

EWG’s 2018 Guide to Bug Repellents : Top Repellent Choices
Top Choices
Repellent Chemical |
General Effectiveness* |
Pros* |
Cons* |
Picaridin |
A 5-10% concentration can protect against ticks and mosquitoes for five to 12 hours. A 20% concentration product provides all-day protection from mosquitoes and ticks. |
* Odorless |
*Most recently EPA-approved active ingredient, which means less time on the market compared to other ingredients *Less extensive safety testing than DEET
|
DEET |
A less than 10% concentration can protect against ticks and mosquitos for one to two hours. A 20 to 30% concentration product provides all-day protection from mosquitoes and ticks. |
* Effective against wide range of pests |
* Need to limit concentration used on children |
IR3535 |
A 20% concentration can provide eight hours of mosquito protection and six to 12 hours of tick protection. |
* Structurally similar to amino acid alanine |
* Concentrations less than 10% may not be effective
|
* The general effectiveness, pros and cons columns in the table refer generically to products formulated with the ingredient listed, and do not make explicit claims on the quality or performance of any specific product. Effectiveness estimates are drawn from peer- reviewed literature and EPA registration approvals for labeling. Actual protection time varies in field tests. Experiment to see which products work for you to repel bugs in your area.
Other Good Repellent Choices
Repellent Chemical |
General Effectiveness* |
Pros* |
Cons* |
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus with enhanced PMD concentration
|
30% concentration (19% PMD) provides up to six hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks.
|
* Most effective botanical ingredient
|
* Not for use on children 3 and younger
|
PMD |
10% provides two hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks. |
* Lower allergen concern than botanical-based product |
* Not for use on children 3 and younger |
2-undecanone (Methyl Nonyl Ketone) |
7.5% concentration offers four hours of mosquito and two hours of tick protection. |
* As effective as DEET in some tests |
* Limited product options
|
* The general effectiveness, pros and cons columns in the table refer generically to products formulated with the ingredient listed and do not make explicit claims on the quality or performance of any specific product. Effectiveness estimates are drawn from peer- reviewed literature and EPA registration approvals for labeling. Actual protection time varies in field tests. Experiment to see which products work for you to repel bugs in your area.