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Best DEET Bug Sprays

  • By Karen
  • Last updated on

You are here because you have discovered your need for an insect repellent that would work maximally while not affecting you adversely. There are others but DEET bug sprays are your safest bet. DEET is not the first ingredient that repels insects which have been discovered but it is the one which has stayed around the longest. Others, like DDT, have long since been banned because they have been proven to be harmful to people. To know which are the best DEET repellents for various situations, take a look at our reviews below.

You are here because you have discovered your need for an insect repellent that would work maximally while not affecting you adversely. There are others but DEET bug sprays are your safest bet. DEET is not the first ingredient that repels insects which have been discovered but it is the one which has stayed around the longest. Others, like DDT, have long since been banned because they have been proven to be harmful to people. To know which are the best DEET repellents for various situations, take a look at our reviews below.

BEST REPELLENT FOR MOST

Ben's Repellent Spray

Consisting of 30% DEET as recommended by CDC, this repellent provides good protection and can repel mosquitoes for up to 8 hours.

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BEST FOR CAMPING

Coleman 40% DEET Spray

If you are planning to stay outdoors in mosquito heavy areas for more than 8 hours, we recommend this 40% DEET repellent.

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BEST FOR FAMILY

Off! Deep Woods Spray

Containing lower concentration of DEET while still beeing effective enough, we recommend this mosquito repellent for families with kids.

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1

Ben's Repellent Spray

BEST REPELLENT FOR MOST
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What we like:

What we don't like:

  • The can must be kept in an upright position for it to spray well. This can make spraying some parts of the body more difficult

Review

The brand ‘Bens’ is owned by Tender Corporation, a company committed to the production and distribution of top quality products that improve the lives of its customers in their day to day endeavors both indoors and outdoors. Some brands owned by the company include the well-known AfterBite which is popular for the treatment of insect bites and Ben’s and Natrapel which are known as excellent insect repellents. Tender Corporation backs its already great products with an even greater after sales service all in its bid to ensure the best user experience for its customers. It aims to constantly evolve with the times, remaining flexible enough to adapt to the growing and changing needs of its many users.

From its stable, Tender Corporation presents Ben’s 30% DEET Insect Repellent Spray. It is a powerfully efficient insect repellent with N, N-Diethyl-m-toluamide (commonly known as DEET) as its active ingredient. With this insect repellent, you are protected from ticks and other insects, including those that carry diseases like malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus and more.

With this repellent, you are protected for up to eight hours and comfortably too. What do we mean by this? Some repellents may truly repel insects but because of their odor and harshness on the skin, it is almost as if it is also repelling the user. With this repellent, you are not disturbed by the feel or smell. In fact, your skin barely absorbs it and it does not easily evaporate into the atmosphere. More importantly, it is odorless, making it perfect for that outdoor experience where you want to inhale the richness of nature around you. It allows you do just that. You do not inhale the odor of the repellent but the fragrance of your surroundings while it does a magnificent job of repelling the insects around you.

It is packed for easy transportation, giving you ample supply for protection on your trip. It also features an eco-spraying system that allows you deliver even, a continuous spray of this repellent over your body. The delivery is so controlled that it does not constitute any form of discomfort to you. As the spray settles on you, it takes a while to evaporate making it last much longer. As we stated earlier, it is barely absorbed by the body and this is because it is mainly a water-based solution.

So, if you are looking for a DEET repellent, here is a great one for your consideration.

