If it’s mosquitos, these sprays, lotions, and wipes—plus a don’t-laugh-it-works device—will keep the critters at bay.
Many of the places I travel to (including my backyard) have mosquitos. At best, they’re annoying (those itchy red bumps!). At worst, they’re dangerous (malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, Zika…okay, I’ll stop here).
To make it more disagreeable, I’m one of those people they really love. If there are a dozen people near me and a dozen mosquitos there, too, eleven of the critters will be biting me. (The twelfth is on her way.)
What is the best means to fend off these pests when you are on the go? Spray or lotion repellents, because they put a protective layer directly on your skin. (Note: lotions take about twenty minutes after application to become effective; sprays go to work immediately but lose their effectiveness more quickly.)
You have several decisions to make when choosing a bug repellant. Which chemical makeup is best for you: DEET, picaridin, or all-natural? Which application method do you prefer: lotion, aerosol, or pump spray? I’ve tried most of the combinations. Here are my favorites.
- Ben’s DEET Insect Repellant
100% DEET makes this pump spray the big gun I rely on when I’m somewhere a mosquito bite may result in a serious disease. (It also comes in aerosol and pump sprays in lesser concentrations and various sizes, plus individually-wrapped wipes.) All are gentle on my skin and provide up to eight hours of protection. The 30% DEET formula worked fine repelling not-as-potentially-lethal bugs.
- Sawyer Products 20% Picardian Insect Repellant
If DEET isn’t your thing, you may like this fragrance-free pump spray that repels several types of disease-carrying mosquitos and ticks. It’s formulated with 20% Picaridin, the most widely-used chemical repellent in the world outside of the United States, and one deemed as effective as DEET. I find pump sprays work better than their aerosol counterparts because you’re less likely to overspray. The pump on this one sprays bug repellant evenly and accurately, for maximum protection.
- Coleman Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellant
This oil-based spray with a cool, citrusy scent (less noticeable than similar products) gives you up to six hours of protection. At 30% concentration, oil of lemon is about as effective as DEET, and is readily absorbed, so no stickiness. Note: oil of lemon shouldn’t be used by kids under the age of three.
- Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellant
This pump spray a good choice if you’re looking for a plant-based product. The 40% formulation of naturally-derived eucalyptus doesn’t feel sticky and repels mosquitos and ticks for up to six hours. The scent (which you will either love or hate) is more lemon than chemical.
- Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus
This lotion fends off mosquitoes, gnats, deer ticks, and other pests with the help of picaridin. Its concentration isn’t as high as other products, so you’ll have to reapply, but it really does make your skin feel softer. - OFF! Family Care Picaridin
This Picaridin-based aerosol spray goes on dry. It’s easy to wipe off, too, unlike some sprays that cling like glue. - Ultrathon Insect Repellant
This splash- and sweat-resistant 34.34% DEET lotion will give you time-release protection for up to twelve hours. I use it on long mountain bike rides. - Coleman 100% DEET Insect Repellant
This spray is another 100% DEET big gun. (It’s also available in 40% and 25% DEET formulas.) Eight hours of protection, dry to the touch after application, plus it never discolored my clothes, unlike some of the oil-based formulas. And it definitely keeps the bugs away.
- OFF! Deep Woods Dry Insect Repellant
Not only does this DEET-based product (it comes in aerosol, dry aerosol, and wipes) provide powerful protection against bugs—including mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, chiggers, and gnats—the dry touch technology solves the problem of aerosol spray blasting too much on your skin, and it isn’t oily or greasy.
- Victoria Secret’s Bombshell
If you don’t like the idea of bug spray, period, try this fragrance mist. While your sweetheart may think you smell wonderful, the mosquitos won’t. Spraying yourself head-to-toe will keep the critters away for about two hours. Probably a bit much in the scent department if you keep reapplying. But if you’re looking for a fragrance that has the bonus of keeping bugs at bay, go for it. - OFF! Clip-On Fan
Don’t laugh; it works! If you don’t want to spray anything on your skin, you may like this fan that clips to your belt. It keeps the biters away by blowing air over a metofluthrin disk. (One disk lasts about 12 hours; refills are available.) It’s completely odorless and clips to your belt or waistband.
Twist’s Take: A mosquito-repellant lotion or spray with at least 30% concentration of its active ingredient will be the best at keeping the critters from bugging you.
