Bug spray
Every product in this category we have reviewed, and where each one stands with us. We don’t sell anything: add the ones you want to a list, then send them all to your Amazon cart or buy each one where it’s sold. In a hurry? The cheat sheet below is the short list.
- Reviewed
- 12
- On a cheat sheet
- 10
- Brands
- 7
Safer bug repellent, on one page
A winner for each way people buy it, then what to skip. Among the DEET-free options we list, two are not interchangeable.
5 winners1 thing to skip10 of these products are on it
- Plant-derived, EPA-registered protection (ages 3 and up)
Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Mosquito & Insect Re…Repel plant-based lemon eucalyptus: the plant-derived active we list, with EPA-registered efficacy data behind it. Not for children under three. - Same active, lower price
Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Mosquito & Insect Repellent Spr…Cutter lemon eucalyptus: the same active ingredient at a much lower price, under the same EPA product registration as Repel (305-62; Cutter's distributor number is 305-62-121). Not for under-threes. - Same active, every inert named
Natrapel Lemon Eucalyptus Tick & Insect RepellentNatrapel lemon eucalyptus: 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus, EPA-registered as an alternate brand name on Reg. No. 84878-2. The EPA-filed label reads "Other Ingredients — 70.0%"; Natrapel's own page names them as water, ethanol and isopropanol. Not for under-threes. - Short exposures
Badger Bug Repellent TinBadger bug repellent tin: a citronella-family balm for a short evening outside. FIFRA 25(b) exempt, so every ingredient is named but there is no registered efficacy data. For under-threes, netting and long sleeves come first; ask your pediatrician before using any balm. - Short exposures, in a spray
Quantum Health Buzz Away Extreme Mosquito & Tick DEET-F…Buzz Away Extreme, 4 oz: a botanical spray that names every ingredient, with geraniol (6%) leading five listed actives. Every ingredient is on EPA's FIFRA 25(b) minimum-risk lists, and it carries no EPA registration number, so there is no registered efficacy data behind it. Its directions say to reapply continuously while outdoors, so it suits a short evening, not a long hike. The label says to apply to children only with adult supervision and never to their hands; for under-threes, netting and long sleeves come first.
SkipDEET, if you want an EPA-registered option that isn't DEET
What to know about bug spray
The full guide →Among the DEET-free options we list, two are not equivalent. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is EPA-registered and holds for hours; citronella-family balms are pleasant, gentle and short-lived. One hard rule: OLE is not for children under three — the Repel and Cutter label and the CDC both say so, and we hold it for every OLE product — so for babies and toddlers physical protection does the work.
Common risks
- OLE on any child under three — the Repel and Cutter label and the CDC both say not to, and we hold it for every OLE product
- Treating a pleasant botanical spray as equivalent to DEET on a long hike
- Assuming DEET-free means less effective — that stopped being true
What to look for
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus, for DEET-free protection that holds for hours — ages 3 and up
- Citronella-family balms for a short evening outside, or for children too young for OLE
- Physical protection — covering up — for babies and toddlers
The free change
Under three, physical protection does the work — cover up before you spray.
Emptying standing water once a week beats every product on the page — plant saucers, buckets, watering cans, gutters.
Brands in this category
7 brands. The ones with a product on a cheat sheet come first.Every brand, A–Z →
12 reviewed safer bug sprays & repellents
Cheat sheet winners first- Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Mosquito & Insect Repellent 4 Oz★ Plant-derived, EPA-registered protection (ages 3 and up)Repel plant-based lemon eucalyptus: the plant-derived active we list, with EPA-registered efficacy data behind it. Not for children under three.Why it won, on the cheat sheet →Amazon
- Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Mosquito & Insect Repellent Spray★ Same active, lower priceCutter lemon eucalyptus: the same active ingredient at a much lower price, under the same EPA product registration as Repel (305-62; Cutter's distributor number is 305-62-121). Not for under-threes.Why it won, on the cheat sheet →Amazon
- Natrapel Lemon Eucalyptus Tick & Insect Repellent★ Same active, every inert namedNatrapel lemon eucalyptus: 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus, EPA-registered as an alternate brand name on Reg. No. 84878-2. The EPA-filed label reads "Other Ingredients — 70.0%"; Natrapel's own page names them as water, ethanol and isopropanol. Not for under-threes.Why it won, on the cheat sheet →Amazon
- Badger Bug Repellent Tin★ Short exposuresBadger bug repellent tin: a citronella-family balm for a short evening outside. FIFRA 25(b) exempt, so every ingredient is named but there is no registered efficacy data. For under-threes, netting and long sleeves come first; ask your pediatrician before using any balm.Why it won, on the cheat sheet →Amazon Badger site
- Quantum Health Buzz Away Extreme Mosquito & Tick DEET-Free Repellent★ Short exposures, in a sprayBuzz Away Extreme, 4 oz: a botanical spray that names every ingredient, with geraniol (6%) leading five listed actives. Every ingredient is on EPA's FIFRA 25(b) minimum-risk lists, and it carries no EPA registration number, so there is no registered efficacy data behind it. Its directions say to reapply continuously while outdoors, so it suits a short evening, not a long hike. The label says to apply to children only with adult supervision and never to their hands; for under-threes, netting and long sleeves come first.Why it won, on the cheat sheet →Amazon
Badger Bug Repellent StickOn a cheat sheetSafer bug repellentAmazon Badger site 
Badger Bug Spray, DEET-Free CitronellaOn a cheat sheetSafer bug repellentAmazon Badger site 
Murphy's Naturals Mosquito & Tick Bug Repellent SprayOn a cheat sheetSafer bug repellentAmazon 
Murphy's Naturals Mosquito Repellent BalmOn a cheat sheetSafer bug repellentAmazon 
OFF! Clean Feel Insect Repellent Clear Gel with 20% PicaridinOn a cheat sheetSafer bug repellentAmazon 
OFF! Botanicals Plant-Based Insect & Mosquito Repellent Bug SprayA pick in our guideDEET-Free Bug Spray, Sorted by Active Ingredient, and What Each Label SaysAmazon 
Badger Anti Bug Balm Organic Certified Natural Mosquito Repellent 0.75ozReviewedWe looked at it; it is not one of our current picks.Amazon Badger site
Bug spray: common questions
What is the most effective DEET-free repellent?
The CDC lists several EPA-registered options and does not rank them, so we cannot name one winner: picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) and PMD, alongside DEET. EPA registration means the maker gave EPA effectiveness data. OLE is the plant-derived one we list, with efficacy data in the same conversation as lower-concentration DEET. The CDC says not to use OLE or PMD products on children under 3 years old, and we hold to that. Our one picaridin pick is OFF! Clean Feel Clear Gel, the only picaridin product we read that names every other ingredient with no PEG or fragrance among them; the others, and why, are on our DEET-free bug spray page.
Can I use oil of lemon eucalyptus on a baby?
No — OLE is not for children under three. The Repel and Cutter label says so, the CDC says so, and we hold the same rule for every OLE product here. For babies and toddlers, physical protection does the work.
Is DEET actually dangerous?
It is the most studied repellent there is and regulators consider it safe used as directed. Many families still prefer to avoid it; the useful news is that avoiding it no longer costs you effectiveness.