Specifications:

  • Active ingredients: 30% DEET
  • Target insects: Ticks and insects
  • Where can be used: Both indoors and outdoors
  • Kid safe: Yes
  • Pet safe: Yes
  • Odor/scent: No
  • Other features: Repels insects for up to 8 hours with little evaporation and skin absorption
2

Coleman 40% DEET Spray

BEST FOR CAMPING
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What we like:

What we don't like:

  • May be corrosive to some surfaces you come in contact with

Review

The Coleman Company Inc. understands the power of the outdoors just as it also understands the challenges that keep many away from it. In its bid to get more people to embrace the outdoors and enjoy mother nature at her best, it offers products that make the outdoor experience more comfortable for people. The products offered by the brand include outdoor gear like tents, sleeping bags, stoves and lanterns, backpacks, coolers and many more. Understanding that these are not enough to combat the many challenges of outdoor life, it went further and partnered with Wisconsin Pharmacal Company to now include in its range of products, insect repellents. As a major force in the outdoor safety and health industry, Wisconsin Pharmacal Company brings to Coleman its years of experience and expertise, making the overall package offered by Coleman for the outdoor life a complete one.

One of its insect repellents is the Coleman DEET Insect Repellent. This is a DEET based repellent. DEET as the active ingredient constitutes about 40% of the product. This DEET mosquito spray keeps you protected from mosquitoes and other insects, sparing you their pesky bites and the possibility of being infected with the many diseases they could be carrying. It will also repel fleas, ticks, and chiggers among others.

One of the very great things about this mosquito repellent is that it is non-greasy and unscented. You will not apply it and feel all sticky and uncomfortable neither will you apply it and wish you could live outside of your body because of the strong, bothersome smell. It is unscented so you can enjoy the natural fragrance around you. It also resists perspiration so you shouldn’t not afraid of it being washed off when you perspire.

It is packed in a container that makes application very easy. The aluminum can which is lightweight and durably designed to withstand rust has a cap that can be twist-locked so it cannot accidentally be sprayed. Its design also makes it easy to be applied in any position and angle.

When it comes to insect repellents, none come as highly recommended as DEET. Even the CDC recommends DEET for protection against mosquitoes. If you are therefore looking for a mosquito spray or a general DEET bug repellent, then this is a very good one to consider.

Take advantage of the combined outdoor experience of Coleman Company, Inc. and Wisconsin Pharmacal Company to make your time outdoors more enjoyable and health-risk free.

Specifications:

  • Active ingredients: 40% DEET
  • Target insects: Mosquitoes and biting flies
  • Where can be used: Both indoors and outdoors
  • Kid safe: Yes
  • Pet safe: Yes
  • Other features: Provides up to eight hours of protection, is non-greasy and withstands perspiration
3

Off! Deep Woods Spray

BEST FOR FAMILY
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What we like:

What we don't like:

  • Some users found it too oily
  • It has a heavy smell
  • It could cause some itching for some users

Review

OFF! is a subsidiary of SC Johnson; a company that has been in operation for more than 100 years. With 50 years’ worth of experience to boast of, OFF! focuses on insect repellents that suit you personally. Its products are geared towards having healthier, safer and cleaner homes for families worldwide, as well as a stable and healthy environment for the whole world.

Built on strong principles and unwavering support for its clientele, this company recognizes that once people are happy and satisfied then something has been done right so it keeps channeling its energy and expertise into producing even better products and improving on already-existing ones. So if you have been looking for the brand to trust for your personal insect repellent, you would not go wrong with OFF! as is exemplified in the OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent.

This spray contains 25% DEET and is a solid protection for you in your backyard or on camping trip against mosquitoes, biting flies, ticks, and fleas. Mosquitoes are one of the commonest insects, as well as one of the deadliest but they just cannot stand DEET. You become unattractive to them and other biting insects when you use this DEET mosquito repellent.

And from the time of first application, you get 8 straight hours of protection without reapplying. You get some fun or work time in without having to worry if your protective shield is beginning to wear off every hour. It has been tested and trusted so it is not media hype.

Besides, it is not one of those aerosol sprays that you have to go full throttle on before you can get it to work maximally. Just a little bit of the content on exposed parts of your skin is enough to keep you covered. This means that you do not feel like you are carrying some extra weight because of heavy application, and one bottle lasts for a while. If you are not careful, though, you may press the easy-to-use sprayer too hard; the magic is to go easy on it.

