The most effective tick protection is a two-part system: a picaridin or DEET repellent on exposed skin, and permethrin on your clothes, shoes and socks. Picaridin is the most pleasant to wear and does not damage gear; DEET is the long-standing standard with the most research behind it; permethrin is not a skin repellent at all but a clothing treatment that stops ticks from crawling up your legs. Natural, plant-oil sprays appeal to many families but are generally shorter-lasting and less studied. Below are six personal tick repellents covering each approach, followed by how to choose and apply them for hiking and yard work.
Part of our Pest Control guide →
In this guide
- 1. Sawyer 20% Picaridin Lotion — Best Overall Skin Repellent
- 2. Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Spray — Best Clothing and Gear Treatment
- 3. Repel Tick Defense 15% Picaridin — Best Picaridin Aerosol
- 4. OFF! Deep Woods 25% DEET — Best Everyday DEET Spray
- 5. Ben’s 100 Max DEET — Best for Extreme Insect Pressure
- 6. Grandpa Gus’s Natural Tick and Mosquito Spray — Best Plant-Based Option
- How to Choose a Tick Repellent
- How to Apply for Hiking and Yard Work
- Frequently Asked Questions
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How we compared: we compared 6 current Amazon listings on what each listing states (active ingredient and concentration, stated protection time, format and where it can be applied); we did not test or handle the products, and availability changes.
Key Takeaways
- For skin, choose an EPA-registered active ingredient such as picaridin (about 20 percent) or DEET (about 20 to 30 percent).
- For clothing, shoes and gear, treat with permethrin and let it dry fully before wearing; never apply it to skin.
- Higher concentrations last longer; they do not repel “harder.” Very high DEET is rarely necessary for ticks.
- Plant-oil repellents are an option for short outings but typically need more frequent reapplication.
- No repellent replaces a full tick check after time outdoors.
| Product | Best for | Key features | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sawyer 20% Picaridin Lotion | Best overall skin repellent |
| Buy now →Check current price |
| Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Spray | Best clothing and gear treatment |
| Buy now →Check current price |
| Repel Tick Defense 15% Picaridin | Best picaridin aerosol |
| Buy now →Check current price |
| OFF! Deep Woods 25% DEET | Best everyday DEET spray |
| Buy now →Check current price |
| Ben's 100 Max DEET | Best for extreme insect pressure |
| Buy now →Check current price |
| Grandpa Gus's Natural Spray | Best plant-based option |
| Buy now →Check current price |
Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
1. Sawyer 20% Picaridin Lotion — Best Overall Skin Repellent
Fragrance-free 20% picaridin lotion; listing states up to 12 hours against ticks and mosquitoes.
Check price on AmazonWhy We Like It
- 20% picaridin, a widely recommended concentration
- Stated up to 12 hours against ticks
- Odorless, non-greasy lotion
- Will not damage plastics or synthetic gear
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Active ingredient | 20% picaridin |
| Format | Lotion |
| Stated protection | Up to 12 hr ticks and mosquitoes; up to 8 hr flies, gnats, chiggers |
| Scent | Fragrance free |
| Size | 4 fl oz |
Sawyer SP564 20% Picaridin Lotion — compressed specs
Picaridin at 20 percent is the skin repellent many hikers settle on after trying everything else. It works on ticks and mosquitoes, has no smell, does not feel oily and, unlike DEET, will not soften plastic watch bands, sunglasses or synthetic jackets. Sawyer’s listing states up to 12 hours of protection against ticks for this lotion, the longest stated tick time among the skin repellents we compared.
The lotion format puts repellent exactly where you rub it, which makes it easier to cover ankles, wrists and the back of the neck evenly without overspray. Sawyer pairs it with its permethrin clothing spray (pick 2), and the combination is the setup we would recommend for most people who spend time in tick country.
Pros
- Longest stated tick protection here
- Odorless and non-greasy
- Gear-safe
- Lotion gives even coverage
Cons
- Lotion is slower to apply over large areas
- Small 4 oz size
- Still needs reapplying after swimming or heavy sweat
Check Sawyer 20% Picaridin Lotion price on Amazon
2. Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Spray — Best Clothing and Gear Treatment
Permethrin trigger spray for clothes, shoes and gear; listing says it bonds for up to 6 weeks or 6 washings.
Check price on AmazonWhy We Like It
- Treats shoes, socks and pants where ticks start
- Lasts up to 6 weeks or 6 washes
- Odorless once dry; listing says it will not stain
- Big 24 oz bottle treats several outfits
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Permethrin |
| Use on | Clothing, shoes, tents, nets and gear only |
| Durability | Up to 6 weeks or 6 washings |
| Format | Trigger spray |
| Size | 24 fl oz (twin pack also sold) |
| Application guide | Listing cites about 4.5 oz per outfit |
Sawyer SP657 Permethrin — compressed specs
Ticks almost always start low and climb, so treated shoes and socks stop many of them before they reach skin. Permethrin does not just repel; ticks that cross treated fabric are typically disabled. The Sawyer listing cites a University of Rhode Island study on treated footwear and socks, and says treatment bonds to fabric for up to six weeks or six washes.
