Safer & Non-Toxic Bug Spray

Safer & Non-Toxic Bug Spray To Keep Insects Away

I’m sharing the safest bug sprays for your outdoor activities while also taking into consideration vector-borne diseases like West Nile, Zika and Lyme Disease. Whether you need a heavy-duty bug spray or a non-toxic option, I’ve found the safest and best brands of insect repellent for every outdoor situation.

spraying bug spray

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Whether you’re trying to avoid swarms of mosquitoes, deer ticks, or other insects, finding an insect repellant that meets your needs can be overwhelming. Where you live can affect what your risk is for contracting a vector-borne disease from an insect.

Although I try my hardest to live a low-tox lifestyle, when it comes to getting Lyme disease, Zika or West Nile Virus, I will use the most effective bug spray available, and that means using pesticides (like DEET) to protect myself and my family in certain situations. If we are at a soccer game at dusk with a creek nearby, we will apply traditional bug spray with DEET to avoid getting West Nile virus. If we are hiking back east, we apply DEET and take precautions like wearing long pants tucked into our socks to keep ticks from biting.

The Most Effective Bug Spray For High Risk Areas

DEET and picaridin are the most effective for high risk areas where there are concerns of vector-borne diseases like West Nile, Zika and Lyme Disease.

The EWG recommends using an EPA-registered repellent. When vector-borne disease is a concern, start with the repellents that have been shown in tests to be the most efficient in a range of situations.

DEET has been on the market for 60 years, and there have been no concrete cases of toxicity. Concerns have been raised about DEET causing neurological side effects in children, but a 2017 study found that this side effect is highly unlikely. Proper application of DEET definitely outweighs contracting a vector-borne disease transmitted from an insect. However, I’m not going to minimize the fact that this is a synthetic pesticide, and I wouldn’t want to douse myself with DEET every day. I definitely scrub it off my body right when I get home after I use it.

What’s the difference between DEET and Picaridin?

Known for its broad-spectrum efficacy, DEET is highly effective against a wide range of biting insects, including mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, chiggers, and biting flies. The duration of protection depends on the concentration of DEET in the product. Higher concentrations (up to 100%) provide longer protection, sometimes up to 10 hours.

Picaridin is a synthetic compound derived from the natural compound piperine, found in the same family as black pepper and is considered to be as effective as DEET. Picaridin is considered a safer active ingredient in comparison to DEET, effective in concentrations up to 20%. Picaridin works well against mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects. Higher concentrations (20% picaridin) offer protection for up to 8-10 hours.

Did You Know…
Insect repellents are regulated as pesticides- therefore, companies don’t have to disclose the inactive ingredients on the label.

What To Avoid When Buying Bug Spray

Look for unscented formulas to avoid endocrine disrupting chemicals like fragrance. Avoid aerosols, which can contain propellants like butane.

For lower risk situations, my family and I apply an essential oil bug spray.

Essential Oils To Repel Insects

A safer, non-toxic bug spray typically has essential oils as the active ingredient. Essential oils can also be effective at deterring insects. Lemon eucalyptus oil works better than citronella and almost as well as DEET to repel mosquitos. The concentration needs to be 30-40% oil of lemon eucalyptus in order to repel mosquitoes for at least 7 hours and deer ticks for least 6 hours. A 2020 study found that geraniol, the essential oil of geranium, has a higher mosquito repellency when compared to citronellol and citronellal.

Essential oils can still cause skin sensitivities and should be used with caution. Oil of lemon eucalyptus can cause severe but temporary eye injuries.

When Can My baby Use Bug Spray

When my oldest daughter was a baby, the risk of West Nile Virus was very high in the area that we lived in. We bought an insect net to cover her stroller when we took walks. I like this method because you don’t have to apply any bug spray directly on your baby.

If your baby does need bug spray, you can apply bug repellents that contain DEET or picaridin on babies 6 months and older. Children 3 years and older can use products that contain oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Safe Rules For Applying Bug Spray On Kids

Don’t apply bug spray directly on babies under 6 months of age.
Don’t apply oil of lemon eucalyptus to children under 3 years of age.
Adults should apply bug spray on kids under the age of 10, including essential oil based sprays.
Never spray a child’s face or open cuts with bug spray.
Try to have kids hold their breath while you are spraying so they don’t inhale any bug spray. It’s always best to spray in an open, well-ventilated area.
Sometimes you can get away with just spraying clothing with bug spray so the bug spray doesn’t come into contact with bare skin.
Higher concentrations of an active ingredient like DEET mean that it will protect you for a longer period of time.
Do a tick check even if you use bug spray.
Give your kids a shower when they are back inside and no longer need protection from bug spray. Use soapy warm water to remove the bug spray.

Beyond using bug spray, there are many natural ways to repel mosquitos from your yard. If you do get bitten, use a non-toxic anti-itch cream to relieve the swelling and discomfort.

From DEET to Picaridin to non-toxic essential oil bug spray, read on to discover the safest bug spray for your outdoor activity. The whole family can use the safer bug sprays listed below.