Specifications:

  • Active ingredients: 25% DEET
  • Target insects: Biting flies, mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, gnats
  • Odor/scent: Yes
  • Other features: Easy to apply, lasts long, a little amount is effective

Other products to consider

4

Sawyer Ultra 30 Lotion

GOOD EVERYDAY REPELLENT
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What we like:

What we don't like:

  • Some might have an allergic reaction to it so keep it in mind

Review

For more than 30 years, Sawyer Products has dedicated itself to providing ways to eradicate mosquito bites and unhealthy water by providing some of the best and most innovative protective solutions against insects, water, sunburn and varying injuries with products like first-aid kits and bug repellents that are built with a unique liposome technology.

It does not just rely on hearsay but conducts researchers with global bodies like the World Health Organization in order to find these solutions and because of its extensive work, it is the top producer of repellents like permethrin, which can be found in different retail stores, and even DEET-based products like the Sawyer Products Premium Ultra 30% DEET Insect Repellent lotion, a trustworthy protection for you in your backyard.

The Sawyer Products Premium Ultra 30% DEET Insect Repellent is a liposome-based lotion. Put in simple terms, the liposome is a base or carrier of ingredients or nutrients in a lot of cosmetics that enables them to work better. In this lotion, it wraps up DEET, the most active ingredient, and slowly but surely releases it with time so that its effectiveness as a repellent is drawn out. In other words, it aids the smooth diffusion of this DEET insect repellent lotion. Once applied, you do not have to wait extra minutes before it begins to work; the presence of liposome ensures it begins to work immediately.

With this, you are well protected against a good number of insects for up to 11 hours. Without having to apply it again, you can go into an area infested with fleas, mosquitoes, ticks, diggers and other insects and not be bitten for almost half a day before its effectiveness starts waning. So whether you are out in the woods or in your backyard, your skin does not suffer and you do not need to wear uncomfortable clothing due to fear of insect bites; just apply this super-effective DEET insect repellent lotion and you are good to go.

In addition, it is lightweight and not greasy. Some lotions tend to feel like an extra layer of clothing when applied and draw dirt because of their greasiness. But this does not have any of these properties and because it does not, it equally does not cause you to sweat unnecessarily. It sits lightly on your skin and leaves you still feeling fresh and protected.

Specifications:

  • Active ingredients: 30% DEET
  • Target insects: Mosquitoes, fleas, flies, diggers, ticks
  • Where can be used: Outdoors
  • Odor/scent: Yes
  • Other features: Active for 11 hours, is not sticky, does not cause sweating
5

Coleman 100% DEET Pump Spray

THE STRONGEST REPELLENT
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What we like:

What we don't like:

  • Content may leak when not kept upright

Review

This once again is another product from Coleman Company, Inc. Obviously Coleman Company, Inc. is a leader in the production of insect repellents so it makes sense that another product from it is being featured. It’s nothing but a testament to the quality of its products.

The product we are featuring now is the Coleman 100 Max DEET Insect Repellent. We already know that DEET comes highly recommended even by the CDC for protection against insect bites. However, this is the granddaddy DEET bug repellent with a 98.11% DEET constitution. This offers much more protection than another DEET repellent you may find out there, offering up to 10 hours of protection against mosquitoes, gnats, biting flies, chiggers, fleas, and ticks.

This is perfect for the hunter who needs to lies quietly in wait for its prey and not has to contend with the bites and discomfort of insects taking a close interest in his person and activities. This just puts an ‘off-limits’ tape around you so you can focus on enjoying your time outdoors or on that next kill of the hunting season.

The bites from these insects are nasty and very uncomfortable, but much worse than this is the possibility of being infected with dreaded diseases like Zika, Dengue fever, West Nile virus, Lyme disease, Tick paralysis, Powassan virus and many more. All these can be passed on through mosquito bite as well as tick bites. Now you are protected from the bites and its possible consequences.

To use this, apply it to your clothes and your skin and you will enjoy maximum protection. It is unscented and has just a little odor which won’t adversely impact your outdoor experience especially considering the massive protection it will be giving you.

