Best bug sprays of 2025

If you prefer to avoid aerosol sprays, Proven makes a great picaridin-based insect repellent. Picaridin It is a synthetic compound derived from piperine, a chemical compound found in the family of plants that produce black pepper. It doesn’t smell like DEET, and according to some research, picaridin does Just as effective at repelling bugs as DEET.

The picaridin stabilizer pump spray is the only one I found to be truly odorless during testing. I probably would have looked crazy to passersby if they saw me smelling my skin and clothes to catch a whiff of this stuff.

For a pump spray, it doesn’t have a bad feel – plus it’s very light and I only had to rub it in a little. Absorbs quickly. Of all the bug sprays I’ve ever used, this was the first time I’ve tried Proven, and I’ll likely buy it in the future.

For those who want to avoid chemicals altogether, Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent is a gentler way to ward off insects and their bites. I’ve tried a few different bug sprays made with lemon and eucalyptus, and Natrapel came out on top.

Devoid of the two chemicals proven to repel insects, it’s natural to think that this bug spray isn’t as effective as its counterparts containing DEET or picaridin. the Center for Disease Control and Environmental Protection Agency Learn about lemon and eucalyptus oil as an effective insect repellent. The Natrapel bottle says it provides up to six hours of protection versus eight to 12 hours in DEET and picaridin products.

Anyway, if you don’t mind applying it frequently, Natrapel spray or pump spray is a good option. Although the active ingredient is oil, this bug spray doesn’t feel as oily as you might expect. It’s a little harder to scrub off than DEET and picaridin sprays, but overall it’s not bad. Both types of bottles are easy to spray. Plus, the scent is nice (if you like lemon and eucalyptus).

I’m obsessed with Sawyer’s Permethrin Insect Repellent. I sprayed all the canvas patio furniture and the canvas covering the home gym equipment. Permethrin is an insect repellent designed for clothing and tools, and should not be used on the skin or on clothing while wearing it. Seriously, pay attention to the safety instructions.

Permethrin Aerosol creates a broad, fast, and gentle mist. I easily covered my outdoor furniture with this in just a few seconds. Pump spray is less convenient but still good.

While the bottles say the product is odorless, I did notice a slight odor while using the sprays. It smelled like spray paint but much less strong. These bottles aren’t something I’d want to travel with — they’re rather large — so I recommend spraying your gear before heading out on a camping trip or other outdoor adventure.

Sawyer’s Permethrin Spray lasts up to six weeks or through six washes.

Not a fan of sprays? Try proven picaridin lotion. Like the setting pump spray, the unscented lotion is truly odorless. The “pleasant scent” lotion smells so nice and I would have used it as a regular lotion if I didn’t know it was an insect repellent!

This formulation uses the same 20% picaridin formulation as the approved pump spray. Conveniently sized, it will be easy to travel with these bottles, and the smaller bottle is also suitable for air travel.

I personally think the lotion is better for hiking and backpacking trips because it absorbs better into the skin. I feel less likely to sweat on hot, active days.

For a highly packable insect repellent, try wet wipes. I like Ben’s 30% DEET Wipes because I know they work and are easy to take anywhere. You can easily take insect repellent wipes on planes, throw a few in your daypack to weed out unexpected bugs and outfit yourself with lightweight repellents for multi-day foreign trips. On Amazon, you can get four packs of 12 wipes each.

Wipes are also great if you don’t like spraying or rubbing lotion on your skin — instead of rubbing dirt into your skin while applying the spray, these wipes clean your skin while adding bug protection. Wipes also make it easier to protect your skin while avoiding damaging your clothes. (At higher concentrations, DEET can leave marks on certain fabrics.)

Natrapel strikes again with picaridin insect repellent wipes. The formula contains 20% picaridin and is virtually odorless with up to 12 hours of protection. These wipes are a little softer than the Ben wipes above, but wipe away dirt effectively.

Like Ben’s wipes, they are very portable and can fit into any type of packaging you plan to carry. It’s a win-win all around.