Best Mosquito Repellents: Picaridin, DEET, Plant-Based and Patio

The best mosquito repellent for most people is Sawyer's 20% picaridin lotion: it is odorless, non-greasy, will not damage plastics or synthetic gear, and the maker lists up to 12 hours of protection against mosquitoes. OFF! Clean Feel is the lower-cost picaridin spray, OFF! Deep Woods Dry is the 25% DEET aerosol for woods and wetlands, Murphy's Naturals is the plant-based pick with oil of lemon eucalyptus, Sawyer's permethrin treats clothing and gear, and Thermacell's E-ZoneGuard Patio Max shields a patio without anything on your skin. Whatever you buy, choose an EPA-registered active ingredient and follow the label.

How Mosquito Repellents Work

Mosquitoes find people by the carbon dioxide we breathe out, body heat and skin odor. A skin repellent puts a layer of vapor between you and that signal, so mosquitoes that come close lose interest before they land. The layer evaporates and rubs off with sweat, water and clothing, which is why every repellent has to be reapplied sooner or later.

The ingredient matters more than the brand. CDC's guidance on preventing mosquito bites recommends repellents registered with the EPA that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone. Registration means the maker has submitted data showing the product works and is safe when used as directed. CDC adds that the effectiveness of repellents that are not registered, including some natural ones, is unknown.

• Picaridin: nearly odorless, light on the skin and gentle on gear; the best everyday choice for most people.
• DEET: the most studied repellent, with long protection at 20 to 30% strength; it can damage some plastics and synthetic fabrics.
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus and PMD: plant-derived, EPA-registered actives with a strong lemony scent; not for young children.
• IR3535: mild and low-odor, found in some family and sunscreen-combination products.
• Permethrin: an insecticide for clothing, shoes and gear, not a skin repellent.

Concentration controls how long protection lasts, not how well it works. University of California IPM's pest note on mosquitoes explains that repellents usually protect for a few hours at most. Products with less than 10% active ingredient may last only one to two hours, and concentrations above 50% give no marked increase in protection time. Pick a strength that matches how long you will be outside rather than the highest number on the shelf.

Our mosquito repellent and trap guides cover the yard side of the problem, and the mosquito repellents section collects our guides for skin, clothes, kids and travel.

Mosquito Repellent Types Compared

We compared mosquito repellents on their active ingredient and strength, EPA registration, the protection time each maker lists, how they feel on skin and what buyers report about bites, scent and value. Our sources were the makers' listings, Amazon's review digests and guidance from CDC, the EPA and UC IPM; we did not test the products.

Most people need two types at most: a skin repellent for exposed arms, legs and neck, and either treated clothing for long days outdoors or an area repeller for evenings at home. The sections below follow that order, from skin products to clothing and the patio.

Best Picaridin Repellents

Picaridin is the best place to start for most households. It has almost no smell, does not feel oily, and unlike DEET it will not soften plastic watch straps, sunglasses or synthetic jackets. Our guide to the best mosquito repellents for skin compares more lotions, sprays and wipes.

Sawyer Picaridin Lotion: Best Overall Mosquito Repellent

Sawyer's 4-ounce lotion contains 20% picaridin and lists up to 12 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks and up to 8 hours against flies, gnats and chiggers, per the maker.

• It is fragrance-free, dries quickly and will not damage plastics, fishing line or synthetic coatings, per the maker.
• Buyers find it effective, nearly odorless and not greasy, and say a little goes a long way.
• Value opinions are mixed, though most buyers say they will keep buying it.

Choose it as the one bottle for the whole family's summer: evening walks, ballgames and backyard dinners. A lotion lets you cover your neck, ears and the backs of your hands precisely, without breathing in spray.

OUR CHOICE

Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent 20% Picaridin Lotion 4 oz

20% picaridinLotion

Best for: Everyday family use with no smell

• ✓Up to 12 hours against mosquitoes, per the maker
• ✓Nearly odorless and not greasy, per buyers
• ✓Will not damage plastics or synthetics, per the maker
• −Mixed value opinions, per buyers
• −Lotion is slower to apply than a spray

Editor's Note

It covers the whole family's summer. Apply a thin layer to exposed skin.

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Specifications (2)

Item Form

Lotion

Item Volume

4 fluid ounces

OFF! Clean Feel Picaridin Spray: Best Budget Mosquito Repellent

OFF! Clean Feel is a 5-ounce aerosol with 20% picaridin, fragrance-free and lightweight, made to protect against mosquitoes, flies and ticks, per the maker.

• Buyers say it works well, is not sticky or smelly and keeps mosquitoes away without bites.
• Skin reactions, spray performance and value draw mixed reviews.
• An aerosol covers arms and legs quickly, but you should spray it on your hands first for the face.

Choose it for a low-cost can by the back door or in the car. It gives the same picaridin strength as Sawyer's lotion in a faster format for quick trips outside.

