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Protect yourself before going outside.
By Aly Walansky — Written on Oct 27, 2019
Bug bites aren't just annoying and potentially itchy and painful, they are sometimes pretty dangerous. Tick bites can lead to scary diseases (Lyme disease, black fever, recurrent typhoid, tick-borne paralysis and tularemia), and the best protection is being prepared.
That means a good offense in the form of a tick repellent. These come in the form of a spray, cream, or even another form entirely. Tick repellents usually include ingredients like DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or Permethrin.
The most important decision of all is to be ready in the event you encounter ticks, perhaps in your very own backyard. To help protect you, here are the best tick repellent sprays, at all prices.
1. BugBand Insect Repellent Towel
Keep yourself safe and comfortable with the line of DEET-free BugBand Insect Repellents. A handy and easy-to-use method of applying Geraniol to insect repellent is safe. Towelettes allow for exact application of lotion on exposed skin.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
2. Insect Shield Sport Crew Sock
This shield repels mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and midges (including those that can carry dangerous diseases). Insect Shield Repellent Apparel and Gear are revolutionary products designed to provide long-lasting, effective and convenient insect protection.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
3. Nantucket Extra Strength Tick Repellent
Organic essential oils of clove, geranium, peppermint, cedarwood, spearmint, rosemary and cinnamon, this repellent has a vanilla spice scent. Distilled water, vegetable glycerin and natural vanilla are also part of the ingredients.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
4. Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent
This spray is effective against the Yellow Fever Mosquito, which can transmit the Zika Virus. This insect-killing repellent can be used on clothing, hats, and waders, and protects against ticks, chiggers, mites and mosquitoes; it's as effective as 100 percent DEET.
(Walmart, $5.92)
5. Natrapel Aerosol Eco Spray
This CDC recommended formula of 20 percent Picaridin is the recommended concentration to guard against diseases transmitted by insects. This spray is easy to apply and easy on the air, delivering even, continuous spray without releasing harmful aerosols.
(Target, $6.99)
6. Repel Sportsmen Max Formula Lotion
Sportsmen Max Formula repellents contain a higher DEET concentration to provide you with the long-lasting protection you need in the great outdoors. This is one of the highest DEET concentrations available in an aerosol.
(Walmart, $4.97)
7. OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent
Get long-lasting protection from mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats and chiggers.
(Walmart, $5.88)
8. Coleman Skin Smart Insect Repellent
DEET-free active ingredient, IR3535, is tough on insects, but gentle on your skin. SkinSmart formula creates odorless bug spray to protect from vector-borne diseases such as Lyme disease.
(Walmart, $5.41)
9. Bull Frog Mosquito Coast Insect Repellent SPF 30
This repellent is a 2-in-1 sun and insect protection. Bull frog mosquito coast spray sunblock offers 8 hours of protection.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
10. Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
This repels mosquitoes that may transmit the Chikungunya, Zika, Dengue and West Nile viruses. Effective, naturally based insect protection, it repels mosquitoes for up to 6 hours.
(Walmart, $4.49)
11. Yaya Organics All Natural Extra Strength Tick Repellent
Repel ticks with this extra strength formula containing therapeutic grade essential oils of cedarwood, peppermint, rosemary, geranium, lemongrass and thyme, and certified organic castor and soybean oils.
(Walmart, $9.95)
12. Wondercide Natural Deet-Free Mosquito and Insect Repellent Spray
A preventative treatment, this naturally-derived spray is a natural mosquito, flea and tick repeller, and will kill and repel hundreds of other common pests. Safe for infants, babies, toddlers, kids and pets, yet powerful enough to fully eliminate pests on the skin.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
13. Ben's 100 DEET Repellent
Get around-the-clock performance with 10 hours of protection from a single application. You'll get maximum protection with no filler for areas of maximum infestation.
(Walmart, $9.98)
14. BugBaffler Tick Gaiters
Pull-on gaiters are made from fine netting, preventing ticks, mosquitoes and other bugs from crawling up or flying inside pant legs. So, you can get out in the garden or walk in the woods without worry.
(Target, $11.95)
15. OFF! Bite & Itch Relief Pen
This provides temporary relief from irritation caused by mosquitoes, bees, wasps, ticks, hornets, ants, fire ants, deer flies, sand fleas, horse flies, and chiggers.
(Target, $5.99)
16. Hello Bello Bug Spray
Made with natural essential oils, it’s hypoallergenic, non-irritating and effective for adults, kids, and animals (when used as directed). In addition to being vegan and cruelty-free with no terrible, toxic stinkiness, it’s free of DEET, synthetic fragrances, phthalates and parabens.
(Walmart, $7.98)
17. Ortho Home Defense Backyard Mosquito and Bug Killer
Easily connect this to a hose and protect a lawn and landscape from mosquitoes. Simply spray according to label directions, and start seeing results within minutes.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
18. Sawyer Products Premium Repellant with Picaridin
When applied directly to skin, it and can last up to 8 hours with a single application. Because it's naturally DEET-free, it can be used on the entire family, including on children as young as 6 months and during pregnancy.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
19. Healing Solutions Garlic Essential Oil
Garlic doesn't just repel vampires, it can also repel ticks and mosquitos. What sets Healing Solutions Essential Oils apart is superior cultivation of ingredients, combined with superior distillation and bottling care process.
(Check prices and reviews on Amazon)
20. Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Pump Spray
This spray repels a broad spectrum of biting insects, including mosquitoes, deer ticks, gnats, no-seeums, sand flies and biting midges. It also repels deer ticks that may transmit Lyme Disease. However, it needs to be washed off when coming in from the outdoors.
(Walmart, $26.99)
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Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her.
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