Learn more. Reliable bug spray is invaluable when on a camping trip or hanging out in your backyard. While general mosquito repellents will keep the little biters away, bug repellent deters ticks, chiggers, mosquitos, and other bugs — along with the diseases they may carry. The most effective kind of bug spray is one with DEET diethyltoluamide , which decades of research proves is the best for protecting humans from these bugs. However, DEET is toxic to aquatic creatures like fish and breaks down synthetic clothing or treated fibers , meaning it can de-waterproof your favorite rain coat or cause your hiking tank to wear out sooner.
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. A note to parents for bug spray for kids: The nonprofit Environmental Working Group EWG does not recommend using any bug spray on children under 6 months old. It does suggests treating clothes with permethrin. After a child reaches 6 months, picaridin is the safest choice as the best bug spray for kids. Cons: Shouldn't use in the water, destroys clothing, smells terrible, and makes you horribly sick if accidentally ingested.
The classic bug repellent we all used as kids, OFF! That's largely thanks to the DEET included. However, DEET is toxic to aquatic animals, so this bug spray is best when you're camping or in the backyard and won't be swimming. This OFF! What's more, DEET is destructive to synthetic fibers so avoid spraying on anything other than a natural fiber, like cotton. The active ingredient in this spray is Picaridin, which has less side effects than DEET though is still toxic to the ecosystem and is much safer as a bug spray for kids, according to the EWG.
The brand says one application of the spray should protect you for up to 12 hours against mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, sand flies, gnats, chiggers, and midges. Cons: Evaporates from skin within 15 minutes, kills most insects that set foot on it.
Many bugs come with diseases, in particular Lyme Disease in ticks. That's why it's sometimes crucial to not just repel the bugs, but actually kill them. Permethrin, which is what doctors prescribe to patients with lice and scabies, is an odorless solution that works wonders against most any creepy crawly thing this planet might toss at you. The only downside is it does not stay on your skin for much longer than 15 minutes. However, it lasts much longer if sprayed on your clothes, which also helps deter creepy crawlies from coming for a ride home with you.
Sawyer Premium Permethrin is also ideal for hunters and anglers since it's completely scent-free so it won't deter animals or fish. It's also ideal for campers to spray down their tent hammock, sleeping bags, and any other fabrics to keep disease-riddled bugs off. If you're looking for a natural bug repellent as an alternative to DEET, permethrin, or picaridin, you want oil of lemon eucalyptus, which is different from lemon eucalyptus oil because it contains an extracted chemical called PMD.
PMD has been shown to be an effective insect repellent for most bugs but not ticks. What's more, it's definitely the best-smelling bug spray on our list. However, as with all-natural bug sprays, it's not as effective as DEET or picaridin and it won't protect against ticks, so if you'll be in the woods or tall grass, you should use additional protection.
If you want to make your own natural bug repellent, there is a whole host of essential oils that deter blood-thirsty bugs, but, again, they probably won't do as good of a job as DEET or picaridin. For mosquitoes, thyme , lemongrass , citronella , lavender , geranium , grapefruit , and cedarwood are all popular essential oils. At least a drop combination of any of the above is best, but try to keep the concentrations on the high side.
It's probably not worth putting together more than about four at a time unless you're making a boatload of the stuff. The easiest of which involves just half a cup of water, 20 drops of eucalyptus oil, and 20 drops of lemongrass oil. Another calls for geranium , cedarwood , lavender , lemongrass , and water.
Of course, it's also a good idea to follow general precautions, like staying well-covered, spraying down all clothing and fabrics with your concoction of choice, tucking your pant legs into your socks, staying on trails when possible, and keeping clear of low-hanging branches. It's worth noting that not even DEET itself is completely bugproof, so be sure to check all your clothes, as well as your friends and family, to make sure there aren't any hangers-on.
Though it isn't a bug spray, Thermacell's E55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller is a repellent, so it certainly deserves consideration for this guide. All rights reserved. Why do we need a new repellent? Bernier said it's unknown why insects can't smell the compounds. How is the repellent applied? Tell us: How do you avoid mosquitoes? Share Tweet Email. Read This Next Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London Love them or hate them, there's no denying their growing numbers have added an explosion of color to the city's streets.
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Animals Whales eat three times more than previously thought. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. These travel-friendly wipes keep mosquitoes and ticks at bay for 12 hours and deter other biting insects for eight hours. Avoid spraying skin that will be covered by clothing and wash the product off after going back inside," Chan said. Don't be fooled by the sleek design — this fragrance-free burner delivers a serious punch. Using a discreet fuel cartridge, it provides your outdoor space with up to 15 feet of protection for up to 12 hours of use.
Available in a dozen colors, it currently holds a 4. Prefer using a natural insect repellent? This one using soothing ingredients like lemongrass oil, glycerin and purified water to repel mosquitos, gnats, black flies and other pesky bugs. Along with offering long-lasting protection, this insect repellent spray also leaves your skin feeling clean and non-greasy. Kiss your skin with a bit of lemon eucalyptus. This earth-friendly spray not only smells refreshing, but it repels mosquitos for up to six hours.
The hours right before sunset is one of the most gorgeous parts of the entire day. Before stepping out for an early outdoor dinner or leisurely walk after work, spray yourself with this bug spray that uses a unique blend of Indonesian citronella and lemongrass and clove oils.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling, watching bad reality TV and consuming copious amounts of cookie dough. IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Share this —. Follow today.
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