Best Bug Repellents In 2022

The OFF! Deep Woods Insect & Mosquito Repellent VIII is a fantastic and dependable solution for keeping the bugs away and at bay when on vacation or even relaxing on your porch on a humid summer evening. It is formulated with 25% DEET to distract and drive away mosquitoes, while it’s also effective with a variety of other bugs and insects, including ticks, gnats, and biting flies. As all of these could pass on harmful viruses, it’s essential to be safe rather than sorry.

It also offers a long-lasting protection that gives you all-day confidence and will save the need to reapply./ not only will this save you time, it also ensures the bottle will last for longer, and as it is available in a range of pack sizes, you can make sure that the whole family or group gets their own bottle to keep them safe and itch-free.

We’re staying with the brand Repel for our next best bug repellent spray which once again has been designed to deliver dependable and longterm coverage both day and night. The Repel 100 insect formulation provides active protection from bugs for up to 10 hours and is presented in an easy to use 4-ounce pump spray. Formulated for more severe conditions, this is one for the intrepid travels and explorers among you who love to spend time outdoors. Unlike the natural formula of the plant-based lemon eucalyptus Repel product we highlighted as our best choice, this contains DEET which is why it performs so well. If you’re entering a heavily infested area, this is the kind of solid protection that your skin will need.

Suitable for use of course on the body, this spray is also effective when used o your clothing, tent, backpacks, and shoes as an additional means to deterring ticks, gnats, midges, biting fleas and mosquitoes. It’s proven to help repel mosquitoes which may be transmitting  Zika, Dengue, West Nile and Chikungunya viruses. Due to the strength of the formulation, over application is not recommended, and you should never allow children to handle this product directly. For tough conditions, Repel 100 has you covered.

The Repel Insect Repellent Sportsmen Max Formula Spray Pump is an excellent choice for everyday use that will keep any exposed skin (and even non-exposed skin) free from insect bites wherever you are. It boasts a formula that uses 40% DEET to provide adequate protection without being too much, but is still enough to distract and redirect mosquitoes as far away from you as possible.

With it, you can enjoy up to 8 hours of continuous protection, which is perfect for day hikes through the wilderness as well as casual and lazy days by the lake where it’s too easy to doze off just as the bugs wake up for their evening meal. The easy pump spray application will repel a wide range of virus-carrying bugs such as ticks and gnats, while also being resistant to mosquitoes that might carry Zika or Dengue depending on where you are in the world.

Not all bug repellents are ideal for everybody, but to make sure that anyone with bug spray sensitivity or allergies can remain safe while out and about, the California Baby Plant-Based Natural Bug Repellent Spray is just what you need. Rather than rely on chemicals like DEET and other repellent ingredients, this relies on totally all-natural formula that guarantees safety while still offering the protection your child needs from bug bites.

It acts as a fast-absorbing repellent spray that won’t cling to skin and instead starts working immediately to provide instant protection. The spray design ensures full-body protection, so that nowhere gets left out, while the 6.5 fluid ounce bottle means there is enough for assured protection for the entire vacation and beyond. Aside from bare skin, it also repels bugs from the clothes so you have further peace of mind that they won’t come near you or your child.

Murphy’s Natural Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent comes complete with a vast range of benefits that will provide vital viral protection from anyone sensitive to standard bug repellent sprays. The non-DEET formula is fiercely effective and rather than harsh chemicals that come with powerful odors and potential irritation, you can trust the natural ingredients, including Lemon Eucalyptus Oil and Deionized water to provide lasting protection in bug-heavy environments.

You can expect as much as six hours of protection, which is ideal for late-night events where bugs are usually at their most populated. However, it’s also ideal for jungles, rainforests, and even beaches with sand flies that are often forgotten about when considering where you need to apply bug spray.

Our first best bug repellent is from Repel and its a natural option that can provide up to six hours of protection from marauding mosquitoes! It’s DEET-free, preferring instead to use a plant-based formula of lemon and eucalyptus to naturally repel insects. With a pump dispenser spray top, it’s easy to use and administer and comfortable to wear against the skin. It’s ideal for all the family to use (over the ages of three) and has a cool and refreshing scent that’s not at all over-powering but still does its job of repelling those bugs.