This is not child’s play. This is the insect repellent you turn to when you are about to head into the stronghold of mosquitoes and other insects. With this Coleman 100 Max DEET Insect Repellent protecting you, you will march through dense pockets of insects, and no matter how hungry they are, they will only watch longingly as you walk through, reserving their anger and angst at your condescending intrusion for the next victim who comes through their domain without proper protection.

So are you looking for the best mosquito repellent with DEET? You have just been presented with one. This one is not just with DEET but is almost wholly DEET for superior protection.

Specifications:

  • Active ingredients: 98.11% DEET
  • Target insects: Mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies
  • Where can be used: Both indoors and outdoors
  • Odor/scent: Yes
  • Other features: 10 hours protection, to be used on cloths and skin for maximum protection
6

Ben's 100% DEET Pump Spray

GREAT FOR MOSQUITO HEAVY AREAS
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What we like:

What we don't like:

  • Might melt synthetic materials

Review

Once again Tender Corporation through one of its brands ‘Ben’s” offers a product for the outdoor lover. As we stated earlier, Tender Corporation is committed to the delivery of products that make outdoor life more comfortable and healthy. We previously looked at one of its DEET insect repellents. We will now be looking at yet another product from this brand but the product we will be looking at is a top of the line DEET insect repellent. The former product had a 30% DEET constitution. This next product has almost 100% percent, making it royalty as far as DEET insect repellents are concerned.

We are talking about the Ben’s 100 DEET Tick & Insect Repellent. With a 98.11% DEET content, it’s some serious stuff for serious users. It offers a 10-hour protection which is easily a full day’s protection. This is for those situations where it feels like the insects have defied every other repellent, daring any humans to come into their territory. Just spray this on you and walk right into the thick of it all. Sure they will see you but you will be totally out of their reach to their complete disappointment.

When you really consider that many of these insects do more than just bite, that a lot of them could be carriers of diseases like Zika, malaria, Lyme fever, West Nile virus, Encephalitis and other very contagious diseases, you will then appreciate the fact that you are being protected from more than mere bites but from really high-risk health conditions.

The fear of getting infected from an insect bite should not have to keep you from the outdoors. No matter how formidable or dense the insect activity in your area of interest is, with this full strength DEET bug repellent, you are fully covered.

As far as mosquito and insect repellents are concerned, this is surely a candidate for the best mosquito repellent with DEET. Given that even the CDC has acknowledged the efficacy of DEET as an insect repellent, this makes this product top level insect repellent since it is almost 100% DEET.

So are you ready to take on the Amazon or any other challenging outdoor project? Make sure you do not leave without the full protection that the Ben’s 100 DEET Tick & Insect Repellent will offer you. This small 1.25 fl. Oz. the container will provide you days of complete protection so you can focus on the task of enjoying your trip without having to spend time swatting off insects.

Specifications:

  • Active ingredients: 98.11% DEET
  • Target insects: Ticks and insects
  • Where can be used: Both indoors and outdoors
  • Kid-safe: No
  • Other features: 10 hours of protection from the most persistent of insects including those that carry diseases
7

REPEL Sportsmen Max Spray

GOOD FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
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What we like:

What we don't like:

  • It has a strong odor but it quickly dissipates with time

Review

Repel is one of the many quality brands under Spectrum Brands. This company strives to ensure that top quality and performance are attributes that cut across all the brands under it. If you have ever used a product from Black+Decker, Baldwin, Pfister, etc. you can certainly expect that much quality from Repel products.

The Repel Sportsmen Max Insect Repellent is a great companion for outdoor exploration. Walking trails, setting camp in the woods, going fishing, etc. all have great benefits. These are experiences to cherish for a long time. However, lurking in the outdoors are insects, of all sorts, waiting for humans to feed on. And there you are, a healthy and ‘juicy’ specimen. Many of these insects carry diseases which can be quite inconvenient, at least, or dangerous.

