug bite outside all day in a grassy area.

This repellent is white but soaks into your skin after a while and doesn’t leave a white cast. It does come in lotion form, so it’s similar to applying sunscreen. The lotion is unscented, although we briefly noticed faint citrus notes during application. We love that this bug spray protects against a variety of insects, including mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, and chiggers.

Keep in Mind

The scent is fairly potent, and it does feel slightly greasy.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Lotion | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Protection Time: 8-14 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, and chiggers | Active Ingredients: Picaridin}

Why We Recommend It

With 25% DEET, this product is known for its protection against deep wood insects. We noted that our skin felt dry after the product was soaked in. You might be happy about this quality if you’re not a fan of greasy sprays.

With its 2.5-ounce travel size, we love this option if you need a quick stash for your backpack while traveling, but it’s not the best choice if you’ll be outside for a long time with a big group. However, there is a 12-pack option available on Amazon.While testing this product, we received several bug bites, although they were less than we would normally receive in these conditions. For the best coverage and protection, we needed to reapply before the 8-hour time block was up.

Keep in Mind

While the spray comes out evenly and is quick to apply, it definitely has a chemical smell.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Aerosol spray | Size: 2.5 fluid ounces | Protection Time: Up to 8 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitoes | Active Ingredients: DEET}

Why We Recommend It

With 11 hours of coverage, this is our vote for long-lasting protection. We spent the whole day outside doing lawn work and gardening and weren’t bitten. The repellent comes in a lotion form, so the application is similar to sunscreen. This product contains 20% DEET as the active ingredient, which will protect against both mosquitoes and ticks.

Keep in Mind

One downside is that you can’t spray it on your clothes for extra coverage. Additionally, although the label says the lotion is unscented, we noticed an unpleasant chemical odor. We could cover a large area with a small amount, but we felt it left a greasy layer that took a while to soak in.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Lotion | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Protection Time: Up to 11 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks | Active Ingredients: DEET}

Why We Recommend It

With 20% picaridin, this product provides protection against mosquitoes as well as ticks and other biting insects. We tested it while playing tennis outside and felt that it was effective at preventing mosquito bites. With up to 12 hours of protection, you won’t have to reapply all day to keep the bug bites away. We loved the twist-cap lock, which prevents spillage in your bag or purse.

Keep in Mind

Keep in mind that a lot of spray comes out all at once, so you may end up with more than you need. Also, although the chemical smell seemed pleasant at first, we noticed a pesky headache popping up after a few hours.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Spray | Size: 6 fluid ounces | Protection Time: Up to 12 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects | Active Ingredients: Picaridin}

Why We Recommend It

With 30% DEET as its active ingredient, this bug spray is the best at protecting against tick bites, particularly if you are in a grassy area where ticks are a bigger concern. The spray also protects against a variety of other insects like mosquitoes, chiggers, flies, gnats, and no-see-ums. It comes out quickly and is easy to apply, but since it tends to concentrate in one area, you might need to rub it in with your hands.

Keep in Mind

During our testing, we wished there was a way to cap or put a lid over the spray hole. Without a cap, we worried this product would leak in our bag. We also thought it had a strong chemical smell that was unpleasant to breathe in. If you’re sensitive to smells, you may want to choose another product from our list.

^{Key Specs:
Form: Aerosol spray | Size: 6, 8 fluid ounces | Protection Time: Up to 8 hours | Pest Type: Mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, stable flies, black flies, gnats, and no-see-ums | Active Ingredients: DEET}

Frequently Asked Questions

• What’s the most powerful insect repellent?

  High-concentration DEET products are the most effective at repelling insects. Keep in mind that these products aren’t necessary unless you’re going to be in a buggy area or plan to visit foreign countries where insects carry diseases. Having spent his time in some of the worst tick habitats in the U.S., Jon Cole, a pest control expert of Northwoods Tick Control, explains that clothing choice also matters. You can treat socks, pants, and long sleeves with insect repellent. Cole also recommends treating clothing with Permethrin to reduce tick bites.

• What scent do bugs hate?

  Bugs tend to stay away from smoke, citronella, and notes of cloves, garlic, geranium, citrus, and eucalyptus. Alternatively, they’re often attracted to the fragrance in soaps, lotions, shampoos, and other hygiene products.

• Is anything better than DEET at repelling bugs?

  In one journal, PLOS Neglected Tropical Disease, DEET and picaridin were shown to be comparable in terms of coverage and protection against bug bites from mosquitoes carrying malaria and other viruses. Our experts agree that while DEET is the top-recommended product, picaridin has become equally recommended.