Picaridin

We went to Belize and got absolutely eaten alive by mosquitoes at first. I tried another brand with picaridin and it honestly didn’t help at all—we were still covered in bites. Once we switched to Sawyer, the difference was immediate. This stuff actually works, and I wish we had started with it from day one. It’s marketed as non-greasy, but in my opinion it does feel a little greasy—and I think that’s what makes it work so well. The bugs stayed away, including no-see-ums, which was huge for us. No strong smell, no fragrance, and it didn’t bother our skin at all. We used it daily for outdoor activities, walking around, and evenings outside, and it held up really well. One thing to note: if you’re traveling somewhere buggy like Belize, a single bottle will only last about 3–4 days for two people, so plan accordingly and pack extra. Bottom line: If mosquitoes love you, skip the trial-and-error and go straight to Sawyer. It works.

This stuff is awesome. We purchased some waterfront land on the ocean in Va. and have an off-grid camp set up while we slowly build and upgrade the property into our eventual retirement home/farm. The tick, mosquito, fly and gnat populations in this area are insane. I despise ticks especially since one tried to kill me by infecting me with tick fever when I was 5 years old and another gave my son Lymes Disease and put him in intensive care when he was also 5. Both of us were sent to John's Hopkins as 5 year olds because of ticks. I also hate bugspray. It's expensive, the cans of spray don't last long enough and if you leave them sit they'll eventually become empty on their own so stocking up doesn't help much. I started looking for another solution and in 2021 I bought 1 quart of this Picaridin cream. I'm still using the same quart in 2024. Full disclosure, I was the only one in my family that had been using it because everyone else is lazy. You can't just spray yourself real quick and be done. You need to put it on like sunscreen but it doesn't take that much. I'm 6'-2" and 240lbs. I use maybe 2 1/2 squirts of the pump to cover my feet, legs, arms, neck and head. I even rub a little through my hair. I spray my shirt with some form of DEET before I put it on. That's it. It lasts pretty much all day, except the mosquitoes will get me through my shirt later in the day because the DEET will wear off. My family will go through several cans of bugspray to my 2 squirts of Picaridin. The last trip out they finally realized that bugspray actually kinda sucks. So I'm on here buying another quart because I don't want to run out. I bought some cheap rubber gloves from Harbor Freight that I've started wearing when I put on the cream so I'm not eating it off my fingers later in the day. It doesn't wash off really easy which is a good thing, especially if you are a sweater or get in the water. Getting in the water will deminish it's effectiveness but I think it sticks on to you better than spray without a doubt. This stuff also dries quickly, the feeling of it on your skin is much more comfortable than bugspray and it doesn't smell nearly as bad. Mosquitoes absolutely hate it. I've watched them turn complete 180's as soon as they make contact with me. Gnats will land on you but they will not bite. They can still be pretty annoying if you are fishing at night because they'll swarm and tickle you but they do the same with all the other repellants. It repels chiggers and ticks great but if you are spending time in the places I do, you still need to check your underwear band and the other nooks and crannies down in that area where you didn't apply anything. The value this stuff brings is undeniable. $50 for a quart that could last you years as opposed to an $8 can of OFF that will last 1 person a couple days at best and that is assuming you use it up before it dries up on its own, unused. That's it. It is good stuff. In my opinion, and I think I would know, it is more effective, last longer, feels cleaner and is way more affordable then the other altermatives. If you get into the outdoors a lot, buy a quart. You won't regret it.

Pretty good bug spray. I used this when I went to Costa Rica and it worked well. I did still get some bites but I found I had significantly less in comparison to people using other bug sprays. I think it was pretty affective for a non deet bug spray. It also was travel size so I could take it as a carry on. I had to use it pretty frequently and the two bottles almost lasted my whole trip which was about 3 weeks. Not oily at all and the smell is neutral. I liked it.

The BEST product out there for repelling mosquitos and biting gnats. We're in coastal Mississippi where all the live oak trees are protected, so there are seasons you wouldn't even want to be outside if it were not for this product! While I don't like the "coated" feel after applying this, it does last for the better part of the day. Highly recommend showering before bed so you don't feel tacky. This also comes as a spray, but it leaves a greasy residue that I don't want on my boat seats, so this lotion is the answer! Bite fee comfort for all day exploring!

