Best Bug Spray: Great Insect Repellents for Outdoor Adventure

Whether you're hiking, camping, or spending time on the water, bugs are unavoidable in the outdoors. And there's no surer way to ruin an outdoor adventure than being eaten alive by insects. Who among us hasn't been swarmed while camping or backpacking?

Bug bites are not only annoying, but they can also be dangerous. Mosquitoes carry everything from the West Nile virus to Malaria, and ticks can carry Lyme Disease.

To keep the bugs from biting, you need an effective bug repellent. We've done the research for you, rounding up the best bug sprays and lotions on the market. Here you'll find everything from the best all-around bug spray to our favorite mosquito repellent. We compare the pros and cons of each repellent to help you make an informed decision.

Next time you're planning an outdoor adventure, add one of these tick and insect repellents to your packing list. It could make or break your trip!

Read all of the top bug spray picks, written by Brandon Fralic here.

LAST UPDATED

October 28, 2024

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Brandon Fralic

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Much of his work centers around telling stories of underserved voices. He documents indigenous stories, especially up in the Arctic, and stories from the BIPOC community that revolve around their connection to the outdoors.

Pro Photo Supply Retail

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Get clean water during your adventures with this ultralight filter that removes 99.99999% of bacteria such as salmonella, cholera, leptospirosis, and e. Coli. It also removes 99.99999% of protozoa!

Derek Rasmussen
Marketing Director at Outdoor Vitals

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Its a project where residents are given buckets that connect with water filter, a Sawyer PointONE model, that is designed to last over 20 years, effectively removing harmful bacteria, parasites, and protozoa.

Judy Wilson
Contributing Writer