Bug Spray With DEET

OFF! Backyard Family Care Unscented 7% DEET Insect Repellent
Cost | $9.58 for 9 oz ($1.07 per ounce)
Active Ingredients | DEET
Main Benefit | Repels biting flies, gnats, ticks, chiggers, no-see-ums and mosquitoes
Highlights | This mosquito spray is formulated with 7% DEET, offering just the right level of protection for spending shorter amounts of time outdoors. You’ll get effective protection from mosquitoes and other insects with an unscented, non-greasy formula.
Inactive Ingredients | Ethanol, fragrance (2-methylbutyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, amyl salicylate, benzyl acetate, citronellol, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, coumarin, dipropylene glycol, geraniol, heliotropine, isopentyl salicylate, methyl hydrogenated rosinate, oils,orange-juice, p-menthan-8-yl acetate and aloe vera
Shop | OFF! Backyard Family Care Unscented 7% DEET Insect Repellent

Sawyer Family Controlled Release 20% DEET Insect Repellent
Cost | $9.99 for 4 oz ($2.50 per ounce)
Active Ingredients | DEET (20%)
Main Benefit | Repels Mosquitoes & Ticks
Highlights | This odorless formula offers long-lasting protection that lasts up to 8 hours to keep you protected from mosquito bites day or night.
Inactive Ingredients | Company never returned my email
Shop | Sawyer Family Controlled Release 20% DEET Insect Repellent

Bug Spray With Picaridin

OFF! Clean Feel Insect Repellent Spritz with 20% Picaridin
Cost | $9.99 for 4 oz ($2.50 per ounce)
Active Ingredients | Picaridin (20%)
Main Benefit | Repels Mosquitoes, Biting Flies & Ticks
Highlights | Long-lasting protection lasts up to 8 hours to keep you protected from mosquito bites day or night. Odorless formula.
Inactive Ingredients | Water, ethanol, citric acid
Shop | OFF! Clean Feel Insect Repellent Spritz with 20% Picaridin

Bug Spray With Essential Oils

Murphy’s Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent Spray
Cost | $9.99 for 4 oz ($2.50 per ounce)
Active Ingredients | Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (30%)
Main Benefit | Repels Mosquitoes & Ticks
Highlights | Harness the Power of Natural Plant-Based Ingredients with this natural insect repellent. Protects against mosquitoes for up to 6 hours and protects against ticks for up to 4 hours (deer ticks for up to 4 hours, as well as lone star and brown dog ticks for up to 8 hours)
Inactive Ingredients | Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (30%). Distilled Water and Corn Ethanol (70%)
Shop | Murphy’s Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent Spray

Kinfield Golden Hour Repellent
Cost | $38 for 6.75 oz ($5.63 per ounce)
Active Ingredients | Citronella Oil (10.00%), Lemongrass Oil (1.00%), Clove Oil
Main Benefit | Repels Mosquitoes
Highlights | This first-of-its-kind formula repels mosquitos with a unique strain of Indonesian citronella that’s more effective than any other they’ve found (they put it through independent testing). It smells amazing, too—a little bit citrus, a little bit vanilla.
Inactive Ingredients | Isopropyl Alcohol, Lauric Acid, Water, Vanillin
Shop | Kinfield Golden Hour Repellent

Badger Bug Spray
Cost | $19.99 for 4 oz ($2.50 per ounce)
Active Ingredients | Citronella & Lemongrass
Main Benefit | Repels Mosquitoes
Highlights | Repels with safe & effective Citronella, Rosemary, and Lemongrass. These pure essential oils naturally keep bugs, mosquitos, and insects away from you and your family
Ingredients | Organic Soybean Oil, Organic Castor Oil, Organic Citronella Oil, Organic Cedar Oil, Organic Lemongrass Oil, Organic Rosemary Oil, Organic Geranium Oil, Organic Peppermint Oil. Inactive Ingredients: Water, Organic Wintergreen Oil
Shop | Badger Bug Spray

Babyganics Natural Bug Repellant
Cost | $5.48 for 2 oz ($2.74 per ounce)
Active Ingredients | Rosemary Oil, Citronella Oil, Geranium Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Peppermint Oil, Lemongrass Oil
Main Benefit | Repels Mosquitoes
Highlights | Made with plant & essential oils of citronella, peppermint, rosemary, lemongrass and geranium
Ingredients | Soybean Oil 95.25% *, Rosemary Oil 1.5%, Citronella Oil 0.95%, Geranium Oil 0.75%, Cedarwood Oil 0.70%, Peppermint Oil 0.60%, Lemon Grass Oil 0.25% *Certified Organic Ingredient Unless otherwise specified
Shop | Babyganics Natural Bug Repellant

Yaya Organics Tick Ban + Squito Ban
Cost | $21.97 for 8 oz ($2.75 per ounce)
Active Ingredients | Rosemary, Cedarwood, Peppermint (tick), citronella, clove, cedarwood oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil (mosquito)
Main Benefit | Repels Mosquitoes and Ticks
Highlights | Made with pure, certified organic and non-GMO soybean and castor oil plus a mixture of natural oils. Fresh, herbal scents that you’ll love and the bugs will hate. Non-greasy spray for skin or clothing that won’t stain.
Ingredients | Tick Ban: water, organic soybean oil, organic castor oil, cedarwood oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, geranium oil, lemongrass oil, thyme oil; Squito Ban: water, organic soybean oil, organic castor oil, citronella, clove, cedarwood oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil
Shop | Yaya Organics Tick Ban + Squito Ban, Yaya Organics Baby Bug Ban

