10 Best Eco-Friendly Bug Sprays in 2022 (Repel, Babyganics, and More)
Eco-friendly bug sprays are becoming increasingly common. In fact, you can even find all-natural, organic sprays that actually work. In this guide, we’ll show you what to look for when choosing a more eco-friendly bug spray. We’ve also got a list of our 10 favorites to help you get started - our number one pick was Sawyer's highly effective premium repellent.
Quick List - Top Eco-Friendly Bug Sprays
Natrapel
Super Long-Lasting Against a Huge Range of Bugs
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Table of Contents
- Why You Can Trust Us
- 10 Best Eco-Friendly Bug Sprays Ranking
- No. 1Sawyer Products | Premium Insect Repellent｜4 oz.
- No. 2Natrapel | 12-Hour Mosquito, Tick, and Insect Repellent｜3.4 oz.
- No. 3Avon | Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard + Picaridin｜4 oz.
- No. 4Murphy’s Naturals | Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent｜4 oz.
- No. 5Repel | Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent｜4 oz.
- 5 more products
- How to Properly Apply Bug Spray
- More Goods for the Outdoors
Why You Can Trust Us
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How to Choose Eco-Friendly Bug Sprays
Look For Lemon Eucalyptus and Picaridin
For an “All-Natural” Spray, Look for Lemon Eucalyptus
Citronella oil and lemon eucalyptus oil are essential oils that contain low concentrations of PMD. Oil of lemon eucalyptus, on the other hand, is a concentrated version of lemon eucalyptus oil that contains a much higher amount of PMD. While all will be effective at deterring bugs to some degree, oil of lemon eucalyptus is the most effective of the three.
Do note, however, that lemon eucalyptus is actually one of the scents bees are most attracted to, so if you’re in an area with bees, maybe skip the lemon eucalyptus spray.
Picaridin Help With Broad-Range Protection
It has almost no odor, doesn’t leave behind any residue, and is generally considered non-toxic and safe for both people and the environment. Picaridin is also considered a better option for children under 3 years old as essential oils can be too highly concentrated for their skin at that age.
Avoid DEET at All Costs
Well, aside from being an extremely effective bug repellent, it’s also been known to melt plastics, cause short-term health effects like dizziness, headaches, and nausea, as well as long-term health effects like impaired neurological functions, muscle weakness, and tremors.
Luckily, most eco-friendly bug sprays are proud to be DEET-free and will have it written clearly on their labels so you know right away that you’re not getting any of that nasty stuff.
Make Sure that the Product Can Protect You for as Long as You Need
Also, keep in mind that bug spray tends to wear off faster if you’re sweating during summer hikes than if you’re just bird-watching on a cool day. Most natural bug sprays are not sweat-resistant, so be prepared to reapply often.
Pick Pump Sprays – Aerosols Release Harmful Chemicals and Compounds
Aerosols also tend to release volatile organic compounds that can irritate your respiratory system and create ground-level ozone which is a large component of smog. So to avoid these unnecessary atmospheric pollutants, it’s best to go with plain old pump sprays.
10 Best Eco-Friendly Bug Sprays Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent｜4 oz. | | Highly Effective, Long Lasting Bug Spray | |
2 | Natrapel 12-Hour Mosquito, Tick, and Insect Repellent｜3.4 oz. | | Super Long-Lasting Against a Huge Range of Bugs | |
3 | Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard + Picaridin｜4 oz. | | Moisturizes as It Protects | |
4 | Murphy’s Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent｜4 oz. | | A Little Goes a Long Way | |
5 | Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent｜4 oz. | | Long-Lasting Mosquito Repellant | |
6 | Babyganics Travel Size Bug Spray｜2 oz. | | Formulated to Be Safe for Your Little Ones | |
7 | Quantum Health Buzz Away Extreme｜4 oz. | | Great for Forested Areas With Tons of Bugs | |
8 | Turtle Moon Health Nature's Cloak Insect Repellent｜4 pack, 2.5 oz. | | Travel-Sized Spray With a Long Shelf Life | |
9 | Coleman DEET Free Lemon Eucalyptus Spray｜4 oz. | | Effective, Highly Concentrated Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus Spray | |
10 | Badger Anti-Bug Repellent Spray ｜4 oz. | | Certified Organic Mosquito Repellent |
Highly Effective, Long Lasting Bug Spray
The scent is very mild, which is great for those with sensitivities. However, some note that the spray nozzle could be improved, so be sure to spread it with your hands after you spray. However, reviewers say the spray really works - even when traveling to far off, heavily forested hiking locations. Of course, it works in the city, too!