A bottle of this Repel insect repellent just might be the best thing you will need to pack on your outdoor exploration. This product effectively wards off those pesky insects that are trying to make a meal of you. It works on mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, fleas, and chiggers. Having some protection against those keeps you safe as far as insects are concerned. If they don’t get to bite you, you don’t get to contract any of the diseases they are peddling.

DEET is a potent ingredient that is popularly used in repellents. It works to block the olfactory receptors of insects that are used to identify humans. It essentially duds the insect’s sense such that its instinct to feed on humans and animals are not triggered. This is the reason DEET has been so effective at keeping insects at bay and the user protected from bites and diseases. This product we are featuring has 40% DEET as its active ingredient which is why it is so effective.

Once you apply this product on your skin or on your gear, you are protected for the next 8 hours. During that period, the insects that would have attacked you otherwise would just pass you by. Now you can enjoy the great outdoors without having to keep slapping yourself in an attempt to kill an insect. This product is one of the strongest mosquito repellents out there.

Never spray this repellent directly on the face. You should spray it on your hands first and only then rub it on your face. To use on other parts of the body, keep the bottle about 6 inches from the skin and then spray to cover the exposed areas of the skin and clothing. If you have an irritated skin, wounds, or cuts, do not use this spray over them.

Specifications:

  • Active ingredients: 40% DEET
  • Target insects: Ticks, Gnats, Biting Insects, Chiggers, Fleas
  • Where can be used: Both indoors and outdoors
  • Kid-safe: No
  • Pet safe: No
  • Residue: No
  • Odor/scent: Yes
  • Other features: Offers 8 hours of protection
8

Repel 100% DEET Pump Spray

ANOTHER SUPERSTRONG REPELLENT
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What we like:

What we don't like:

  • As effective as this product is, the smell is not pleasant

Review

Repel is a brand under the umbrella of Spectrum Brands. This higher-level brand is one of the fastest growing consumer product brands in the world and it is not about to stop. For years, Repel has been helping individuals explore the far reaches of the outdoors without fear of getting bitten by disease-carrying insects. Its products are of top quality and deliver superior performance.

The Repel 100 Insect Repellent is at the forefront when it comes to 100 DEET bug sprays. This is a product for the fearless outdoor enthusiast. Those that are willing to explore the uncharted areas of the outdoors and face extreme conditions. Part of the reasons they are willing to go that far is because they have deep trust in the type of protection they have.

Extreme times definitely require extreme protection and this is where the Repel 100 Insect Repellent does its trade. With 98.11% DEET, there is hardly any insect that stands a chance. Having this product handy, you can tear into any jungle you please knowing you are fully protected against disease-carrying insects. Whether you are looking for rare species of animals or exploring uncharted lakes to catch exotic fish, mosquitoes and other insects will be the least of your worries.

Some other repellents that won’t offer such a strong protection will still require you to reapply often to stay protected from those insects. This 100 DEET mosquito repellent only requires you to reapply twice a day to get around-the-clock protection. Yes! You read right. This repellent offers a whopping 10 long hours of protection. Just imagine the strength of a 100 DEET protecting you for up to 10 hours straight. What more can you ask for?

This spray can be applied to the skin directly as well as on clothing. It does not leave a residue so there is no risk of damage to your clothes and gear.

It is available in a 0.475-ounce container and a one-ounce container. The 4-ounce size is also available in a pack of 2 and a pack of 6. So, whether you are exploring solo or with the team, this Repel product has you covered.

This is nearly a 100% DEET concentration. For your own sake, follow the usage instructions and use exactly how the manufacturer recommends. Remember that it is a Federal offense to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.

