These products will fend off mosquitoes and dangerous diseases like West Nile Virus.
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Bug spray can do more than just prevent annoying bites — it can also guard you against dangerous illnesses like the West Nile Virus and Lyme disease.
That's why important to consider which brand you turn to for protection. Consumer Reports made a list of the best insect repellants on the market.
Continue reading to see which products it recommends.
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Ben's 30 Tick & Insect Repellent Wipes are Consumer Reports's highest rated insect repellent across categories.
"These stand-out repellent wipes from Ben’s are among the top-performing products in CR’s testing," it said. "With 30 percent deet as their active ingredient, they offer top-notch protection against mosquitoes. They’re only about average when it comes to their tendency to damage clothing fabric—so if you’re concerned, test one on an inconspicuous spot."
The smallest size costs $7.
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Ben's 30 Tick & Insect Repellent Pump Spray Wilderness Formula is the second-highest scoring formula.
"With 30 percent deet as the active ingredient, it offers excellent protection against mosquitoes and ticks," CR said.
It costs $12 and was rated a green choice, but it does do some damage to clothes.
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Off Sportsmen Deep Woods Insect Repellent 3 ranked third. It costs about $10 a bottle and provides strong protection.
"This 30 percent deet insect repellent from Off is one of the top-performing aerosol spray options from CR’s tests," CR said. "It offers excellent protection against mosquitoes and ticks. It does tend to damage fabrics and other materials, however, so apply with care."
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The Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent Pump got CR's fourth-highest score. "This pump spray from Repel is not only the best deet-free repellent in our ratings but also one of the best-performing of all of our tested repellents," CR said.
Its formula is 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus, giving it "excellent protection against mosquitoes and ticks," CR said. It also doesn't tend to damage clothes.
It costs $14.
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Ben's 30 Tick & Insect Repellent Eco-Spray Wilderness Formula Aerosol ranked fifth.
"This highly effective aerosol spray insect repellent offers a lot of value," CR said. "With deet as its active ingredient, it gives users an excellent defense against mosquitoes and ticks."
That said, CR said the spray "goes on wet and leaves an oily feeling on the skin."
It costs $9.
