The Bottom Line
For the best bug spray without DEET, we recommend the Wondercide Mosquito, Tick, Fly, and Insect Repellent because it can repel 98% of mosquitoes, and is available in a variety of essential oil scents including cedarwood, lemongrass, peppermint, and rosemary.
If you’re looking for a stronger bug spray to use in heavily infested areas, consider the Repel 100 Insect Repellent.
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What to Know About Bug Sprays Before Shopping
Scent
It’s important to consider scent when choosing the best bug spray, although it typically doesn’t impact the effectiveness. There are plenty of options to choose from, including scented and unscented varieties. Lemon, peppermint, and cedarwood are popular scents for natural bug sprays made of essential oils.
If you are sensitive to certain smells, you may want to consider an unscented option and avoid DEET-based bug sprays since they can have a strong chemical smell. Unscented bug sprays are also an ideal choice when hunting since certain smells can keep away other animals aside from insects.
Targeted Insects
When shopping for bug spray, pay attention to the type of insects it offers protection against since not all bug sprays are effective against all insects. Some options, like the Ranger Ready Insect Repellent with Scent Zero, can protect you from a variety of insects including mosquitoes, ticks, flies, gnats, and other pests.
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However, some are only proven effective against mosquitoes and others are targeted specifically for certain insects like bed bugs, fleas, or head lice.
Hours of Protection
The best bug sprays provide several hours of protection, but it varies based on the type of bug. This is an important feature to consider, especially if you are going camping, or hiking, or planning to be outside for long periods at a time.
Most of the options on our list can provide protection for at least two hours and some all the way up to 12 hours. The EcoVenger Bed Bug Killer can offer protection for up to two weeks. Bug sprays with strong ingredients like DEET tend to provide longer protection than those made out of less potent ingredients, like essential oils.
Your Questions, Answered
Does bug spray expire?
Most bug sprays last at least three years. It depends on the ingredients—plant-based natural bug sprays that contain essential oils typically expire sooner than those made of strong ingredients like DEET. “DEET has an infinite shelf life and theoretically won’t expire. However, the product just may not work quite as well,” Dr. Hooper says.
Expired bug spray is not harmful, it just may be less effective. “Check the label from your favorite bug spray because best-by dates will vary,” says Tracey Brooks, senior director of brand and communications at Wondercide. “Best by just means the product will work optimally if used within that time frame.”
If you are unsure how old your bug spray is, it might be a good idea to replace it.
Is bug spray safe to use?
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Yes, bug sprays are generally safe and effective. If you have really sensitive skin, you may prefer natural insect repellents made of plant-based ingredients like essential oils versus those made of DEET. Always follow the directions when using bug spray and avoid direct contact with eyes.
“Insect repellents that contain 20 to 30% DEET protect us against mosquitoes, ticks, and other bugs,” Dr. Hooper says. However, she says children 2 years and younger should not use repellents containing DEET.
Additionally, those with sensitive skin may prefer using DEET-free bug sprays. “A more pure or natural bug spray is often best for people with sensitive skin and avoiding known allergens,” Brooks says.
Dr. Hooper advises that those with particularly sensitive skin still may have a reaction to natural products. “Natural products can also cause skin irritation; however, those who are sensitive to DEET or prove to be allergic to the active ingredient in bug repellent, can use products with ‘natural’ ingredients such as lemon eucalyptus, geranium, peppermint, or citronella,” Dr. Hooper says.
“Products made of any of these ingredients have been deemed safe to use as insect repellents,” she says. “However, they have a shorter period of protection against insect bites and need to be reapplied more often.”
Who We Are
Erica Reagle is a freelance writer focusing on interior design and the home. To write this story, she spent several hours researching the best bug sprays and evaluated features like scent and hours of protection. She also gathered insights from Dr. Deirdre Hooper, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at Audubon Dermatology, and Tracey Brooks, senior director of brand and communications at Wondercide.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor
