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Top 5 Best Gnat Repellents in 2022

Gnats are pretty nasty little bugs, and if you are looking to eradicate them once and for all, you are in the right place. There are so many gnat repellents that you can find on the market, but not all of them are effective. Furthermore, you feel miserable if your applied treatment turns out to be a huge failure. That's why we have developed this post to assist you in finding the best gnat repellent and getting rid of these pesky bugs for good.

Gnats are pretty nasty little bugs, and if you are looking to eradicate them once and for all, you are in the right place. There are so many gnat repellents that you can find on the market, but not all of them are effective. Furthermore, you feel miserable if your applied treatment turns out to be a huge failure. That's why we have developed this post to assist you in finding the best gnat repellent and getting rid of these pesky bugs for good.

BEST OVERALL
Bug Soother Spray for Gnats

Bug Soother Repellent Spray for Gnats

Natural gnat repellent that is harmless to humans, pets, and the environment. Effective for gnats and mosquitoes.

BEST FOR VERSATILITY
Murphy's Naturals Gnat Repellent

Murphy's Naturals Gnat Repellent

It not only repels gnats and mosquitoes, but it will also help you deal with ticks, and it's DEET free.

BEST SCENT FOR REPELLENTS
Buggins Natural Bug Repellent

Buggins Natural Gnat Repellent

An effective gnat repellent with an equally good aroma with vanilla mind and rose.

1

Bug Soother Repellent Spray for Gnats

BEST OVERALL
Bug Soother Spray for Gnats

What we like:

What we don't like:

  • Might need to be applied repeatedly
  • The repellent is a bit expensive

Review

Bug Soother has been around for quite some time, and they understand bugs. So, they have introduced this gnat repellent that also works on mosquitoes. They haven’t used any chemical-based ingredients to form this oil-based repellent. 

The fluid contains natural ingredients that are safe to be used directly on the skin. It is safe to use for adults, kids, and pets. Apart from gnats and mosquitoes, it is highly effective for sand fleas, no-see-ums, fruit flies, black flies, and various mosquitoes. 

They have used all the skin-loving ingredients in this formula. It contains glycerin, castor oil, purified water, vitamin E, and soy lecithin. 

The formula also contains 100 percent pure lemongrass extract oil blended with vanilla to produce a scent that smells pretty nice. You and your family will love this product, but bugs will hate it. 

It repels gnats pretty well, and you can spray it on your clothes or your skin when you are outdoors. You can use it on your fishing trips, hiking trips, biking, farming, golfing, or even when you are just out in your backyard having a quality relaxing time. You can even use it indoors if you have any bugs inside your house. 

This handmade product is highly effective and produces immediate results. You won’t have to deal with any biting gnats, no matter where you are. 

You might notice that it is slightly on the expensive side. That is because it is made of premium quality materials. But it’s the kind of repellent you need to have with you all along.

Specifications

  • Size: 2 oz, 4 oz, and 8 oz bottles
  • Item form: Oil
  • Scent: Vanilla and lemongrass
2

Murphy's Naturals Gnat Repellent

BEST FOR VERSATILITY
Murphy's Naturals Gnat Repellent

What we like:

What we don't like:

  • Not safe for children under 2 years
  • Shouldn't be used directly on the skin

Review

Murphy’s Naturals is one of the best companies for repellents. And the thing that makes them the best is that they only use natural ingredients in their formulas. So, you can only expect plant-based products from them. 

But there is another thing! 

As they only use plant-based extracts and ingredients in their formulas, there might be a little problem with sensitive skins. 

It is highly recommended that you don’t spray this oil directly on your skin, especially if it’s a sensitive one or the oil will cause irritations. However, it will help you repel gnats pretty effectively. 

You might also notice that the combination of lemon and eucalyptus for scents is not the best choice for everyone. But it does work pretty well to repel mosquitoes, and that’s the idea. 

You might also notice that some people around you will try to keep a distance from you if they don’t like this scent. 

So there are a few points that you need to keep in mind when using this product by Murphy’s Naturals. It is available in 2 oz and 4 oz bottles, so they are easy to carry with you on the go. But it is better to use this repellent outdoors because it does have an intense scent. 

But the repellents are highly effective when it comes to keeping bugs away. It works for gnats, mosquitoes, and ticks as well. There aren’t many repellents out there that are so effective and versatile.