Specifications:

  • Active ingredients: 98.11% DEET
  • Target insects: Mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, chiggers, fleas, flying and biting insects
  • Where can be used: Both indoors and outdoors
  • Kid-safe: No
  • Pet safe: No
  • Residue: No
  • Odor/scent: Yes
  • Other features: Offers 10 hours of strong protection
9

Sawyer Products Maxi-DEET Spray

REPELLENT FOR EXTREME SITUATIONS
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What we like:

What we don't like:

  • It would have been great if this product was sweat-resistant

Review

Since 1984, Sawyer Products has been in full support of outdoor enthusiast and backpackers with practical and reliable products. Its technologically advanced and innovatively designed products range from bugs, sun, injuries, etc. protection to first aid kits for wilderness and even point-of-use water filters. This is a brand that offers a holistic support for your outdoor exploration needs. This is the type of brand you can trust to keep you protected in your various outdoor ventures.

It is almost general knowledge that DEET is one of the most effective ingredients used in repellents. It has stood the test of time and is yet to fail at controlling insects. It does its thing by numbing insects’ olfactory sensors which prevent them from identifying humans as meals. It also further suppresses their instincts to bite and feed. A combination of those effects essentially makes mosquitoes and other insects inert when a person is coated in DEET.

This product does not just use DEET, it uses it in its purest form. This is what makes this product so effective at keeping insects away from you so you can focus on whatever outdoor activities you are involved in. If you compare this product to, say a 30 DEET insect repellent, you will be getting almost a 70% less protection. This is just to show you that this Maxi-DEET Insect Repellent is an ideal choice if you are visiting an area that has a severe insect infestation.

Not only is this spray repellent potent at keeping insects at bay, it will also continue to protect you for up to 10 hours after application. This is quite economical considering that you will not be reapplying so frequently.

The Sawyer Premium Maxi-DEET Insect Repellent can be applied directly on the skin and can also be applied to gear and clothing. It does not leave a residue so it won’t cause any damage or discoloration to your gear and clothing. You can spray on your skin and go to bed with it. This premium spray will stay up protecting you while you sleep.

It is extremely important that you read the instructions that come with it before using this product. This is pure DEET and it is not something you want to handle carelessly. Even though it protects you from insects, it is still hazardous to humans if ingested. If you have cuts, wounds, or irritated skin, do not spray this product over it. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Specifications:

  • Active ingredients: 98.11% DEET
  • Target insects: Mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, chiggers, fleas, flying and biting insects
  • Where can be used: Both indoors and outdoors
  • Kid-safe: No
  • Pet safe: No
  • Residue: No
  • Odor/scent: Yes
  • Other features: Offers up to 10 hours of strong protection

About DEET sprays

What is a DEET bug spray?

First of all, DEET, chemically known as N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, is one of the most active ingredients you would find in many bug and insect repellents. It is hugely known to successfully keep insects like ticks, mosquitoes and at bay and is used by a large percentage of people to keep from being infected with malaria, Lyme disease, and even the Zika virus. There is a myriad of products which contain DEET for repelling purposes such as creams, lotions, and sprays.

So a DEET bug spray is an active and effective repellent for bugs and insects, making you unattractive and even repulsive to them. However, there are a number of things to keep in mind to make your choice easier so let us take a look at what makes for the best DEET bug spray and why you should use one.

Some interesting facts about DEET bug sprays

  1. Any DEET bug spray only repels insects – it does not kill them. Some people go to the market and purchase a DEET spray with the hopes that it would kill insects but if you buy one because you have heard that DEET is effective, you have to know that its effectiveness is only in repelling insects, not in killing them. Imagine how poisonous a spray would have to be before it can kill an insect on your skin or clothes. That would mean it would equally be harmful to you. No, DEET only repels but rest assured that you would get results
  2. A bug spray containing a small percentage of DEET does not mean it is less potent for insects than that containing a large percentage. It has nothing to do with how effective it is. Do not make your choice based on this; make it based on what needs you have. If a bug spray contains a small amount of DEET, it only means it can remain active for a fewer number of hours than that with a larger percentage. But for those hours, it would be as effective as that with the bigger volume of DEET
  3. If it is just mosquitoes you want to keep off your body, you are covered with a DEET bug spray. But do not believe the rumor that DEET is effective in repelling only mosquitoes; it does much more than that. If you have different types of insects you need to handle, especially if you are an outdoorsy person, a DEET bug spray would equally take care of them as well as it would mosquitoes

Can I use DEET spray on my kids?