Repel Plant Based Lemon Eucalyptus Bug Repellent creates an effective barrier against mosquitoes that carry diseases such as Zika, Dengue, West Nile, and Chikungunya. The formula is non-greasy so skin won’t feel sticky on the application, and the overall smell is almost herbal, and while it is noticeable, it’s certainly not unpleasant. Designed to give dependable coverage, it’s ideal for those travelers among you who love nothing better than to head off the beaten track and spend your vacation exploring a jungle trail rather than sitting by the pool. If it’s a DEET alternative that you’re specifically looking for, then this Repel plant-based spray is an excellent choice. Make sure you also check our guide to the best mosquito nets.

You don’t need to be headed to the tropics or headed off on a jungle expedition to be at the mercy of hungry bugs and mosquitoes. If you and your family love spending time outdoors in the summer months, by a lake, exploring the local woods or hanging out by a campfire, then chances are that you will come into contact with all manner of insects, hungry for their next human meal! Cutter insect repellents have been producing products now for over 50 years, so they are a brand you can trust, and they offer a wide range of dependable formulations. This is their Skinsations insect repellent, which is easy to apply and features a light and clean, refreshing scent. It has an active 7% DEET formula which is excellent at repelling mosquitoes, including those that might be transmitting the Zika, Dengue, West Nile and Chikungunya viruses.

With extracts of Aloe along with Vitamin E, the Skinsations insect repellent hydrates and moisturizes the skin while at the same time providing protection from flies, gnats, ticks, and fleas. With a convenient 360 degree pump action spray, you can use at any angle to ensure that no nooks and crannies get left unprotected. The formulation never feels greasy, sticky or oily against the skin and it’s also suitable for use on backpacking backpacks and tents, as well as shoes and other clothing.  Since the active amount of DEET is below 30%, this product is safe and suitable for use on children aged 2 months and older. 

Conveniently combining a sunscreen with an insect repellent, Avon’s Skin So Soft is a DEET free formulation which features the moisturizing properties of aloe and Vitamin E. It’s no greasy and suitable for all the family and comes with a gentle breeze scent which is refreshing and not at all overpowering. The one issue we do have is that typically sunscreens should be applied liberally as well as frequently whereas the same is not true of an insect repellent. However, this SPF30 lotion is also waterproof, so it should last, and it’s also hypoallergenic too.

The active incorporated in this product is the less common IR3535 however, this is still effective at protecting against mosquitoes, which may carry and transmit the Zika virus. It’s also effective against deer ticks, sand files and also pesky biting midges. For day time protection from both the sun and bugs, this is a multi-tasking product that’s easy to throw into your beach bag. 

Next up in our best bug repellent spray review, we have a product from OFF! which has been designed for use by all the family. Family Care Smooth & Dry is ideal for use in all kinds of outdoor occasions where you and your family are likely to come into contact with bugs. Whether that’s a camping trip, a visit to the beach or just relaxing in your backyard on a pleasant summer’s evening.

The active ingredient in this formulation is DEET, which works by disrupting the receptors located in a mosquito’s antennae. It can form a vapor barrier against the skin which deters mosquitoes from landing on them, so they don’t ever get a chance to go in for the kill! It can also protect your family against biting flies, chiggers, and also gnats. It’s a non-greasy, non-sticky formulation presented in an aerosol spray and is best applied in a continuous sweeping motion. It works on all kinds of surfaces, including your clothes and can actively repel mosquitoes which may be carrying harmful viruses such as Zika, Dengue, West Nile, and Chikungunya. If you and your family love to spend time outdoors, then this is a must-have purchase.

The final product we are reviewing today is a highly effective and advanced 100% DEET maximum strength bug repellent from Ben’s. Offering up to 10 hours protection, this is a serious spray for serious adventurers. Offering the highest levels of protection, it can effectively repel all manner of insects which may be carrying a host of dangerous viruses including West Nile Virus, Easter Equine Encephalitis, Lyme Disease, malaria, and other infectious diseases. Not only does it protect against pesky mosquitoes, but it can also be used to protect your family from ticks and flies, fleas and chuggers.

Ben’s 100% DEET is manufactured in the USA and was the first DEEP product in the country to be officially registered with the EPA. It’s easy to apply with a pump action dispenser and is fragrance free, so you can still enjoy the natural smells of the great outdoors rather than being overpowered by bug repellent. It’s conveniently supplied in a 3.4-ounce spray pump which can easily fit in your pocket and is TSA compliant so perfect for packing for your next adventure. If you do intend traveling to a high-density bug biting region, then this is definitely a reliable and dependable choice that will stop you being bit to high heaven. As their marketing strapline goes, “Don’t get bitten, get Ben’s.”