Spray clothing outdoors, wet it thoroughly on both sides, and let it dry for a few hours before wearing. Do not spray it on skin, and keep wet permethrin away from cats, which are highly sensitive to it until it dries. This is the one product on the list that complements every other pick rather than competing with them.
Pros
- Stops ticks at shoes and socks
- Long-lasting through several washes
- Odorless when dry
- Works on tents and gear too
Cons
- Not for use on skin
- Must dry before wearing
- Toxic to cats while wet
Check Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Spray price on Amazon
3. Repel Tick Defense 15% Picaridin — Best Picaridin Aerosol
Unscented 15% picaridin aerosol for skin and listed fabrics, stated up to 10 hours against ticks and mosquitoes.
Check price on AmazonWhy We Like It
- Fast, even aerosol coverage
- Can go on skin and listed fabrics
- Unscented, light feel
- Six-can pack for families
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Active ingredient | 15% picaridin |
| Format | Aerosol spray |
| Stated protection | Up to 10 hours, ticks and mosquitoes |
| Fabrics | Cotton, wool, nylon, acetate, spandex per label |
| Size | 6.5 oz, pack of 6 |
Repel Tick Defense Picaridin — compressed specs
If you prefer a spray to a lotion, this Repel aerosol is the picaridin option on our list. At 15 percent, it is a little lower in concentration than the Sawyer lotion, and its stated protection is correspondingly a bit shorter at up to 10 hours. The label allows application to listed fabrics as well as skin, handy for a quick spray over sleeves and collar.
The six-pack format suits families and households that keep a can by every door, in the car and in the garden shed. Spray into your hands to apply to the face rather than spraying directly.
Pros
- Quick to apply
- Picaridin is gear-friendly
- Unscented
- Bulk pack
Cons
- Lower concentration than pick 1
- Aerosol overspray
- Six cans is a lot for one person
Check Repel Tick Defense 15% Picaridin price on Amazon
4. OFF! Deep Woods 25% DEET — Best Everyday DEET Spray
25% DEET aerosol for ticks, mosquitoes, biting flies, gnats and chiggers; made for hiking, fishing and camping.
Check price on AmazonWhy We Like It
- 25% DEET, a practical everyday strength
- Covers ticks, mosquitoes and chiggers
- Easy-to-find aerosol
- Long track record of DEET research
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Active ingredient | 25% DEET |
| Format | Aerosol |
| Targets | Ticks, mosquitoes, biting flies, gnats, chiggers |
| Stated protection time | Not stated in listing |
| Size | 6 oz |
OFF! Deep Woods 25% DEET — compressed specs
DEET has been used for decades and remains one of the most studied repellents available. A concentration in the 20 to 30 percent range gives several hours of protection, enough for a day hike or an afternoon of yard work, without the greasy feel of very high concentrations. OFF! Deep Woods is a familiar, widely stocked choice in that range.
Compared with the picaridin picks, DEET has a noticeable odor and can damage some plastics, synthetic fabrics and painted finishes, so keep it off watch crystals and sunglasses. The listing does not state a protection time, so reapply according to the label.
Pros
- Proven active ingredient
- Reasonable 25% strength
- Broad insect coverage
- Easy to find
Cons
- Can damage plastics and synthetics
- Noticeable smell
- Protection time not stated in listing
Check OFF! Deep Woods 25% DEET price on Amazon
5. Ben’s 100 Max DEET — Best for Extreme Insect Pressure
100% DEET pump spray with no alcohol or additives; listing states up to 10 hours of protection.
Check price on AmazonWhy We Like It
- Maximum-concentration DEET for long days
- Stated up to 10 hours
- No alcohol or other additives
- Compact pump bottles for packs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Active ingredient | 100% DEET |
| Format | Pump spray |
| Stated protection | Up to 10 hours |
| Size | Listed as 3.4 fl oz, 2-pack |
| Notes | Made and tested in New Hampshire per listing |
Ben’s 100 Tick and Insect Repellent — compressed specs
Very high DEET concentrations mostly extend how long protection lasts rather than how well it works, so most people do not need 100 percent for ticks. Where it makes sense is in heavy, multi-insect conditions: long days in northern woods during blackfly and mosquito season, or backcountry trips where reapplying is inconvenient. Ben’s is a long-standing name in that niche, and the listing states up to 10 hours.
Use it sparingly on exposed skin only, never under clothing, and wash it off when you come indoors. It is more aggressive on plastics and synthetic fabrics than the 25 percent OFF!. The listing mentions both a 1.25 oz travel bottle and a 3.4 oz size, so check the size you are buying.