Sky Organics Organic Bug Spray
Cost | $19.99 for 4 oz ($5.00 per ounce)
Active Ingredients | Citronella Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Peppermint Leaf Oil
Main Benefit | Repels Insects (does not specify which ones)
Highlights | Made without DEET, alcohol and other harsh additives. Formulated with natural plant-based ingredients like citronella and lemongrass essential oils to repel bugs and insects the natural way.
Ingredients | Active ingredients: Soybean oil (23%), Castor oil (10%), Citronella oil (7%), Lemongrass oil (4%), Rosemary leaf oil (3%), Cedarwood) oil (2%), Peppermint leaf oil (2%); Inactive ingredients: Water 49%vv
Shop | Sky Organics Organic Bug Spray

California Baby Natural Bug Repellent
Cost | $12.99 for 2 oz ($6.50 per ounce)
Active Ingredients | Citronella Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Cedarwood Oil
Main Benefit | Repels Mosquitos and Insects (does not specify which ones)
Highlights | This DEET-free formula is safe for babies over 6 months. Safe for head-to-toe use.
Ingredients | Pure essential oils of citronella (5%), lemongrass (0.5%), cedar (0.5%), water, soap bark extract, vegetable glycerin
Shop | California Baby Natural Bug Repellent

Primally Pure Nature Spray
Cost | $14 for 2.5 oz ($5.60 per ounce)
Active Ingredients | Essential Oils of Organic Citronella, Wildcrafted Cedarwood, Organic Lemongrass, Organic Rosemary, Organic Geranium, Organic Peppermint and Wildcrafted Wintergreen
Main Benefit | Repels Mosquitos, ants, ticks and Insects (does not specify which ones)
Highlights | This natural mosquito repellent is made with nourishing + non-toxic ingredients. It’s free of DEET and full of organic ingredients that bugs can’t stand.
Ingredients | Organic Witch Hazel, Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil, Organic Castor Oil, Essential Oils of Organic Citronella, Wildcrafted Cedarwood, Organic Lemongrass, Organic Rosemary, Organic Geranium, Organic Peppermint and Wildcrafted Wintergreen, Organic Grape Alcohol
Shop | Primally Pure Nature Spray

Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelet
Cost | $8.99 for 9 ($0.99 per bracelet)
Active Ingredients | Geranium Oil, Citronella Oil and Lemongrass Oil
Main Benefit | Repels Mosquitoes
Highlights | DEET-Free & Powered By Essential Oils – Active ingredients derived from plants. Instant & Convenient . One Size Fits All – Stretchy, comfortable and adjustable. Suitable for kids and adults.
Active Ingredients | Essential oils applied on bracelet
Shop | Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelet

Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Patches
Cost | $15.99 for 180 patches ($0.09 per patch)
Active Ingredients | Citronella Oil and Peppermint Oil
Main Benefit | Repels Mosquitoes
Highlights | Put these stickers right on your clothes. DEET-Free & Powered by Essential Oils – Active ingredients derived from plants. Easy Peel & Stick – Comfortable and long-lasting. Made for the whole family – Suitable for kids and adults.
Active Ingredients | Essential oils applied on stickers
Shop | Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Patches

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Wear Sunscreen With Bug Spray?

I would try to avoid applying them together, but if you do have to wear both, apply the bug repellent first. Sunscreen ingredients can increase skin’s capacity to absorb other chemicals.

Tips For Avoiding Tick Bites

Tick exposure can occur year-round, but ticks are most active during warmer months, normally from April to September.
Avoid tall grass and brushy areas that are over-grown with vegetation.
Stay in the middle of the trails when hiking in the woods.
Wear light-colored clothing so the ticks can be easily seen.
Wear long pants, and tuck pants into your socks.
Wear closed-toe shoes.
Wear long-sleeved shirts.
Use a DEET-based insect repellent.
Inspect and examine yourself, your children, and pets for ticks after you’ve been outside.

Tips For Avoiding Mosquito Bites

Mosquito activity typically begins when the temperature reaches 50° F. The dusk to dawn hours are when most mosquito species in the U.S. increase activity.
Use an insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Apply the repellent to exposed skin, such as your ankles, feet, neck, ears, arms, and legs.
Wear light-colored, tightly woven clothing.
Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks, and tuck your shirt and socks into your pants.
Use mosquito netting whenever possible- use it on baby strollers and attach it to your gazebo or porch overhang.
Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or indoors where mosquitoes may be present.
Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
Discard standing water in your yard- empty water-holding containers like pails and buckets- if an item holds water for more than a week, and discard the water and scrub it with warm soapy water. Turn it over so it won’t catch more water.
Find more ways to naturally repel mosquitos from your yard or patio here.