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Best bug spray for camping with kids: 6 picks by age and bug

Best overall Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent, 20% Picaridin Long-lasting, odorless and safe on gear

Best for applying by hand Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent Lotion, 20% Picaridin Same active ingredient, in a lotion

Best DEET OFF! Deep Woods Dry, 25% DEET (2-Pack) A widely bought DEET spray that feels dry

Best plant-based Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus (4-Pack) A plant-derived active ingredient on the CDC’s list, for ages 3 and up

Best for ticks Sawyer Premium Permethrin for Clothing, Gear and Tents Treats shoes, socks and clothes, not skin

Best for the picnic table Thermacell E-ZoneGuard Adventure Repeller A 20-foot mosquito zone with nothing on skin

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Updated November 6, 2026

How we picked these

How we choose

We compared maker specs, sizes and owner feedback on Amazon. We have not tested these products ourselves.

We looked for picks that suit families who drive to the campground, and we note who should skip each one.

We list price levels instead of prices, because they change often. Availability was checked on November 6, 2026.

How we choose

Product	Best for	Active ingredient	Lasts (maker’s claim)	Price
Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent, 20% Picaridin	Best overall	20% picaridin	Up to 12 hours	Check price on Amazon
Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent Lotion, 20% Picaridin	Best for applying by hand	20% picaridin	Up to 12 hours	Check price on Amazon
OFF! Deep Woods Dry, 25% DEET (2-Pack)	Best DEET	25% DEET	“Long lasting”	Check price on Amazon
Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus (4-Pack)	Best plant-based	Oil of lemon eucalyptus	Up to 6 hours	Check price on Amazon
Sawyer Premium Permethrin for Clothing, Gear and Tents	Best for ticks	Permethrin	6 weeks or 6 washes	Check price on Amazon
Thermacell E-ZoneGuard Adventure Repeller	Best for the picnic table	Metofluthrin (device)	12-hour refill	Check price on Amazon

Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent, 20% Picaridin

Best overall

RESEARCHED

Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent, 20% Picaridin

A 3-ounce pump spray with 20% picaridin that’s fragrance-free and non-greasy. Sawyer lists up to 12 hours against mosquitoes and ticks, and up to 8 hours against flies, gnats and chiggers. It won’t damage plastics or synthetic coatings, says Sawyer.

Who it's for

Most families.

Who should skip it

Anyone who wants a big bottle.

What owners praise

Owners find it effective and like that it doesn’t smell bad.

What owners complain about

Reviews of the sprayer are mixed, and some mention leaks and value for money.

Check price on Amazon

Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent Lotion, 20% Picaridin

Best for applying by hand

RESEARCHED

Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent Lotion, 20% Picaridin

The CDC says to put repellent on your own hands and then on a child’s face, and a lotion makes that easy. Sawyer lists the same 20% picaridin and the same times as its spray. Owners say a little goes a long way.

Who it's for

Parents of young kids who don’t like sprays.

Who should skip it

Anyone who wants a quick all-over spray.

What owners praise

Owners say it’s odorless and non-greasy, and that it goes on easily.

What owners complain about

Not enough detail in the reviews we read to summarize. Check the newest reviews on the product page.

Check price on Amazon

Best DEET

RESEARCHED

OFF! Deep Woods Dry, 25% DEET (2-Pack)

Two 4-ounce aerosol cans with 25% DEET, which falls in the 20% to 30% range the American Academy of Pediatrics calls most prudent for young children, as quoted by the CDC. OFF! lists protection from mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats and chiggers. Keep DEET off plastics and gear you care about.

Who it's for

Families camping where bugs are heavy.

Who should skip it

Anyone who dislikes a strong smell.

What owners praise

Owners find it effective.

What owners complain about

Reactions to the scent are mixed.

Check price on Amazon

Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus (4-Pack)

Best plant-based

RESEARCHED

Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus (4-Pack)

Oil of lemon eucalyptus is one of the active ingredients the CDC lists for EPA-registered repellents. Repel claims up to 6 hours. The CDC says not to use it on children under 3. Owners report no bites, but some find the scent strong and say it stings on the face.

Who it's for

Families with kids 3 and older who want no DEET.

Who should skip it

Families with babies and toddlers.

What owners praise

Owners find it effective and like that it has no DEET.

What owners complain about

Reactions to the scent are mixed, and some say it stings on the face.

