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Summer camp means hours outdoors at dawn and dusk, exactly when mosquitoes and ticks are most active, so packing the right repellent matters more than most camp checklist items. The CDC recommends DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 for kids age 2 months and up, generally at lower concentrations than adults use, alongside DEET-free plant-based options many camps and parents prefer for shorter outdoor stretches. Here are 10 real repellents across those categories, confirmed from current retailer and brand listings.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent (25% DEET) | $6-$9 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | OFF! Clean Feel Insect & Mosquito Repellent Spritz (20% Picaridin) | $7-$10 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | OFF! Family Care Insect & Mosquito Repellent | $6-$9 | Amazon · eBay |
| 4 | Cutter Backwoods Insect Repellent (25% DEET) | $6-$10 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent (20% Picaridin) | $8-$12 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Natrapel Tick & Insect Repellent (12-Hour, Picaridin) | $12-$18 | Amazon |
| 7 | Ranger Ready Repellents Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray | $10-$14 | Amazon |
| 8 | Badger Anti-Bug Balm | $8-$12 | Amazon · eBay |
| 9 | Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Balm | $8-$15 | Amazon |
| 10 | Cutter All Family Insect Repellent (7% DEET) | $6-$9 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent (25% DEET)
A long-standing, widely available DEET repellent with a dry, non-greasy aerosol formula, sized in travel-friendly 4oz and 6oz cans.
- 25% DEET
- Dry, non-greasy aerosol formula
- 4oz and 6oz sizes available
- Long, well-established track record and wide availability
- Non-greasy finish is easier to reapply mid-day at camp
- 25% DEET is on the higher end for young children — check age guidance before use
OFF! Clean Feel Insect & Mosquito Repellent Spritz (20% Picaridin)
OFF!’s picaridin-based line, which the CDC also recommends for children, in a lighter-scented spritz format.
- 20% Picaridin
- Non-greasy spritz formula
- Repels mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies
- Picaridin is nongreasy and less strong-smelling than high-percentage DEET
- Picaridin can be slightly harder to find in stores than DEET-based OFF! products
OFF! Family Care Insect & Mosquito Repellent
A lightly scented, gentler-feeling formula in OFF!’s lineup, frequently cited as a favorite for easy one-handed spraying with sunscreen-covered hands.
- Lightly scented formula
- Easy-hold, easy-spray bottle design
- Family-oriented lower-irritation formulation
- Bottle design specifically praised for being easy to hold and spray with slippery hands
- Check the specific active ingredient percentage on the label, since OFF! sells several Family Care variants
Cutter Backwoods Insect Repellent (25% DEET)
A sweat-resistant, high-DEET option positioned for longer, more active outdoor stretches like hikes or all-day camp activities.
- 25% DEET
- Sweat-resistant formula
- Available in aerosol and pump spray, 4-11oz sizes
- Sweat-resistant formulation holds up better through active play than a standard formula
- Same higher-DEET caution as OFF! Deep Woods for young children
Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellent (20% Picaridin)
A picaridin lotion from a brand well known in the outdoor/camping space, sold in travel-friendly twin packs.
- 20% Picaridin lotion
- 2oz twin-pack sizing
- Repels mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects
- Lotion format is less likely to drift or spray into eyes than an aerosol, useful for younger campers
- Lotion requires more thorough rubbing-in than a spray
Natrapel Tick & Insect Repellent (12-Hour, Picaridin)
A picaridin pump spray sold in a 3-pack of travel-size 3.4oz bottles, convenient for splitting between a camp bag, backpack, and home.
- 20% Picaridin
- 12-hour claimed protection window
- 3.4oz pump spray, 3-pack
- Multi-bottle pack makes it easy to send one to camp and keep one at home
- Pump spray requires more direct application than an aerosol
Ranger Ready Repellents Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray
A picaridin spray sold in a compact 3.4oz travel size, from a brand built specifically around picaridin (rather than DEET) formulations.
- Picaridin-based formula
- 3.4oz travel size
- TSA-carry-on-friendly bottle size
- Small size fits easily in a camp packing list or carry-on bag
- Smaller bottle means more frequent repurchasing for a multi-week camp session
Badger Anti-Bug Balm
A DEET-free, certified organic balm using citronella and rosemary oils, for parents who specifically want to avoid synthetic repellent chemicals.
- DEET-free, USDA organic certified
- Citronella and rosemary essential oils
- 0.75oz tin or stick format
- No DEET or picaridin, appealing for camps or families that prefer plant-based-only products
- Plant-based repellents generally protect for a shorter window than DEET or picaridin and need more frequent reapplication
Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Balm
A plant-based balm formulated with cedarwood, lemongrass, and rosemary oils, sold in a travel-size tin as well as a larger 2oz size.
- Plant-based, DEET-free formula
- Cedarwood, lemongrass, and rosemary oils
- 0.75oz travel tin or 2oz size
- Travel-tin size is easy to pack in a camp trunk or backpack pocket
- Manufacturer-stated protection window (roughly 2 hours for mosquitoes) is shorter than DEET or picaridin products
Cutter All Family Insect Repellent (7% DEET)
Cutter’s lower-concentration DEET formula, positioned specifically for children and all-day family use rather than Cutter’s higher-DEET Backwoods line.
- 7% DEET, a lower concentration aimed at kids and all-day use
- Pump spray format
- Marketed specifically as a family/children’s option
- