But we dont think repellent lotions are the best option for general use, although they may work in your specific circumstances. In 2022 we interviewed Sonja Swiger, an associate professor in Texas A&M Universitys Department of Entomology, to get her thoughts on mosquitoes, ticks, and repellents. Youll enjoy up to six hours of bug-fighting power. At that point, the permethrin needs to dry fully before something is worn. Learn more. The reason we didnt go with a pump spray here is that none of the dry DEET formulations come in pump-spray bottles. Its the best bottle of bug spray we found after testing 23 repellents and talking to everyone from the EPA to the American Mosquito Control Association. Available dry formulas remedy this some, but another issue with DEET is that it can damage some synthetic fabrics, as well as watches, fishing line, cameras, glasses, and anything else made of plastic. Mosquitoes are persistent, so these work best when you keep one burning. Once it dries, there are really no tells that youre covered in bug repellent, other than a very slight tackiness on the skin that seems to go away within an hour. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Adding a citronella and cedar formula to the torch fuel is a brilliant way to repel even more mosquitoes. Earthkind Stay Away Mosquitoes Insect Repellent has the spittiest spray of the bottles we looked at, but it has 20% picaridin, so itll work against mosquitoes and ticks. Kids are squirmy, so getting repellent on them takes precision, as does applying spray to the neck and shoulder area. This is much harder to do with an aerosol can. But like DEET, picaridin does have a proven track record of safety. Bask in your superiority over unwanted pests. We test our picks for usability, as opposed to efficacy, because the variables of environment, physiology, and bug behavior affect performance. Most of these are based on essential oils, including cedar oil, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, and citronella oil. Sawyers two-cap design ensures it wont activate in a stuffed backpack. She also develops educational programs for various municipalities on mosquito control, among other work. but are safe to use around people and pets (when used as directed). We looked at four different permethrin sprays and preferred Sawyers due to its slightly better bottles, options for wide or narrow spray, broad availability, and variety of sizes (but the others we tried have the same reported effectiveness). Its the kind of smell we could taste in our mouths and feel in our throats. For pregnant women, the EWG recommends a picaridin concentration of 20% and a DEET concentration of no more than 20% to 30%. Support our vendetta against deer ticks and Lyme disease by not getting bitten.
If you cant find our pick, look for other brands with a 0.5% concentration of permethrin, like Ranger Ready Permethrin Spray, Bens Clothing and Gear Insect Repellent, or Coleman Gear and Clothing Insect Treatment. Sprays, like those we recommend, are more immediately effective. You dont apply permethrin directly to your skin. I highly recommend this product.. You can smell the essential oils rather than just a burning odor. IR3535 (PDF), like DEET, also affects plastics. This EPA-approved picaridin formula is safe and effective, and it comes in a bottle thats better than that of competitors at spraying evenly and accurately. Conlon explained, Studies have shown that factors contributing to potentially serious or fatal outcomes attendant to COVID-19 infection involve underlying medical issues, such as neurologic conditions that weaken [the] ability to cough or an already-stressed immune system due to concurrent infection by mosquito-borne viruses.. We think these provide solid repellency for long enough to recommendjust be mindful of the reduced coverage time. The regular Deep Woods is oily and smells pretty bad. The studies mentioned in the Journal of Travel Medicine analysis offered varying results, with the majority showing 20% picaridin effectiveness up to and beyond nine and 10 hours. Instead, this odorless spray is used to treat clothing and pieces of gear, like a tent or backpack. This one is available only in an aerosol can, which produced a dense and focused spray that we found harder to control than the others. The E55 rechargeable mosquito repeller, the latest offering in Thermacells line of insect repellent products, mimics the natural properties of chrysanthemum. Simply fill your torches and light, setting the scene while keeping uninvited guests away. DEET formulas arent our first choice because they smell bad, feel oily, and can damage plastic and synthetic fabrics, but weve heard of some people having rash reactions to picaridin repellents. Avoid times of peak sun, which means peak evaporation. Were not saying theyre totally childproof, but the added difficulty might be enough to discourage a toddlers curiosity (or buy you some time to confiscate the bottle). Price says essential oils and other natural repellents can be effective deterrents. According to this 2018 CDC report, tick-borne diseasesincluding Lyme disease, spotted fevers, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and ehrlichiosismore than doubled in the US between 2004 and 2016, and theyve occurred in new, expanded risk areas. Ranger Readys repellent has the same 20% picaridin concentration as our top pick, so it should have the same effectiveness against ticks and mosquitoes. Its much mistier, and a lot of the spray gets lost in even the slightest breeze. Each stick provides around two-and-a-half hours of mosquito protection in a 12-foot radius, working well enough to attract thousands of fans on Amazon. Sawyer recommends taking each item outside and coating it until the moisture causes the fabric to darken. Cutter Backwoods Dry, with its even aerosol spray and locking cap, is the best DEET repellent weve found. We have more thoughts on these below. The only real downside to the Sawyer picaridin repellent is that it has a slight off-smell to it when first applied. Note: If you go the bug zapper route, David Price, an entomologist for Mosquito Joe, says they only kill a small number of mosquitoes. According to the NPIC, skin irritation due to picaridin is very uncommon, and the chemical is considered practically nontoxic if inhaled. Further, the EPA has approved the chemical for use in children as young as 2 months