Once it dried, which took only a couple of minutes, the odor dissipated to nearly nothing, so this is only a minor gripe.
Sawyer stood out due to the even spray, double cap, wide range of sizes, and easy availability. We found and tested five other brands, and even though they have some drawbacks—mostly centered on the spray pattern—they are all valid options if the Sawyer repellent is not available. We like that the Proven repellent has a completely clear bottle, which makes it easy to see how much is left. Some of these brands have scented options. Natrapel has a light floral scent, and Proven and Ranger Ready come in a variety of scents as well as odorless versions.
Defense Insect Repellent is available in both an aerosol and a pump spray we generally prefer pump sprays. This one comes only in an aerosol can, which produces a dense and focused spray that we found harder to use than the others. This makes application on feet and shoes much easier.
Natrapel Tick and Insect Repellent aerosol spray can spray upside down too. We think that these provide solid repellency for a long enough to recommend. Just know that with these, there is the more-limited coverage time. In fact, they appear to be nearly identical, down to the red spray nozzle.
The odor and general feel are the same. So be careful when using it around your camera, rain jacket, and laminated trail map. That said, this spray nozzle applied more evenly than others we tried, and a handy twisting lock on the spray cap helps prevent it from accidentally depressing and discharging in a bag or backpack. Instead, this odorless spray is used to treat clothing or other pieces of gear, like a tent or a backpack. Once dried, it maintains protection for up to six washings or about six weeks on gear and shoes.
You treat clothes and gear with permethrin in advance, then apply a picaridin or DEET repellent as you head into the Peruvian jungle. The pump spray also comes in a large, ounce size for the biggest jobs. The differences between the permethrin options are less pronounced than with the other types of repellents we recommend. The need for a super-precise spray pattern is not as important here, because it gets sprayed on a large object instead of, say, your ankle, wrist, or the back of your neck.
By far the most important thing to look for is EPA approval and the presence of 0. Permethrin is not applied like a regular repellent.
Each item needs to be fully treated, and that means it needs a thick coat of spray. Sawyer recommends taking each item outside and coating it until the moisture causes the fabric to darken. At that point, the permethrin needs to fully dry before something is worn. According to the TickEncounter Resource Center permethrin fact sheet, a pound person would have no adverse health effects even if exposed to 32 grams of permethrin in a day, and a bottle of clothing treatment has less than 1 gram of permethrin.
But it is important to know that permethrin is toxic to cats. We tested both, and they do have advantages. Repellent lotions have two major downsides. There is no way to get them onto your shoes or boots for added tick protection. The same goes for a backpack or a tent. Second, Conlon told us that after application, lotions take about 20 minutes to start repelling bugs. Sprays, like those we recommend, are more immediately effective.
The upside of a lotion is that its effectiveness lasts longer than that of a spray. The lotion may also be easier to apply to difficult areas, like the back of the neck, or on a particularly squirmy child. As with the spray bottles, Sawyer has the widest selection of sizes, ranging from single-use packets to a 1-gallon container.
Proven is available in 2-ounce and 6-ounce versions. So there are advantages to take note of, but we think most people would be better served by a spray repellent. Deep Woods Dry is the better of the two, but the spray is thick, and it puddled on our arms. The regular Deep Woods is oily and smells pretty bad.
We made the mistake of giving it a single squirt in a closed room, and we could still smell it an hour later. We found it to be even more unpleasant when it was on our arms. At the other side of the concentration spectrum are products like Off! Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. He spent 10 years in high-end construction as a carpenter, foreman, and supervisor.
He lives in a very demanding year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. He also raises sheep and has a dairy cow that he milks every morning. Our pick. We include one of each type in our roundup below.
The US Army has been issuing it to its troops since the s. In recent decades, there have been a few medical reports suggesting there are links between DEET and health problems, but ultimately none of them has been substantiated. But if you want to guarantee yourself as much protection as possible against the mozzies, then frankly nothing beats it.
Like most DEET-based sprays, it gives off a very distinct odour. Buy now from Boots. Keen to keep all those sprayable repellents away from your skin? Invest in a mosquito repellent bracelet from Theye. It comes in a range of colours, too, so you can make it something of a style statement. These can be legitimate everyday pieces I want to reach for rather than need to reach for. There's also a larger jacket called the Lakeside Safari, though it's more of a technical piece that I wouldn't need much use for though it is still a solid option.
Though those prices may seem a little steep, these are mostly investment pieces that you'd wear over and over again especially during heavy mosquito months. They're durable enough to handle plenty of washes, and hold up well on hikes and camping or backpacking trips. If you'd rather wear apparel than swear by a spray to fend off mosquitos, the Mosquito-Proof line from Jack Wolfskin should be your go-to. Aunt Fannie's Mosquito Wipes apply mosquito repellent directly to your skin with better precision than aerosol sprays, and its formula is designed to repel bugs without damaging your good bacteria.
Pros: Repels insects without harming helpful bacteria, smells nice, easily portable. Aunt Fannie's Mosquito Wipes come individually packaged so they stay moist and potent right until you need to use one.
To do so, simply rip open the packet and rub the wipe over any exposed skin you want to protect against mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, and more. While wipes like these aren't as effective a repellent as something with DEET, my experience using them has been mostly positive. It helps that they have a nice minty scent so they easily smell better than the Off! I tend to use these when I'm in a pinch or if the spray I've brought along on a hike or camping trip goes empty before I'm able to re-up.
These can easily store in a camp tote or backpack and are small enough to stash under your sink at home for easy use while in the backyard. These can be a bit expensive if you decide to use them all the time but in moderation, they're an excellent choice.
The Votive Citronella Candles come in a pack of 36, making it easy to store a few around your backyard, at camp, or wherever you want some peace and quite from mosquitos. There are so many mosquito-repelling citronella candles for sale and many of them do essentially the same thing, which is, emit a scent mosquitoes don't like.
Many such candles are large and potent, with a thick wick set into a bucket or big glass container. The Votive Citronella Candles give off a citrus-like smell that's mostly enjoyable.
When placed around your backyard or camp on days where the wind is light, they can really help create an area where mosquitos won't bother you. Do be careful of the open flame and take caution when putting them near anything else that's flammable. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.
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