TLDR: Sawyer's 20% Picaridin spray is a highly effective, non-greasy, and virtually odorless DEET alternative. It provides up to 12 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks, is safe for clothing and gear, and comes in a convenient, travel-friendly 3-ounce pump bottle. I purchased the Sawyer Picaridin spray for an extended backpacking trip, specifically because I wanted a highly effective repellent that would not damage my synthetic gear or have the harsh odor of DEET. The 20% Picaridin formula is the star here. It's a synthetic replica of a natural compound found in pepper plants and is widely recognized as one of the best alternatives to DEET. The performance against mosquitoes was excellent; they seemed to simply avoid landing on my skin. The protection is advertised to last up to 12 hours against mosquitoes and ticks and up to 8 hours against biting flies and gnats. While heavy sweating might necessitate a lighter reapplication after several hours, I found the initial spray held up remarkably well throughout the day's hiking. The spray is non-greasy and has a virtually unnoticeable, mild citrus scent that quickly evaporates. This makes it far more comfortable to wear than oily, strong-smelling traditional repellents. Crucially, it is safe for use on all clothing and gear, including synthetic fabrics, backpacks, and plastics, eliminating the worry of damaging expensive equipment. The 3-ounce pump bottle is TSA-friendly for travel and easy to pack. Pros Long-Lasting Protection: Effective for up to 12 hours against mosquitoes and ticks, and 8 hours against biting flies, gnats, and chiggers. Gear-Safe Formula: Will not damage plastics, synthetic fabrics, or other outdoor equipment like DEET can. Comfortable Wear: Non-greasy and has a very mild, virtually odorless scent that quickly dissipates. Highly Effective: 20% Picaridin is a top-rated, proven ingredient comparable to DEET in efficacy against a wide range of pests. Travel-Friendly Size: The 3-ounce pump bottle is ideal for carry-on luggage and is easy to store. Cons Reapplication in Heat: Heavy sweating may require reapplication sooner than the stated 12 hours. Tick Efficacy: While effective against ticks, some users prefer to pair it with Permethrin for clothing for maximum tick defense. Verdict This is a clear 5-star winner for outdoor enthusiasts. The Sawyer 20% Picaridin spray offers superior protection without the drawbacks of traditional repellents—no harsh smell, no greasy feel, and no damage to gear. It’s perfect for long days on the trail, fishing, or camping, and the twin pack of 3-ounce bottles makes it excellent for travel and ensuring you always have a backup. It is the definitive modern choice for insect defense.

This is my favorite bug repellent as it’s not greasy and doesn’t remove finish off of plastics like the Off Deep Woods does. Repels mosquitoes, ticks, gnats and chiggers very well and does not make you sneeze 500 times during application. I recommend it to everyone especially to anyone hunting or who spends quite a few days in or around the woods or marshy areas.

No lie, this stuff works! I am a magnet for noseeums and I get eaten alive every year when visiting Southwest Florida for the winter holidays. So much so, that I wound up at Urgent Care from the sheer volume of bites last year. I read about this product and decided to give it a try and let me say, it performed amazingly. Not a single bite to my arms or legs. This lotion was amazing and I also purchased the accompanying spray version for added protection. If noseeums ruin your vacation, this is your answer. Great product and reasonably priced as well. Plus, it’s very low scent and not overly greasy or sticky like other products.

I have purchased this item several times after trying many other bug repellent products. This one definitely worked the best. The three stars is because I have found it will cause staining on surfaces. I started spraying it on me in our garage and I found there were white specks on my car paint that do not come off. I then switched to spraying myself on our back pool patio, and then I noticed white staining on the patio concrete surface, which we have so far been unable to remove. I also noted that one party guest had sprayed himself and sat in one of our patio chairs, and I now see discoloration on the arms of that particular chair. I have seen another post that it has killed grass, so I will probably continue to use the product since bugs love me, but trying to find a place to apply it is a challenge.