old. It's safe to use around your kids and your pets (when used as directed, of course) both indoors and outdoors. It has the same 20% concentration of picaridin as the Sawyer repellent, so it provides the same amount of protection. In fact, according to the EPA website, this labeling is legally enforceable In other words, the label is the law., Store shelves are loaded with repellents that are not approved by the EPA. According to the labeling on the Sawyer and Proven lotions, the repellency time bumps up to 14 hours, as opposed to the 12 hours for the spray versions. Repellent lotions have two major downsides. They are shorter and thicker but burn longer (approximately two hours). Even if you live in an area with a larger-scale mosquito-control program, repellents are still a good idea. According to the CDC, DEET efficacy tends to plateau at a concentration of approximately 50%. The CDC also recommends using a DEET concentration of at least 20% to ward off ticks, implying that lower concentrations have reduced effectiveness against such hardier insects. This picaridin spray is available in a variety of sizes and scents (orange, night sky, and amber), and we like that you can bundle it with the companys 8- or 24-ounce permethrin sprays. Permethrin should be used in addition to a skin-applied repellent, not in lieu of one. But we began our search considering all options, using expert guidance to determine what mattered most when seeking a formula to recommend. In this bug spray, theres a cocktail of ingredients that work effectively If you spread garlic all over your body, youre going to get 20 minutes of repellency, then youre going to have to do it again, Conlon said. Its 25% DEET formula protects against mosquitoes and ticks for up to 10 hours, and it smells milder and feels less oily than other DEET repellents we tried. This CDC fact sheet (PDF) says to use no more than 30% DEET on a child, so Cutters formula provides long-lasting protection while still meeting that threshold. helping you reach more bugs with fewer sprays. Some companies, including Sawyer and Proven, sell repellent lotions with a 20% picaridin concentration. Let the vapors dissipate before enjoying the outdoors. Or go inside. This reduces both the waste of a tossed-out bottle and the cost of additional repellent. It is also available in a 6-ounce aerosol (twin pack), which offers a continuous spray. The very strong odor doesnt go away. Some people worry that because permethrin is an insecticide, it will harm them, but this isnt the case. Sawyers picaridin spray also has two caps, which is a big winner, especially if you have kids. This makes application on feet and shoes much easier. We found it even more unpleasant when the repellent was on our arms. contains the same deadly ratio. Now I throw a few of these in the water every couple of months, and we get very few mosquitoes. This is in no way unique: Ebola, HIV, rabies, and other viruses arent transmitted by mosquitoes either. I also have family members who have been deeply affected by Lyme. Its very similar to our Sawyer pick, but it doesnt have the range of buying options or the second cap. (On the maybe list: the flu and hepatitis C.), But even though mosquitoes and ticks are not direct vectors of the coronavirus, they can play a role in its severity. If you cant find a picaridin-based repellent, if you have a reaction to it (which weve heard anecdotally can happen), or if you simply prefer to stick with the active ingredient youve always relied on, we think the DEET-based Cutter Backwoods Dry Insect Repellent is the best option. Keep mosquitoes at bay with Murphys mosquito repellent incense sticks. The bottles trigger spray is easier to control and apply evenly than others we tried; the 12-ounce size is enough to treat two outfits (shirt, pants, socks). Daniel Adams, co-founder of the shopping and review site Cosier, says he also loves it because its durable construction protects kids or pets from getting zapped, and it eliminates insects within a one-acre area. It kills the insects within seconds of contact and literally puts an invisible wall around my house. According to the TickEncounter Resource Center permethrin fact sheet, a 140-pound person would have no adverse health effects even if exposed to 32 grams of permethrin in a day, and a bottle of clothing treatment has less than 1 gram of permethrin. I live in New Hampshire, and in the past 15 years, I have been treated for Lyme five times. As we outlined above, this chemical has the most positives and the fewest negatives of any EPA-approved repellent. This repellent is available in a variety of scents (orange, night sky, and amber). Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. neurotoxic essential oils that affect the nervous system of mosquitoes, flies, gnats, and other insects, One Amazon reviewer writes, This magic bottle is a life saver. (Natrapel Tick & Insect Repellent Eco-Spray can spray upside down, too.). And although it has an odor, its not as strong a scent compared with that of other repellents that contain DEET. I can actually sit outside and enjoy my deck now, without a single bite.. We did not test for efficacy of the individual repellents, for a few reasons. These items will meet your needs for water, nourishment, comfort, and more while you evacuate to a safe location. To prevent Lyme disease, the CDC recommends using products with 20% DEET, so these lower concentrations may not provide adequate protection against ticks. Aside from the bottles superior spray, we also like how compact and durable it is. They work much better than the other citronella sticks, writes one Amazon buyer. Theyll also kill lots of other flying insects, some of which prey on mosquitoes. Is it likely to activate when stuffed into a backpack? Does the repellent bottle have any safety features? Each item needs to be fully treated, and that means it needs a thick coat of spray. First, there are simply too many variables to consider to make any sweeping statements on repellency. Unfortunately, the spray is extremely spitty and, like other essential-oil repellents, doesnt have the EPAs extensive testing to back up its effectiveness. Its not!! The 4-ounce size is shorter and stouter than the 4-ounce bottles from other manufacturers, making it a nice fit for a backpack or a glove box. The WHO has stated this, and the CDC says something similar (and mentions ticks in its summary).
