Top 5 Chemical & Bio-Pesticide Based Mosquito Repellents

With 98.11 DEET, this EPA registered insect repellent is the strongest chemical based repellent I could locate. The label states that this repellent can guard you against insect bites for up to 10 hours and is a must for folks living in Zika infested zones. So, considering that the Zika map appears to be growing by the hour, this is one mosquito repellent you will definitely want in your arsenal. Keep in mind, Repel 100 does not include built-in perspiration protection, so you will want to be sure to re-apply as needed and inline with label recommendations.

Repel 100 Insect Repellent ward off all kinds of insects such as mosquitoes, chiggers, ticks and biting flies. And following suit with other repellent manufacturers, Repel comes in various sizes large enough to shield your entire family, and smaller sizes for travel.

Keep in mind, if you are not a big fan of DEET, you may want to pass on this one as it is extremely potent. But for the brave, this powerhouse is unmatched in DEET strength and keeps even the nastiest of biting insects at bay. [Read full reviews]

Sawyer’s Premium Insect Repellent with Picaridin holds a very solid reputation for keeping biting and annoying insects far away. With various convenient sizes of this product available, those on-the-go will find instant relief as well as those planning the vacation of a lifetime. This formidable EPA registered pesticide contains the active ingredient ‘Picaridin’ which competes heavily with other chemical based products such as DEET and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Different from DEET, this product has little to no odor other than the initial ‘bust’ of fragrance that accompanies practically all capable repellents.

Talk about long lasting too! This product is known to outlast DEET and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, and can repel ticks and mosquitoes for up to 12 hours. And of course, other biting and flying insects are swatted away for about 8 hours. Picaridin goes on clear and once rubbed in, it is for the most part, unnoticeable. It has a clear, colorless texture and dries fast without any oily or tacky sensation.

This repellent is not harmful to gear or most other equipment so it’s multiple uses are a nice trait. And because it is safe for gear, many campers and hikers stock up on it before starting their journey. [Read full reviews]

The original OFF! Deep Woods Repellent has been around for ages. Nearly everyone has tried this product at least once or twice during a mosquito attack and with a long history of refining their formula, this manufacturer knows how to chase away mosquitoes and insects. With 25% DEET listed as it’s active ingredient, OFF! provides hours of protection just when you need it most. As a fast acting repellent, this product guards against mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies and most other bothersome insects and is safe for your entire family when used as directed.

The EPA maintains stringent control over chemical based repellents and does not condone exaggerative claims and promises regarding product performance. That being said, this product was approved as an EPA registered pesticide and guards against attacks consistent with its labeling. OFF! is not overwhelming in the odor department and while it does have a chemical scent, it’s not overcoming and dulls down as it soaks into your skin.

Packaged in assorted sizes, this product makes for a great companion for your next African safari adventure, or one closer to home such as mowing the lawn. [Read full reviews]

Ready to fight back mosquito attacks and go easy on the DEET? Well, then Cutter Backwoods Unscented Insect Repellent might just be exactly what you are looking for. This 25% DEET formula stays on pretty well when sweating and in humid conditions. This product is formulated to be ‘unscented’, which means that the manufacturer has not added any fragrances to mask or enhance the smell of the formula. Even so, the odor is about the same as any other DEET based aerosol spray with this level of concentration.

Perfect for cookouts and camping trips, Cutter does a fine job keeping away mosquitoes, chiggers, ticks and most general flying and biting insects. The label states that this product protects for up to 10 full hours which is provided peace of mind for those planning on spending a lot of time outdoors. Keep in mind though, while the label may claim a specific protection time, it is always best to use your own observation when applying any insect repellent. While some people may experience the full protection time listed on the manufacturers label, others find that natural and chemical based repellents rarely live up to the label claims. So, personal experience should always overrule label claims as far as repellency duration is concerned.

We located 3 different sizes available ranging from the convenient ‘pen’ size which is great as a personal carry item, to the larger aerosol size spray can for larger areas or multiple person protection. [Read full reviews]

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent is one of the hottest selling mosquito repellents year over year. While it is labeled as an EPA registered Bio-Pesticide, it is considered by many to be an excellent alternative to DEET and Picaridin as it contains compounds extracted from eucalyptus trees. The primary repellent ingredient in this product is Lemon eucalyptus, a potent insect repellent extracted from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree.

The scent it produces is very strong and effectively keeps the mosquitos at bay. A single application lasts for hours and fends off a combination of insects that can cause life- threatening diseases like sand flies, ticks, flies, and midges and mosquitoes. While the repellent produces a strong smell to its users, the benefits outweighed the risks since it scares the mosquitos away and keeps then out of sight for a decent amount of time.

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent is made of 30% oil from lemon eucalyptus. The other ingredients are ethanol, a hydrocarbon propellant, and isoparaffin. The broad spectrum insect repellent is almost as effective as DEET based products and is less toxic on clothes and gear. The reason why the product is rated at an average of 4.0 is that the ethanol ingredients are irritating to the eye, and its use is restricted to children above the age of 3. [Read full reviews]