Natrapel12-Hour Mosquito, Tick, and Insect Repellent ｜ 3.4 oz.
Super Long-Lasting Against a Huge Range of Bugs
However, some reviewers note that this spray does leave behind a slightly oily residue on your skin, so for those who really can’t stand that, this might not be the right spray for you. It also seems to only last around 4 hours before needing a respray. Most reviewers are fans of the product being DEET-free, and they say it really works.
Moisturizes as It Protects
Alongside picaridin, this spray also contains vitamin E and aloe to really live up to its “skin-so-soft” name.
However, some reviewers note that while this spray effective against mosquitos, it is less effective against other bugs. Reviewers like that the smell of the product is mild and it works well when gardening or in heavy-bug areas like in Southern Florida.
Murphy’s NaturalsLemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent ｜ 4 oz.
A Little Goes a Long Way
While it does have a strong scent, it is not unpleasant, and at the right application levels (that is, you really don’t need too much), the smell shouldn’t bother most people. Reviewers say it isn't greasy and works well sprayed over clothes.
RepelPlant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent ｜ 4 oz.
Long-Lasting Mosquito Repellant
However, some reviewers note that the lemon eucalyptus scent is quite strong and that the scent lingers on the skin for as long as you’re wearing it. So if you’re sensitive to smells, this might not be the right spray for you. One reviewer mentions making sure to rub it into the skin so it works effectively! If so, you'll be certain to have no bites.
Formulated to Be Safe for Your Little Ones
This travel-sized bug spray is gentle on the skin, non-greasy, cruelty-free, and is made of 100% essential oils. It's free of DEET, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and artificial dyes and fragrances. The ingredients are plant-based and completely safe and gentle for baby use.
However, note that this is a fairly small bottle and repellent itself needs to be reapplied pretty frequently. Reviewers say the product has a very strong lemon scent to it and the package does leak - be careful when packing it! Most reviewers say the product really works; many use it during camping trips and playdates outside in the summer.
Great for Forested Areas With Tons of Bugs
However, at four hours, the duration length is rather low, so be prepared to reapply often or risk losing effectiveness. Otherwise, this spray might not be for you. It also has quite a strong smell to it. But reviewers say it goes on light and non-sticky and works great for the whole family.
Turtle Moon HealthNature's Cloak Insect Repellent ｜ 4 pack, 2.5 oz.
Travel-Sized Spray With a Long Shelf Life
This bug spray is formulated to work against mosquitos and ticks, and while not ineffective against them, some reviewers note that it doesn’t really keep away chiggers. But others like the smell of the spray and how it's safe to use.
Effective, Highly Concentrated Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus Spray
However, it is an aerosol-based spray, so if you’re sensitive to the chemicals in aerosols, this might not be the best choice for you. Also, as it comes out faster, this bottle may run out earlier than a similarly sized pump spray. Reviewers say it leaves no oily residue and works.
Certified Organic Mosquito Repellent
However, some reviewers note that this spray is less effective for those who are particularly prone to bug bites. So if you find that you’re often super susceptible to bugs, you might want to try something a little stronger. Reviewers love that it's safe for kids and has an earthy, non-chemically smell.
How to Properly Apply Bug Spray
Spray from about 6-8 inches away from your skin and spread it over your skin with your hands. Try not to go too heavy–more isn’t necessarily better with bug spray.
For your face and other sensitive areas, spray onto your hands first and rub it on with your fingers. There’s no need to get under your clothes, but don’t forget areas like your ankles, hands, and feet.
More Goods for the Outdoors
Thinking of going camping in the great outdoors? You'll be needing bug spray, of course, but there are a lot of other things you'll have to prepare, too. If you need help picking out the best products, then take a look at some of our other guides!
Top 5 Eco-Friendly Bug Sprays
No. 1: Sawyer Products｜Premium Insect Repellent｜4 oz.
No. 2: Natrapel｜12-Hour Mosquito, Tick, and Insect Repellent｜3.4 oz.
No. 3: Avon｜Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard + Picaridin｜4 oz.
No. 4: Murphy’s Naturals｜Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Insect Repellent｜4 oz.
No. 5: Repel｜Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent｜4 oz.
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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