8 of the Best Bug Repellants for Summer 2021

 

8 of the Best Bug Repellants for Summer 2021

What to Look for in a Repellant

When those bugs get biting in the summertime, it’s wise to wear some repellant to protect yourself. Many pests, such as mosquitos and ticks, can carry and pass a variety of very dangerous diseases, so preventing such bites can be crucial for your health. But while you’re protecting yourself from diseases, you want to be sure that you don’t trade in one risk for another: dangerous chemicals. Insect repellants come in a variety of forms and formulas which can be sprayed, applied as a lotion, or even worn like an accessory. For the best protection, it is recommended that repellants are applied directly on your skin as it puts a barrier directly on you to prevent bites, however, you want to be sure that these repellants are safe. Laura C. Harrington, an entomology professor at Cornell University highly recommends the use of, “Environmental Protection Agency-recommended repellants,” as well as repellants with “ingredients like DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus.” These ingredients, along with Para-menthane-diol (PMD) and 2-undecanone, are all supported by the CDC as both effective and safe when used as directed. The following repellants have been collected from a variety of sources that review both the safety features and effectivity of each repellant. Based on the data we acquired, we’ve created this list with the pros and cons of each repellant so that you can decide which is the best for you and your family. (**Please note – this means that the following numerical order is not a ranking order; it is merely for listing purposes and individuals can select the best repellant for themselves.)

1. Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin

This product comes in both spray and lotion form, is DEET-free, and has been found to be quite effective against a variety of insects including mosquitos and ticks. Pros: DEET-free (a pro for those who do not like DEET products), won’t ruin clothing, won’t ruin plastics, less odorous than some other repellents Cons: Has not yet been tested long-term for efficacy over DEET products, somewhat toxic to wildlife

2. Repel Plant-based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent

This spray is made of natural ingredients, is DEET-free, and, as it says in the name, is made with lemon eucalyptus which has shown to be somewhat successful at insect abatement. Pros: DEET-free (a pro for those who do not like DEET products), considered fairly good smelling, nontoxic, inexpensive Cons: Not as effective as products with DEET and Permethrin

 3. Proven Mosquito and Tick Spray

With 20% Permethrin, this repellant is shown to be very effective at repelling a variety of insects. Pros: DEET-free (a pro for those who do not like DEET products), comes in two scent options: odorless or gentle scent, comes in a transparent bottle so the user can see how much is available, EPA registered, long-lasting product (12 hours), good portable size, non-greasy Cons: Residue can be sticky and some users report that gnats are unaffected by the repellant

4. Coleman SkinSmart DEET-free Insect Repellent

This repellent is easily applied due to a wide-ranged, even spray an aerosol top (as opposed to a pump spray). The active ingredient is IR3535, which is approved by the CDC and EPA. Pros: DEET-free (a pro for those who do not like DEET products), fast drying, non-greasy/sticky, long lasting protection (8 hour) Cons: Bulky-sized can, marketed as “odorless” but does have a chemical scent to it

5. Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus

This product acts like a 3-in-1 deal, repelling bugs with Picaridin, moisturizing your skin with Vitamin E and Aloe, and providing sun protection with 30 SPF. Pros: DEET-free (a pro for those who do not like DEET products), dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, high concentration spray, long lasting (8-12 hours), comes in 4 options (travel pump spray, family-sized pump spray, aerosol, and towelettes), Cons: Not supposed to apply more than twice a day, some people find the smell unappealing  

6. Cutter Backwoods Dry

This DEET-based spray very effectively repels mosquitos and other insects for up to 10 hours and is less greasy/sticky compared to other DEET-based products. Pros: Sweat resistant, dry feel (non-greasy/sticky), long lasting (up to 10 hours), easy to spray Cons: Very abrasive smell, large and bulky can, highly toxic to ingest and must wash hands before handling any food or anything that could potentially reach a mouth (water bottles, pacifiers, tobacco products, etc.), can leave behind a light residue

 7. OFF! Family Care Insect and Mosquito Repellent

The formula of this repellent counts on 15% DEET to effectively repel a variety of insects. Pros: Non-greasy/sticky, smooth and even spray, reported by users to be highly effective, works on clothing, fast-drying Cons: Abrasive smell, can cause substantial damage if ingested or sprayed into eyes, some users report that the effects wear off quickly

 8. OFF! Botanicals Insect Repellent

This repellent is made with both p-methane-3 8-diol and comes in a small spray bottle perfect for travel (2oz or 4oz options). It is effective against mosquitos, flies, gnats, and no-see-ums.   Pros: DEET-free (a pro for those who do not like DEET products), portable, odor-free, dye-free Cons: Difficult to apply evenly, poor pump spray that often sends out jets of liquid instead of misting, short lasting results (only about 2 hours of protection)  

Citations

Prevent Mosquito Bites (2019) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/prevent-mosquito-bites.html (Accessed: July 21, 2021).