BUDGET PICK

OFF! Clean Feel Picaridin Insect & Mosquito Repellent 5 oz

20% picaridinAerosol

Best for: A low-cost picaridin spray

• ✓20% picaridin, per the maker
• ✓Not sticky or smelly, per buyers
• ✓Fast coverage for arms and legs
• −Mixed skin reactions, per buyers
• −Spray performance mixed, per buyers

Editor's Note

It suits quick trips outside. Spray hands first for the face.

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Specifications (2)

Item Form

Aerosol

Item Volume

5 fluid ounces

Best DEET Repellent

DEET has the longest track record of any repellent and stays a strong choice where mosquitoes are thick and ticks are a worry. Strengths between 20 and 30% are the sweet spot for most outings; very high concentrations mostly add hours rather than stopping power.

OFF! Deep Woods Dry: Best DEET Spray for Woods and Wetlands

OFF! Deep Woods Dry comes as a 2-pack of 4-ounce aerosols with 25% DEET that goes on powder-dry rather than oily, per the maker.

• The maker lists mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats and chiggers.
• Buyers call it a great bug spray and mosquito repellent.
• Opinions on the scent are mixed; some find it strong.

Choose it for fishing trips, hunting, hikes in damp woods and evenings by a marsh or lake. Keep it off plastic lenses, watch faces and technical fabrics, which DEET can mark, and wash it off your skin once you are back indoors.

For woods and fields where ticks are as much a concern as mosquitoes, our guide to the best mosquito and tick repellents for skin compares the options that cover both.

OFF! Deep Woods Dry Insect & Mosquito Repellent 4 oz, 2 Pack

25% DEETAerosol2 cans

Best for: Woods, wetlands and heavy mosquito areas

• ✓25% DEET, per the maker
• ✓Powder-dry, not oily, per the maker
• ✓Effective on mosquitoes, per buyers
• −Strong scent for some buyers
• −DEET can mark plastics and synthetics

Editor's Note

It handles thick mosquitoes and ticks. Keep it off lenses and technical fabrics.

Check Price

Specifications (2)

Item Form

Aerosol

Size

4 Ounce (Pack of 2)

Best Plant-Based Repellent

Oil of lemon eucalyptus is the plant-derived ingredient with the strongest backing: it is one of the actives CDC recommends, and products with it go through EPA registration. That sets it apart from sprays made of essential oils such as citronella, peppermint or lavender, whose protection is short and uneven.

Murphy's Naturals Mosquito and Tick Spray: Best Plant-Based Mosquito Repellent

Murphy's Naturals' 2-pack of 4-ounce pump sprays contains 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus. The formula is EPA-registered, per the maker. Its label lists up to 6 hours against mosquitoes and up to 4 hours against ticks, per the maker.

• The maker says it is free of DEET, picaridin, synthetic dyes and added fragrances.
• Buyers find it very effective and appreciate the plant-based ingredients.
• Scent, skin feel and value draw mixed reviews; some find the lemon smell too strong.

Choose it for gardening, short hikes and backyard evenings if you prefer a plant-derived ingredient. Follow the label on age limits, since OLE is not for young children, and reapply sooner than you would a picaridin lotion.

Murphy's Naturals Mosquito & Tick Repellent Spray 4 oz, 2 Pack

30% oil of lemon eucalyptusSpray

Best for: A registered plant-based option

• ✓Up to 6 hours against mosquitoes, per the maker
• ✓EPA-registered plant-based active, per the maker
• ✓Very effective, per buyers
• −Scent too strong for some buyers
• −Not for young children

Editor's Note

It suits gardening and short outings. Reapply more often than picaridin.

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Specifications (3)

Size

4 Fl Oz (Pack of 2)

Scent Name

Lemon

Target Species

Mosquito

Best Clothing Repellent

Permethrin is different from every other product here. It is an insecticide that bonds to fabric and kills or repels mosquitoes and ticks that land on treated clothing, and CDC advises using it on clothing and gear, never directly on skin. Paired with a skin repellent on exposed areas, it is the strongest protection for long days outdoors.

Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Spray: Best for Clothing and Gear

Sawyer's 24-ounce trigger spray bonds to fabric for up to 6 weeks or 6 washings, whichever comes first, and will not stain clothing, plastics or outdoor gear, per the maker.

• It suits shirts, pants, socks, shoes, tents and netting, per the maker.
• Buyers report being free of ticks, mosquitoes and chiggers after using it.
• The trigger sprayer works poorly for many buyers.

Choose it for camping, hunting, yard work and travel. Treat clothes outdoors, hang them until fully dry and keep cats away from wet fabric, then wear a skin repellent on exposed areas.

Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Spray 24 oz

PermethrinClothing only

Best for: Treating clothing and gear

• ✓Lasts up to 6 weeks or 6 washings, per the maker
• ✓Tick-free results, per buyers
• ✓Does not stain fabrics, per the maker
• −Trigger sprayer works poorly, per buyers
• −Never on skin; keep cats away until dry

Editor's Note

It adds a treated layer for long days outdoors. Let clothes dry fully.