Check price on Amazon

Sawyer Premium Permethrin for Clothing, Gear and Tents

Best for ticks

RESEARCHED

Sawyer Premium Permethrin for Clothing, Gear and Tents

The CDC recommends 0.5% permethrin products for boots, clothing and gear. Sawyer says the treatment lasts up to 6 weeks or 6 washes, whichever comes first. Never use it on skin, and follow the label for drying before anyone wears the clothes.

Who it's for

Anyone camping near tall grass or woods.

Who should skip it

Mowed sites with little brush.

What owners praise

Owners report being tick-free, and find it easy to apply to clothes.

What owners complain about

Opinions on the odor are mixed, and some report problems with the sprayer.

Check price on Amazon

Thermacell E-ZoneGuard Adventure Repeller

Best for the picnic table

RESEARCHED

Thermacell E-ZoneGuard Adventure Repeller

Thermacell lists a 20-foot zone of mosquito protection, and the starter pack comes with a 12-hour refill. It’s for sitting at camp, not for moving around. The listing is about mosquitoes, so don’t count on it for ticks.

Who it's for

Evenings at the picnic table.

Who should skip it

Hiking and tick protection.

What owners praise

Owners like how portable it is and that it’s nearly odorless.

What owners complain about

Results are mixed: some say it works wonders, and others say it doesn’t work.

Check price on Amazon

Buying guide

Check for an EPA number

The CDC recommends EPA-registered repellents with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, PMD or 2-undecanone. It says it doesn’t know how well non-registered natural repellents work, so we didn’t pick any.

Follow the rules by age

A CDC fact sheet says not to use repellent on babies under 2 months, so use netting over the carrier or stroller. Health Canada is stricter: it says not to use DEET or icaridin (picaridin) on infants younger than 6 months. Ask your pediatrician. Don’t use oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD on children under 3. Always read the label, since some products set their own age limits.

Apply it the right way

Spray on your hands first, then apply to a child’s face. Keep it off a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts and irritated skin, and don’t put it on skin under clothes. Wash it off with soap and water at the end of the day. Don’t let children handle repellent.

Sunscreen goes first

The CDC says to apply sunscreen first and repellent second.

Have a tick plan

Treat shoes and clothes, then check everyone for ticks after being outside, including under arms, around ears, in hair and behind knees. Shower soon if you can. Remove an attached tick with fine-tipped tweezers, pulling with steady pressure. See a doctor if a rash or fever follows in the next several weeks.

And with kids?

Store repellent out of children’s reach, as the EPA advises, and do the applying yourself.

Make tick checks part of bedtime, and give kids a job, such as finding socks and shoes for you to treat before the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Is DEET safe for kids while camping?

Used as directed, the CDC says EPA-registered repellents are proven safe and effective. A CDC guide quotes the American Academy of Pediatrics saying that 20% to 30% DEET, applied sparingly, seems most prudent for infants and young children. Follow the label.

What’s the difference between DEET and picaridin?

Both are EPA-registered active ingredients for mosquitoes and ticks. DEET can damage some plastics and has a stronger smell. Sawyer says its picaridin won’t damage plastics or gear and has no odor.

Can I use natural bug spray on my baby?

The CDC says it doesn’t know how well non-registered natural repellents work, and it says not to use oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD on children under 3. A CDC fact sheet says no repellent under 2 months. Health Canada says not to use DEET or icaridin (picaridin) under 6 months. Use netting, and ask your pediatrician.

How do I protect my family against ticks while camping?

Treat clothes, shoes and gear with permethrin, use an EPA-registered repellent on skin, check everyone for ticks and shower soon after being outdoors if you can.

Can I use bug spray and sunscreen together?

Yes. The CDC says to apply sunscreen first and repellent second.

Does a Thermacell keep mosquitoes away?

The maker lists a 20-foot zone, and owner results are mixed. It’s for sitting at camp, and it doesn’t replace repellent when you’re on the move or in tick country.

How do I remove a tick from my child?

The CDC says to grasp it close to the skin with fine-tipped tweezers and pull with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist it, and don’t use petroleum jelly, heat or nail polish. See a doctor if a rash or fever follows.

Sources: CDC: preventing mosquito bites · CDC: preventing tick bites · CDC: removing a tick · EPA: using repellents safely · CDC Yellow Book: traveling with children · CDC: mosquito bite prevention fact sheet (PDF) · Health Canada: insect repellents