Pros
- Longest-lasting DEET option here
- No additives
- Small, packable bottles
- Effective in heavy insect pressure
Cons
- More than most tick situations need
- Strong odor, oily feel
- Harsh on plastics and synthetics
Check Ben's 100 Max DEET price on Amazon
6. Grandpa Gus’s Natural Tick and Mosquito Spray — Best Plant-Based Option
DEET-free spray with geraniol, lemongrass and peppermint oils; listing states up to 8 hours against ticks.
Check price on AmazonWhy We Like It
- DEET-free, plant-oil formula
- Listing says use on skin and pant legs
- Dermatologist-tested per listing
- Two bottles per pack
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Active ingredients | Geraniol, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil |
| Stated protection | Up to 8 hr ticks, 6 hr mosquitoes |
| Use on | Exposed skin and clothing; not for pets |
| Kids | Apply by an adult, per listing |
| Size | 4 oz, pack of 2 |
Grandpa Gus’s Natural Tick Repellent — compressed specs
For people who want to avoid synthetic actives, this is the most tick-focused natural option on the shelf. Geraniol, the lead ingredient, is a plant-derived compound with some evidence of repellency. The listing advises spraying both skin and pant legs, which is the right instinct for ticks.
Keep expectations realistic. Plant-oil repellents are generally sold as minimum-risk products that the EPA does not evaluate for effectiveness, and essential oils tend to evaporate faster than DEET or picaridin. In areas with Lyme disease, pair a natural spray with permethrin-treated shoes and socks and reapply more often than the label’s maximum.
Pros
- No DEET or picaridin
- Pleasant scent
- Suitable for clothing
- Two-pack
Cons
- Efficacy less studied than EPA-registered actives
- Likely needs more frequent reapplication
- Not for use on pets
Check Grandpa Gus's Natural Spray price on Amazon
How to Choose a Tick Repellent
Picaridin vs. DEET
Both are EPA-registered and both work well against ticks at the right concentration. Picaridin (also called icaridin) is odorless, non-greasy and safe on gear; DEET has the longest research record and is widely available. Pick picaridin if comfort and gear matter; pick DEET if you want the most familiar option. Concentrations around 20 percent picaridin or 20 to 30 percent DEET cover most outdoor days. Other EPA-registered options include IR3535 and oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Permethrin for clothing
If you only buy one tick product for yard work, a permethrin spray for your work shoes, socks and pants is hard to beat. Treat clothes once, and they keep working for weeks. Factory-treated clothing is another option and lasts through more washes.
Natural repellents
Plant-oil sprays based on geraniol, cedarwood, lemongrass or peppermint suit short exposures and people who react to synthetic repellents. Reapply often, and lean on clothing and tick checks for backup.
Kids
Follow each product’s label for age limits. US health agencies generally advise not using oil of lemon eucalyptus on children under 3 and not using insect repellent on babies under 2 months. Adults should apply repellent to children, avoiding hands, eyes and mouth.
How to Apply for Hiking and Yard Work
- Treat shoes, socks and pants with permethrin a day ahead; let them dry.
- Apply sunscreen first if you use it, then skin repellent on exposed skin only.
- Tuck pants into socks and shirts into pants when walking through tall grass, brush or leaf litter.
- Reapply skin repellent according to the label, or after swimming or heavy sweating.
- When you come in, wash treated skin, put clothes in a hot dryer for at least 10 minutes to kill hitchhiking ticks, and do a full-body tick check, including the scalp, behind the ears, armpits, waist and behind the knees.
Personal repellents protect you; reducing ticks in the yard is a separate job. Our guide on how to get rid of ticks in your yard covers habitat changes, and our roundup of flea and tick yard sprays covers treatments. For more pest guides, see the pest control guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most effective tick repellent?
The most effective approach combines a skin repellent such as 20% picaridin or 20 to 30% DEET with permethrin-treated clothing and shoes. Together they stop ticks both on skin and as they climb from the ground.
Is picaridin or DEET better for ticks?
Both work well at appropriate concentrations. Picaridin is odorless and safe on gear; DEET has the longest research track record. Choose based on comfort and what you will reapply consistently.
Can I put permethrin on my skin?
No. Permethrin is for clothing, shoes and gear only. Spray it on fabric, let it dry completely, then wear. Keep wet permethrin away from cats.
Do natural tick repellents work?
Some plant oils, such as geraniol, show repellency, but they generally do not last as long as DEET or picaridin and are less studied. Reapply them often and use permethrin-treated clothing for backup in high-risk areas.
How long does tick repellent last?
It depends on the active ingredient and concentration. Listings in this roundup state up to 8 to 12 hours for skin repellents, and up to six weeks or six washes for permethrin on clothing. Sweat, water and rubbing shorten protection.