Best bug sprays for 2025

If you’d rather avoid aerosol sprays, Proven makes a great picaridin-based pump spray insect repellent. Picaridin is a synthetic compound derived from piperine, a chemical compound found in the family of plants that produce black pepper. It doesn’t have as strong an odor as DEET and according to some research it is picaridin just as effective at repelling insects as DEET.

The tried and tested Picaridin pump spray is the only one that I found to be truly odorless during my tests. I probably would have looked crazy to bystanders if they had seen me sniffing my skin and clothes to get a whiff of the stuff.

It doesn’t have a bad texture for a pump spray – plus it applies pretty easily and I only had to rub it in very lightly. It absorbed quickly. Of all the bug sprays I have used in my life, I tried Proven for the first time and will probably purchase it in the future.

For those who want to avoid chemicals altogether, a lemon eucalyptus insect repellent is a gentler way to repel insects and their bites. I tried a few different lemon eucalyptus insect sprays and Natrapel performed best.

Since this bug spray is free of the two chemicals proven to repel insects, it’s natural to assume that it won’t be as effective as its DEET or picaridin-containing counterparts. The CDC And EPA Recognize lemon eucalyptus oil as an effective insect repellent. The Natrapel bottle says it provides up to six hours of protection, compared to the typical eight to twelve hours for DEET and Picaridin products.

However, if you don’t mind applying more frequently, Natrapel’s aerosol or pump spray is a good option. Even though the active ingredient is an oil, this bug spray doesn’t feel as oily as you might expect. Compared to DEET and Picaridin sprays, it’s a little harder to rub in, but overall it’s not bad. Both types of bottles are easy to spray. Plus, the smell is pleasant (if you like lemon eucalyptus).

I’m obsessed with these Sawyer permethrin insect repellents. I sprayed all of my fabric patio furniture and the tarp over my home gym equipment. Permethrin is an insect repellent for clothing and equipment – it should not be applied to the skin or to clothing while you are wearing it. Seriously, follow the safety instructions.

The aerosol permethrin produces a nice, broad, even and fast spray. I used this to easily coat my garden furniture in just a few seconds. The pump spray is less convenient, but still good.

While the bottles say the product is odorless, I noticed a slight smell when using the sprays. It smelled similar to spray paint, but far less strong. I wouldn’t want to travel with these bottles – they are quite large – so I would 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 six washes.

Not a fan of sprays? Try Proven’s Picaridin lotion. Like the Proven pump spray, the unscented lotion is truly odorless. The “gentle scent” lotion smells so pleasant that I would use it as a regular lotion if I didn’t know it was an insect repellent!

This lotion uses the same 20% Picaridin formula as the tried and tested pump spray. Since these bottles are a convenient size, you can easily take them with you when traveling, and the smaller bottle is even suitable for air travel.

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

For an easily packable insect repellent, try wipes. I like Ben’s 30% DEET wipes because I know they are effective and easy to take with you anywhere. You can easily bring insect repellent cloths with you on the plane, stash a few in your day bag to prevent unexpected bug damage, and equip yourself with lightweight repellent for multi-day outdoor trips. On Amazon you get four packs of 12 wipes each.

Wipes are also great if you don’t like spraying or rubbing lotions on your skin. Instead of rubbing dirt onto the skin when applying a spray, these wipes actually clean your skin while providing insect protection. Wipes also make it easier to protect your skin while preventing damage to your clothing. (At higher concentrations, DEET can leave traces on certain substances.)

Natrapel strikes again with Picaridin insect protection cloths. The formula contains 20% picaridin, is virtually odorless and offers protection for up to 12 hours. These cloths are slightly softer than the Ben’s cloths mentioned above, but are still effective at removing dirt.

Like Ben’s wipes, these are extremely portable and will fit in almost any type of backpack you want to take with you. It’s a win-win situation all around.