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Specifications (2)

Item Volume

24 fluid ounces

Item Form

Liquid

Best Patio Mosquito Repeller

An area repeller protects a zone rather than a person, so nobody at the table has to put anything on their skin. It works best on a calm evening when everyone stays seated in one spot; a breeze carries the repellent away and a wandering guest walks out of the zone.

Thermacell E-ZoneGuard Patio Max: Best for Patios and Decks

Thermacell's E-ZoneGuard Patio Max is a rechargeable repeller that heats a refill to create a protection zone of up to 20 feet, with up to 12 hours of battery run time and a 36-hour refill included, per the maker.

• The maker says it reaches full protection in about 15 minutes and is scent-free, with no smoke or flame; it is for outdoor use only.
• Buyers praise the rechargeable battery, portability and lack of odor; effectiveness reviews are mixed.
• Buyers find the device overpriced, and especially the refills.

Choose it for a deck or patio where your family eats outside most evenings. Set it on the table upwind of where people sit, turn it on before guests arrive, and keep a skin repellent handy for anyone heading out into the yard.

PREMIUM PICK

Thermacell E-ZoneGuard Patio Max Mosquito Repeller

Rechargeable20 ft zone

Best for: A mosquito-free patio without skin products

• ✓Zone of up to 20 feet, per the maker
• ✓Rechargeable and odorless, per buyers
• ✓No smoke or flame, per the maker
• −Device and refills overpriced, per buyers
• −Mixed effectiveness, per buyers

Editor's Note

It protects a seated group on calm evenings. Place it upwind.

Check Price

Specifications (2)

Maximum Range

20 feet

Power Source

Battery Powered

How to Choose and Apply a Mosquito Repellent

Start with where you will be and for how long. A short evening on the patio needs a modest-strength picaridin product or an area repeller; a full day of fishing in the marsh calls for 25% DEET or 20% picaridin on skin and permethrin on clothing. Children, sensitive skin and gear you care about each narrow the choice further.

Match the Repellent to the Situation

• Backyard and errands: a picaridin lotion or spray; easy to reapply and gentle on clothes.
• Hiking, camping and fishing: 20% picaridin or 25% DEET on skin, permethrin on clothing and shoes.
• Gardening and short walks: OLE if you prefer a plant-derived ingredient, reapplied often.
• Patio dinners: an area repeller, plus a skin repellent for anyone who leaves the table.
• Children: check the label for age limits on every product before using it.

Apply It the Right Way

The EPA's advice on using insect repellents safely covers the steps most people skip:

1. Exposed skin only: apply to skin and the outside of clothing, never under clothing.
2. Not on wounds: keep repellent off cuts, scrapes and irritated skin.
3. Hands first for the face: spray your hands, then rub it on your face, avoiding the eyes and mouth.
4. Adults apply for children: put repellent on your own hands, then on the child, and keep it off their hands.
5. Sunscreen first: CDC advises applying sunscreen, then repellent on top.
6. Wash it off indoors: rinse treated skin with soap and water once you no longer need protection.

Use just enough to cover exposed skin with a thin, even layer. Heavier coats do not work better, and missing a strip on the ankle or behind the ear is where most bites happen.

Keeping Mosquitoes Out of the House

The best mosquito repellent for indoors is not a spray at all; inside, the answer is to keep mosquitoes from getting in and breeding. What attracts mosquitoes to a home is mostly standing water nearby, where they breed, and people sitting outside at dusk near open doors. CDC recommends screens on windows and doors, repairing any holes, and emptying, scrubbing, turning over or covering anything that holds water once a week. UC IPM notes that mosquitoes can go from egg to adult in a week or less in summer, so a forgotten bucket, saucer or clogged gutter keeps the problem going no matter what you spray.

Some products that promise to repel mosquitoes do little. UC IPM reports that ultrasonic and other electronic repellers are ineffective, that bug zappers kill mostly harmless insects, and that the mosquito plant sold as a repellent does not work. Citronella candles and coils help a little in still air close to the flame.

Common Questions About Mosquito Repellents

Which One Should You Buy?

Sawyer's picaridin lotion is the mosquito repellent to buy for most homes. It protects for hours, has no smell, feels like an ordinary lotion and will not harm plastics or synthetic gear, so the whole family can use it from spring to fall.

For the backyard and errands, the Sawyer lotion or the cheaper OFF! Clean Feel spray is enough. For woods, wetlands and tick country, add OFF! Deep Woods Dry or keep the picaridin and treat your clothes with Sawyer's permethrin. If you want a plant-derived ingredient, Murphy's Naturals is the registered option, and for evenings on the deck, the Thermacell repeller lets everyone sit without spraying.

Before you buy, check that the label carries an EPA registration number and one of the active ingredients CDC recommends. To compare more lotions, sprays and wipes, see our guide to repellents for skin.