Specifications

  • Size: 2 oz and 4 oz bottles
  • Item form: Oil spray
  • Scent: Lemon and eucalyptus
3

BEST SCENT FOR REPELLENTS

Buggins Natural Gnat Repellent
Buggins Natural Bug Repellent

What we like:

What we don't like:

  • Not effective against mosquitoes
  • Requires frequent application

Review

Buggins is one of the popular brands for repellents, and this repellent is not different either. One of the best features of this repellent is its fragrance. 

It smells pretty nice, and you won’t feel that you are wearing repellent. So, no more itchy noses around you, and you can spray it frequently without irritating others. 

This repellent is highly effective against a variety of gnats. It works well for horse gnats, turkey gnats as well as no-see-ums. However, it doesn’t contain much mint, so the product is not effective enough against mosquitoes. 

Though you can use it with peppermint oil extract, it will become more effective against mosquitoes. 

It is available in 4 oz bottles, so you can conveniently carry it with you no matter where you go. Just because of its fragrance, you can use it indoors and outdoors. But it is ideally made to repel gnats outdoors. 

It is highly effective as it contains active ingredients such as geraniol, lemongrass oil, clove oil, hydrogenated castor oil, and some peppermint oil, along with other ingredients. 

It is also a DEET-free formula if you are looking for one. But make sure that you don’t have sensitive skin before applying it directly onto your skin. 

It might cause some irritations at times, so be wary of that. You might also notice that this needs to be sprayed frequently if effective. So, value for money would be slightly negative as it only lasts for a couple of hours.

Specifications

  • Size: 4 oz bottles
  • Item form: Oil spray
  • Scent: Vanilla mint and rose

Other products to consider

4

No Natz Botanical Gnat Repellent

BEST HYPOALLERGENIC REPELLENT
No Natz Botanical Gnat Repellent

What we like:

What we don't like:

  • Has to be applied multiple times to be effective

Review

If you are looking for a bug repellent that is not greasy but highly effective, you don’t need to look any further. The No Natz Bug Repellent is the right product for you to choose. 

No, Natz is not a big corporation that has several hundred employees. It is a family-run business that a veteran owns, and they stand behind all their products. 

They have only used natural ingredients to develop this formula that effectively repels gnats. That is why it is hypoallergenic, and you don’t have to worry about applying it to your skin if you have a sensitive skin type or have any allergies. 

This formula is pretty effective against biting flies, mosquitoes, and gnats. It also comes in three different bottle sizes, and you can conveniently carry them with you no matter where you go.

The formula has citronella oil, lemongrass oil, rosemary oil, and geranium oil with coconut extracts. It has a pretty nice smell, and it works pretty well. 

The formula has been handcrafted and made with the most refined quality oils. It is equally safe to use on synthetics. As it has a pleasant fragrance, you won’t even notice that you are wearing it. Make sure that you shake it well before using it, so the extracts become activated. 

But you will have to keep in mind that you will need to spray it multiple times if you are looking to spend your entire day out in the open. A single spray can last around 2 to 3 hours.

Specifications

  • Size: 2 oz, 4 oz, and 8 oz bottles
  • Item form: Oil spray
  • Scent: Citronella and coconut
5

Ben's 100 Insect Repellent

BEST UNSCENTED REPELLENT
Ben's 100 Insect Repellent

What we like:

What we don't like:

  • Not the right choice, so you are looking for a DEET-free repellent
  • Packaging is pretty poor and is prone to leaks

Review

If you are looking for a bug repellent that doesn’t come with any scents, this is the right option for you, but that doesn’t mean this repellent is ineffective against gnats. It can tackle gnats, mosquitos, sand flies, and other biting flies. 

It is also very effective against ticks and other biting insects. This spray is available in different packaging, and you can conveniently carry it with you. It can repel gnats pretty well, but be very careful as these bottles are prone to leakage. 

Packaging is one of the most disturbing things about these products. So, it is better to carry it in a resealable plastic bag with you. It also comes in one but always has a spare with you to keep it safe in your luggage or handbag. 

Another one of the huge advantages of this repellent is that it’s pretty long-lasting. A single spray can conveniently last for up to 10 hours. So, you will get a pretty good bang for your buck, that is only if you can prevent the leaks from occurring. 

Also, keep in mind that this repellent has a maximum amount of DEET that makes it last longer. So if you don’t want to use DEET products, you might have to look elsewhere.

