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Its unscented formula makes it a good pick for everyday protection against a variety of insects. It also comes in four different bottle sizes, ranging from 30+ to 230+ full-body applications. The advantage of using a lotion is that you can see exactly where you’ve applied the product. There’s also no chance of the mist being carried away in the wind, and it’s usually easier to apply it to little ones. The downside is that you’ll have to rub the product in with your hands, while some aerosol sprays absorb nearly instantly on their own, like OFF!
Our Top Bug Sprays
We found the aerosol spray formula to be easy to apply, effective for several hours, and affordable. If you prefer a lotion, we suggest Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent. It absorbs quickly into the skin but offers the longest effective time of any product we tested—up to 14 hours. After testing multiple DEET-free insect repellents to find a formula that provides long-lasting protection from bug bites, this aerosol spray from Coleman stands out.
What to Look For in the Best Bug Spray or Insect Repellent
The EPA's recent research suggests that it's as effective against ticks as DEET, and on average, lasts longer. The EPA, CDC, and WHO all agree that it's a comparable DEET alternative. Bayer AG came up with picaridin in 1980, but it didn't start to hit shelves until 1998 around the world and 2005 in the US.
For clothing and gear, and tick protection
It claims to be just as effective as DEET against mosquitoes and offers even better protection against ticks. Formulas with IR3535, like Coleman SkinSmart DEET Free Insect Repellent Spray, have a light scent and protect against bites from mosquitos, ticks, and biting flies. Effectiveness in repelling insects is likely the top consideration for bug sprays. In order to assess this, we applied the repellent on at least five separate outdoor occasions.
Real-world scenarios varied but included neighborhood walks, hikes in the woods, camping, afternoons at a lake or beach, yard work, and time spent in the backyard. Still, if you want to avoid deet, 20 percent picaridin or 30 percent OLE are your best bets. More importantly, in our testing, all of the so-called natural repellents—products whose active ingredients are essential oils—earn dismal scores.
Best bug spray for kids: Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent
We did get a couple bites wearing this product, but it was after a long afternoon in the sun while sweating and being around water. We think this bug spray offers the most well-rounded option on the market. It provides up to five hours of protection, and we didn’t get any bites while wearing it, even staffers who tend to get bitten.
If any clothes, linens, or other textiles were exposed to bug spray, wash them thoroughly in a machine with laundry detergent and fabric softener. Pill bugs (Armadillidium vulgare), also known as woodlice or roly-polies, are segmented crustaceans often mistaken for insects. When threatened, they roll into a ball as a defense mechanism, which is where the name “pill bug” comes from. Perhaps best of all, marigolds are an easy plant to cultivate within your home since they require little maintenance and grow quickly.
Cutter Backyard Bug Control

Additionally, cover it with a tarp to keep it protected from the weather. Never use pesticides on your firewood, or you could put your family in danger from breathing the toxic fumes. One important thing you can do to keep pests out is to reduce their hiding places. Bugs and other pests like to hide under leaves and foliage, as many also eat plants, fruit, nuts, acorns, dead leaves, and practically anything organic you can think of. If you're like many of us, you probably tend to neglect the yard once in a while.
The 9 Best Bug Repellents of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
The repellent comes in a lotion form, so the application is similar to sunscreen. We were able to cover a large area with a small amount, but we felt it left a greasy layer that took a while to soak in. We got several bug bites while testing this product, although it was less than we would normally receive in these conditions. We did need to reapply before the 8-hour time block was up for the best coverage and protection. If you’re looking for a product without DEET, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a longer-lasting option than this bug spray.

It could also be that the bug spray you are using is old and has gone bad. Lavender boasts calming properties that help us drift to sleep at night, but it has the opposite effect on insects like moths and beetles. Snip a few purple stems and incorporate them into an elegant flower bouquet to ward off any unwelcome visitors. You can buy live lavander plants on FastGrowingTrees.com and other sites.
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It can be fun to experiment with a variety of different essential oils, mixed together, both for aroma and effectiveness. For more detail on DIY bug spray, see this article on how to make your own insect repellent. Sawyer Products Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent is not intended to be applied to the skin, but instead to clothing, packs, tents, and other fabrics. This provides increased protection against mosquitoes, ticks, and a wide range of other insects while hiking or camping.
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Over the years, I discovered that, for most minor to moderate pest issues, a combination of foggers and baits is all you need for home pest control. CimeXa works as a desiccant that dries out insects that come in contact with the powder. The active ingredient, silicon dioxide, sticks to the exoskeleton and dehydrates the insect. The only real downside I’ve found to Essentria IC3 is that it can have a very strong odor. While the newest formula of the product does contain substances to mitigate the strong odor, people with asthma or those sensitive to strong smells may become irritated.
You can use powdered cinnamon to accomplish the task or mix cinnamon essential oils with water to create a DIY ant spray. You can apply both directly to the ants if you see them, but you should also take the time to investigate where they are entering your home. You can then spray your mixture over the area, or leave a barrier of powdered cinnamon.
While many people like the smell of lemon eucalyptus, for example, there are those who do not. The same is true of citronella, lavender, cloves, and other natural ingredients. It is common for synthetic bug sprays to be unscented, but it’s not always the case. With literally thousands of bug sprays available, we first started by narrowing down the type. This guide focuses on products used by people when outdoors, rather than indoor bug spray, bug sprays for plants, or other insecticides. Essentria IC3 uses botanical active ingredients such as rosemary oil, peppermint oil, and geraniol.
They might also access your home through ventilation systems, windows, and crawl spaces. These bugs typically dry out and die indoors unless they shelter in high-humidity areas. For more, see how to keep plants alive for longer and peruse our list of the best places to buy indoor plants online. Over the years, you’ve kept several of my houses bug and pest-free with consistent prompt, professional service.
Have you ever wondered why you always smell bug spray, even when there’s no can in sight? Bug spray is designed to keep pests away, and that includes the bugs that carry diseases like malaria and dengue fever. While pill bugs are generally harmless to humans and pets, they are a nuisance indoors. Frequent appearances of these pests in your home may indicate a leak, high humidity, or poor drainage. Also, indoor pill bug infestations can attract other bugs, like centipedes, and damage indoor plants. Here is what you need to know about pill bugs and how to get rid of them.