Bug sprays with DEET as the active ingredient are safe to be used for your kids. Because it is a chemical, most people hesitate to use it for children but you should know that so many repellent lotions and creams which campers and hikers use contain mainly DEET and they are applied directly to the skin. If you read the instructions properly and apply them first to your hands before putting on the skin of your children, they are safe. So there is no need to worry about having to use a bug spray with DEET for your kids. It is safe for them. Be sure, though, to read the labels carefully first before using

Why should you use a DEET bug spray?

You are here because you have discovered your need for an insect repellent that would work maximally while not affecting you adversely. There are others but DEET bug sprays are your safest bet. DEET is not the first ingredient that repels insects which have been discovered but it is the one which has stayed around the longest. Others, like DDT, have long since been banned because they have been proven to be harmful to people.

It is safe

So your first proof of reliability is the safety. DEET has been used as an insect repellent since 1946 since it was first discovered by the Army. It was developed solely to be used on human beings and animals without proving harmful in the long run. Considering that there are many situations that people may find themselves, deliberately or inadvertently, which would warrant exposure to biting insects, the necessity for a repellent which can be directly applicable to the skin arose.

There are others but DEET seems to be the standard and has not failed. Even your kids are safe with DEET, as long as you read instructions carefully and apply it yourself.

It is effective

A DEET bug spray is better, especially for the outdoors than a lotion or cream with it because you do not stand the chance of getting sticky. Lotions may end up being uncomfortable because of stickiness on your skin but you do not have to encounter that with a spray.

Again, as has been mentioned before, there are a number of ingredients which naturally repel insects out there but most of them do not last for long.

A DEET spray with a concentration of as low as 7% would take you for as long as 90 minutes from first application while some others may start wearing out after the first 10-20 minutes.

You have to note that the concentration of DEET in a bug spray does not diminish its effectiveness in any way; it only affects the length of time it stays active.

It is eco-friendly

Everyone is keen to keep the environment safe and healthy because nobody appreciates the effect of harmful chemicals to the air, land, and plants. A DEET spray, though, was made with these in mind. If it does not harm a person, how would it harm the environment? It’s not toxic except for those who have been known to react negatively to it. This does not mean that there is something innately wrong with DEET; allergies occur even with the most naturally-occurring things.

It is easily available

DEET bug sprays can be found everywhere. Because of the need it solves, it has been made readily available in different stores for easy access. You do not have to drive cross-country in order to find a DEET spray tailored to fit your needs. However, read the instructions carefully before you buy.

DEET bug spray usage tips

How to apply DEET repellent

avtk/Shutterstock.com

  1. It is necessary to be sure you do not have any allergy to DEET before you decide to use a DEET bug spray. It is a great way to go in terms of repelling biting insects but if you have a history of allergies or you easily react to substances, check before buying. Do not be in a rush into it
  2. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you need to be careful where you apply it and how you apply it. Do not let your baby lick it off your skin and check with your doctor before starting. As safe as it is, it may not sit well with your body when it is fragile
  3. Do not apply DEET bug spray to broken skin or underneath your clothes. It is good to be used on clothes but on top of them. Putting it on your skin and then putting on clothes may cause rashes. Only apply on exposed skin for safety. And if any part of your exposed skin has a wound, do not let the spray touch it. It is only meant for external use
  4. It is not safe to be used on babies. If you have a baby less than 6 months, do not use this bug spray on them. It would be safer if you just do not take them to places where they stand the chance of being bitten by insects. Their skin is still too fragile and may not handle DEET well

Conclusion

Now that you have gone through the buying guide and our list of products from trusted brands, it is time for you to choose a DEET bug spray that will work perfectly for your particular needs.

Karen

Karen

Main editor

Expert in mosquito control and the main website editor at InsectCop.net. Karen started InsectCop to help people get rid of mosquitoes. But now she gives advice an all things pest control.

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