Specifications

  • Size: 0.5 oz, 1.25 oz, and 3.4 oz bottles
  • Item form: Oil spray
  • Scent: Non-scented

Indoor vs. Outdoor gnat repellents – are they different?

There is not much difference between these two products. You can use most of these repellents both indoors and outdoors. But keep in mind that most indoor repellents don’t have a strong scent, and they are suitable to be worn inside the house. 

You also need to understand that most indoor gnats are non-biters while most outdoor gnats bite. But they both are pretty similar, and you can use these repellents whether you are outside the house or inside. 

Repellents tend to stay on to you long as you are inside and not exposed to various elements. So when you are outside, you might have to reapply your repellents to keep them effective continuously. 

Factors to consider when buying the best gnat repellent

Most gnat repellents are similar, but they are different regarding their staying power and price. Here are some of the factors you must keep in mind when buying a gnat repellent. 

Natural ingredients 

Many brands are available on the market that claims to have all-natural ingredients and extracts. These products have essential oils and extracts such as citronella and cedar. But these natural extracts don’t have much-staying power. 

Natural ingredients in gnat repellentsLook for the ingredients that have lemon and eucalyptus oils. You will have to apply these products repeatedly to make them stay. 

Beware, not all-natural ingredients and extracts are suitable for sensitive skins. 

As soon as you apply them, these repellents will start causing irritations. So, keep this in your mind and then buy a product. Lemon eucalyptus is one of the oils that can cause irritations, and you have to apply it repeatedly to make it work.

Chemicals/Pesticides

The gnat repellents have permethrins, a type of pesticide made from the extracts of chrysanthemum flowers used by pest control companies. 

This pesticide targets gnats, gnat larvae, and other biting bugs directly attacking their nervous system. But in recent years, more and more companies have entered the market that uses natural products. 

Most gnat repellents come with pretty similar active ingredients. But not all of them work in the same manner. These repellents also have inactive ingredients that tend to develop a concentration of multiple other ingredients. 

These can result in differences when it comes to overall effectiveness. Some of them might even have adverse reactions. So be careful when buying such repellents that have chemicals in them. 

Repellent with sunscreen

These products aren’t the best choice because sun blockers are applied every two hours. In contrast, an insect repellent doesn’t need to be applied with this frequency (depending upon the bug repellent). Any over-exposure to such active ingredients can harm your skin and health. 

Price

These gnat repellents vary in terms of their price. Some of them are pretty expensive as they come with natural ingredients. But you can understand the value of a product based on how frequently you have to apply it. 

For example, Ben’s 100 bug repellent can easily last for up to 10 hours, and it has DEET in it. But the Bug Soother Spray comes with natural ingredients and has a DEET-free formula. But it will only last up to 3 or 4 hours. 

No, it’s up to you what your preferences are. For example, whether frequent reapplication is a problem for you, or do you need a DEET-free product. There is always the right option available to you based on your budget based on the features that it has to offer. 

What smell do gnats hate?

smells gnats hateFruit flies and fungus gnats are common gnats and rely on their sense of smell for navigation. Therefore, these repellents take advantage of fungal gnats’ traits and use some atoms they don’t like. 

These include lemon, peppermint, vanilla, lavender, eucalyptus, DEET, and citronella. Peppermint is the most effective of them all. But you can also use cinnamon, cedarwood, geranium, tea tree, rosemary, and garlic.

Make a homemade gnat repellent

You can conveniently make a homemade gnat repellent spray using dish soap. Make a mixture of dish soap, baking soda, water, and vinegar, and put the mixture into a spray bottle. You can also use apple cider vinegar for this purpose. 

Just use some dish soap (a few drops), a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or regular vinegar, and a tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of water. Just a few sprays of this mixture are effective against gnat infestation.

FAQs

How long does gnat repellent last?

It all depends upon the products that you are using. Most of them tend to last around 2 to 3 hours. But some gnat repellents can last well over 10 hours. But keep in mind that these long-lasting results also have the highest concentration of DEET to provide them with their longevity. 

Conclusion

The Bug Soother Spray is the best product that you will find for repelling gnats. It is highly effective against mosquitoes as well. It comes in a small bottle that you can conveniently carry on your outdoor trips. 

Remember that you will have to apply it every 2 to 3 hours to make it effective. It has a scent too that has hints of lemongrass and vanilla. Gnats don’t like both these scents at all.

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