Target Pests
Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, chiggers, gnats, no-see-ums. Effectiveness varies significantly by product and concentration.
Products and Brand Names
See individual product pages for specific brand recommendations: DEET | Picaridin | OLE | Citronella
Safety and Precautions
All CDC-recommended repellents (DEET, picaridin, OLE, IR3535) have excellent safety records when used as directed. Citronella is the safest but least effective option.
Pro Tips
The definitive comparison:
| Factor | DEET | Picaridin | OLE/PMD | Citronella |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDC Recommended | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Mosquito protection | Excellent (8+ hrs at 30%) | Excellent (8-14 hrs at 20%) | Good (6 hrs at 30%) | Fair (1-2 hrs) |
| Tick protection | Good | Good at 20% | Good | Poor |
| Odor | Chemical smell | Nearly odorless | Pleasant lemon | Pleasant citrus |
| Skin feel | Oily/sticky | Light, non-greasy | Light | Light |
| Damages gear | Yes (plastics, synthetics) | No | No | No |
| Children | 2+ months (30% max) | 2+ months | 3+ years only | Any age |
| Plant-based | No (synthetic) | No (synthetic) | Yes | Yes |
| Malaria/tropical use | Gold standard | Recommended | Limited data | Not recommended |
| Cost per hour of protection | Low | Low | Moderate | High (frequent reapply) |
Bottom line recommendations:
Best overall: Picaridin 20% - excellent protection, odorless, no gear damage, same efficacy as DEET. Our top recommendation for most people.
Best for extreme conditions: DEET 25-30% - the most researched repellent in history with decades of tropical disease prevention data. Choose this for travel to malaria/dengue zones.
Best natural option: Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus 30% - the only plant-based repellent CDC-recommended as comparable to synthetic options. Not for children under 3.
Best for casual use: Citronella candles and spatial repellents for backyard entertaining where complete protection is not critical.
Maximum protection (outdoor workers, endemic areas): Picaridin or DEET on skin + permethrin-treated clothing. This combination is the CDC/military standard. See our permethrin clothing guide.