Natrapels bottle has a small viewing window along the side, but its not as easy to see how much repellent is in there. Once dried, it offers protection for up to six washings (or about six weeks). Specifically, we use geraniol and lemongrass, two Independent tests prove that a 20% concentration of picaridin can repel mosquitoes and ticks for up to 12 hours. Ranger Ready offers pump- and trigger-spray bottles in a variety of scents, as well as bulk refill bags to reduce waste (and lower your costs). Sawyer is our favorite, but any repellent with 20% picaridin should have the same effectiveness. I cant believe this actually works, writes one Amazon reviewer. He also raises sheep and has a dairy cow that he milks every morning. Then hold the spray upright, about 18 inches away from your targeted bug, and press firmly on the spray nozzle 2 to 3 times. Earthkind also sells a 0.6-ounce travel size, which is barely bigger than a credit card and would be a great grab-and-go option for a pocket or a purse. The pump spray also comes in a 24-ounce size for the biggest jobs. But if you are bitten, dont panic. Unlike the others, permethrin is meant to be used on clothing and gearthink a backpack or tentbut not directly on skin. Getting even coverage on an arm or a leg was easiest with the Sawyer repellentaerosol sprays are much harder to control and result in a lot more overspray. We dont recommend using any essential-oil bug repellents. Yes, it is. This mixture can be sprayed directly on skin, pets, or on plants to keep ticks away.
Texas A&M entomologist Sonja Swiger told us that community-wide vector control can still only control so much, so to get down to your personal space, you have to add to it.. Locking caps are a plus, prohibiting accidental sprays and providing one more barrier for a curious child to overcome. Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent was the lone oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) repellent we tested, and boy, does it smell. We also spoke with the Environmental Protection Agency to learn more about its extensive approval process for repellent chemicals. Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. Once applied, the Sawyer picaridin has minimal odor (well, theres a very slight odor if you put your nose right to your skin), and its not oily. Proven 12 Hour Mosquito + Tick Spray and Natrapel Tick & Insect Repellent are pump sprays that are wet and almost spitty at times. This second cap also guarantees that the repellent wont accidentally be set off while stuffed in a backpack or beach bag. Ranger Ready also offers bulk refill bags, which not only reduce waste by letting you reuse your existing bottle, but also give you additional repellent at a much better price per ounce. Spray it on shrubs, bushes, grassy areas and the perimeter of your yard to create barriers. We dont have a preference for either Cutters or Repels 15% repellent. The sticks are made with natural ingredients, such as citronella, rosemary and peppermint, all of which repel bugs. The US alone has over 176 species of mosquitoes, and, as Conlon has written for the AMCA, The process of a mosquito questing for a blood meal involves a complex, interconnected cascade of behaviors, each probably having its own cues, be they visual, thermal, or olfactory. In other words, the way someone smells, what theyre wearing, how much theyre sweating, and weather conditions can all affect mosquito attraction. Proven is available in both 2-and 6-ounce versions. It kills ticks by interfering with how neurons fire in the bugs little brains, causing them to spasm and die. On two of those occasions, I had to undergo a four-week course of the antibiotic doxycycline, which is awful in its own right. A single bite can be a matter of life and death, said Joe Conlon of the AMCA. So what can you do to keep flies or pesky mosquitoes away? The most important thing to look for by far is EPA approval and the presence of 0.5% permethrin; competitors such as Ranger Ready Permethrin 0.5% Clothing-Worn Repellent, Bens Clothing and Gear Insect Repellent, and Coleman Gear and Clothing Insect Treatment are also fine options. Home Outdoors Yard & Garden Structures Deck & Patio. Like the other permethrin repellents we looked at, each application provides about six washings (or six weeks, whichever comes first) of protection. Theres no question DEET repellents are effectivein decades of testing since the 1940s, DEET has become, in Conlons words, the standard by which all other repellents are judged. But DEET is not any more effective than picaridin, and our firsthand tests confirmed its well-known drawbacks: Its smellier and oilier, and can damage plastics and synthetic fabrics. What studies have been done have found no connection between picaridin use and any neurotoxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or anything like that, Conlon told us.
