🧪 Active Ingredient Profile

Picaridin Insect Repellent

Synthetic Repellent

Picaridin is a newer alternative to DEET that's odorless, non-greasy, and won't damage plastics or fabrics. Developed by Bayer in the 1990s and widely used in Europe and Australia before US registration in 2005. CDC recommends it as equally effective to DEET for mosquito and tick prevention.

🧪
Classification
Synthetic Repellent
EPA Signal Word
Caution
Mode of Action
Blocks insect olfactory receptors — similar to DEET but different chemistry
⚖️ Educational use only. Always read and follow the full product label — the label is the law under FIFRA. Full disclaimer → | ⚗️ Mixing Calculator →

🎯 Target Pests

Mosquitoes (all species), ticks, biting flies, chiggers, sand flies, gnats, no-see-ums. Performance against ticks improves at 20% concentration. As effective as DEET at equivalent concentrations.

🏷️ Common Products & Brand Names

Sawyer Picaridin (20%), Natrapel (20% picaridin), Ranger Ready (20%), OFF! Clean Feel (not DEET — contains picaridin in some formulations). Available as spray, lotion, and wipes.

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

Excellent safety profile — even better skin tolerance than DEET. Odorless and non-greasy. Does NOT damage plastics, synthetic fabrics, sunglasses, or fishing line. Safe for use on children over 2 months (same as DEET). No skin irritation issues reported in extensive testing.

✅ Preferred for: People who dislike DEET's smell/feel, gear protection (won't damage equipment), frequent reapplication situations, and children.
Example
0.5 oz
per gallon
⚗️ Mixing Calculator
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💡 Pro Tips & Best Practices

Key advantage: Will not damage Gore-Tex, Lycra, spandex, or any synthetic fabric. DEET will. For outdoor athletes and gear-conscious users, picaridin is the clear choice.

Concentration matters: Use 20% picaridin for tick protection. Lower concentrations (5-10%) work for mosquitoes but may not fully protect against ticks.

Duration: 20% picaridin provides 8-14 hours of mosquito protection and 8 hours of tick protection — comparable to 20-30% DEET.

🐛 Pests This Treats — Learn More

Click any pest to view its full identification guide, biology, and treatment options.

🐛 Chiggers → 🐛 Flies → 🐛 Gnats → 🐛 Mosquito → 🐛 No-See-Ums → 🐛 Scales → 🐛 Ticks →

🌿 Environmental & Ecological Impact

🐝 Bees / PollinatorsLOW
🐟 Fish / Aquatic LifeLOW
🐦 BirdsLOW
🐕 Mammals / PetsLOW
🦐 Aquatic InvertebratesLOW
💡 Applied to skin/clothing. No environmental concerns at use concentrations. Does not damage plastics or fabrics.

⏱️ Residual & Re-entry Timeline

🔹
Apply
Follow label mixing and application rates
🔸
Re-entry: N/A — applied to skin
Keep people and pets out of treated area
🟢
Effective period: 4–14 hours (on skin)
Active residual — killing or repelling target pests
🔄
Reapply
Re-treat when pest activity returns or residual expires

🔄 Alternatives & Related Products

Same chemical class or different approaches to the same pests.

🔄
Deet
Same class: Repellent
 ↔️
Pyrethrin
Different approach: Botanical Pyrethrin
 ↔️
Boric Acid
Different approach: Inorganic

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is picaridin safe for pets?
Follow the product label. Keep pets out of treated areas until completely dried (2–4 hours for sprays). Once dry, treated surfaces pose minimal risk to dogs and cats.
Q: Can I use picaridin indoors?
This is a personal repellent applied to skin or clothing — usable anywhere.
Q: How long does picaridin last after application?
Residual varies by formulation, surface type, weather, and UV exposure. Indoor applications last longer than outdoor. Check the product label for re-application intervals.
Q: What should I do if exposed?
Remove contaminated clothing, wash skin with soap and water. For eye contact, rinse 15–20 minutes. For ingestion or severe symptoms, call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222). Have the product label available.

📋 Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

📋

Picaridin Insect Repellent — Safety Data Sheet

View the official SDS document for this product directly on the CDMS label database.

📄 View SDS on CDMS → 🏛 Search EPA Label Database →
Picaridin Insect Repellent Safety Data Sheet page 1
📄 Picaridin Insect Repellent — Safety Data Sheet · View the complete SDS document above or download below
📄 CDMS Label & SDS Database 📄 EPA Label Search
💡 Did you know? Picaridin was modeled after piperine, the compound that makes black pepper spicy. It's the most popular repellent in Europe and Australia, and the WHO recommends it alongside DEET for malaria prevention.
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Reviewed by Derek GiordanoContent reviewed by a licensed pest management professional. Last reviewed: April 2026.
📚 Sources: EPA Pesticide Labels · NPIC Pesticide Info
Published: Jan 1, 2025 · Updated: Apr 7, 2026