Sawyer Non-Greasy Unscented Mosquito Repellent

In many places, mosquitoes are a fact of life in the summer months. Whether you just want to escape pesky bites in your backyard or are avoiding vector-borne diseases such as West Nile and Lyme disease in the great outdoors, a good mosquito repellent will keep you and your family covered.

When choosing between different ingredients and the various methods of application — from lotions to sprays to bracelets — the options for insect repellent can be overwhelming.

Sprays and lotions are assured to stick with you, and they are effective. Many dry well and won’t leave behind a residue, but some can leave you feeling sticky in the summer heat.

DEET and picaridin sprays and lotions have proven efficacy against mosquitoes and ticks. If these are a concern — or if you’re traveling to an area where you could be exposed to malaria or other vector-borne diseases — these chemicals provide a long-lasting way to avoid bites. However, while DEET and picaridin are really effective when you need protection, you might want a lighter repellent for other times.

Essential oil-based sprays provide some protection, but they’re usually not as long-lasting as chemical options.

Incense is a classic repellent choice for patios and decks, and the smell of citrus and herbs can be pleasant. However, being surrounded by smoke isn’t always enjoyable, and this sort of repellent is only effective in the immediate area.

Wristbands are designed to work similar to perfume. By remaining in contact with your skin, the oils and smells are absorbed into your bloodstream in small amounts and distributed throughout the rest of your body, where you sweat them out.

It’s best to find the delivery method and ingredients you’re most comfortable with, and that suit your needs.

• DEET has been studied widely and is believed to be safe and most effective at levels between 30% and 45%, but it can be hard to find sprays in that exact concentration range.
• Be careful when applying DEET or handling items with the spray on your hands. It will melt certain plastics and synthetic fabrics, sometimes permanently softening them.
• Lemon eucalyptus has been proven to be effective in concentrations between 30% and 50%, but again, the trick is finding those concentrations on the market.
• There have been a few allergic reactions recorded to lemon eucalyptus repellent, but the odds of this happening are low.
• Picaridin is a chemical derived from pepper plants. Sprays of 20% concentration can be effective against mosquitoes, ticks and flies. Unlike DEET, picaridin won’t break down certain materials, so it’s safe to spray on clothing. As with all of these options, keep this repellent away from your eyes and mouth.
• Botanicals such as peppermint, lavender and lemons have been used for centuries as insect deterrents, but modern studies don’t often rate them as highly as alternatives.