Thats the Tiki Bitefighter. The worst ones are spitty and messy, and can overspray or puddle up. This map of West Nile cases in 2020 (PDF) shows infections in 40 states. Permethrin is not applied like a regular repellent. But Cutters dry formula means its not as oily as regular DEET spray. I really like that these dont hurt our fish or frogs or anything else.. While researching this guide, we spoke with Joe Conlon, then the technical adviser of the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA). The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research and advocacy organization focused on environmental and health issues, also offers detailed, well-supported research on repellent chemicals, which we reviewed. Is the spray nice and even? If Sawyers repellent is not available, well happily reach for Ranger Ready Picaridin 20% Tick + Insect Repellent. Cutter will kill mosquitoes and other flying insects, including flies, gnats and wasps, and prevent them from returning. We also evaluated a number of products containing permethrin, which is particularly useful against ticks (and EPA approved). Spray a perimeter around your deck, patio or yard; it protects an 8-ft. x 10-ft. x 15-ft. area. Ive got a small pond, and until I started using these we had a terrible mosquito problem, writes one verified Amazon reviewer. We also relied on the National Pesticide Information Center, a joint effort by Oregon State University and the EPA. If you still use a DEET-based repellent, this will likely be a very different experience for you. Subscribe now for unlimited access. Cutter Backwoods Tick Defense Insect Repellent and Repel Tick Defense each have a 15% picaridin concentration, versus our picks 20%. Cutter is a 25% DEET formula, which the EPA-approved label says provides up to 10 hours of protection, but a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine concluded that a 23.8% DEET product had a mean protection time closer to five hours. As the EWG notes, IR3535, like DEET, may damage plastics. Is garlic repellent? For clothing and gear (but not skin), Sawyers permethrin repellent is as effective as similar formulas at repelling ticks and mosquitoes, and its trigger spray is easier to control. Most of our recommendations use a 20% concentration of picaridin, which offers long-lasting repellency for ticks and mosquitoes with none of DEETs downsides. It is important to know that permethrin is toxic to cats. Sawyers repellent is widely available in a variety of sizessmaller ones for the backpack, plus a larger size to keep by the front door. No, it isnt. Joe Conlon, technical adviser of the American Mosquito Control Association, Because they are classified as pesticides, the EPA approves for use not only all repellent chemicals but also every product that includes those chemicals. If it doesnt have an EPA registration, then it hasnt been proven, Texas A&Ms Swiger told us. (Thats more like shaking a can of whipped cream.). Heres the best gear for killing flies and other common household pests. DEET formulas work and are widely available, but they arent more effective than picaridin (they tend to smell bad and feel oily, too). We looked at both pump sprays and aerosols. This insecticide uses plant-derived active ingredients to fight nature with nature. Its pump spray is less likely than aerosol competitors to overspray or leave a puddle on your skin, and its secure, two-capped design prevents accidental leaks inside a backpack or other bag. Her work has been featured in Artful Living, Midwest Home, Star Tribune, and Teen Vogue, among many others. Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent, Ranger Ready Picaridin 20% Tick + Insect Repellent, Sawyer Products Permethrin Fabric Treatment, For clothing and gear, and tick protection, Coleman Gear and Clothing Insect Treatment, Our pick: Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent, Runner-up: Ranger Ready Picaridin 20% Tick + Insect Repellent, Also great: Cutter Backwoods Dry Insect Repellent, Also great: Sawyer Products Permethrin Fabric Treatment, Repellent lotions: Cons and a couple pros, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, This map of West Nile cases in 2020 (PDF), The Best Mosquito Control Gear for Your Patio or Yard, essential oils make terrible bug repellents. Compared with the other picaridin-based repellents we looked at, the Sawyer pump spray applies repellent the most evenly, with the least amount of overspray. We found it harder to use than the pump spray, but it offers the same protection, if the pump spray is out of stock or if you simply prefer the aerosol format. Is it a good repellent? How large of an area you want to cover?
We also like its compact bottle design and double cap.