The best tick repellents for humans are those containing the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, Permethrin (for clothing), or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE). Here's a concise comparison of top options:
Repellent Type| Active Ingredient| Use| Protection Duration| Notes
---|---|---|---|---
Sawyer Picaridin Lotion/Spray| 20% Picaridin| Skin| Up to 12-14 hours|
Effective, non-greasy, safe for family, odorless
Ben's 30% DEET| 30% DEET| Skin| Up to 12 hours| CDC recommended minimum
DEET concentration, water-based
OFF! Deep Woods V| 25% DEET| Skin| Up to 8 hours| Strong scent, long-
lasting protection
Sawyer Permethrin Spray| Permethrin| Clothing/Gear| Up to 6 weeks or 6
washes| Treat clothing/gear, highly effective at killing ticks
Natural Options (e.g., Nantucket Spider)| Essential oils| Skin| Varies|
Natural, essential oil-based, less tested for efficacy
Key points:
- DEET is proven to be the most effective tick repellent on skin.
- Picaridin is nearly as effective as DEET, with less odor and is safe for children.
- Permethrin is for treating clothing and gear, not skin, and provides long-lasting protection.
- The CDC recommends using EPA-registered repellents with DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or OLE for best protection.
- For maximum protection, combine skin repellent (DEET or Picaridin) with permethrin-treated clothing.
For most effective tick bite prevention, use a combination of permethrin- treated clothing and a skin repellent with DEET or Picaridin.
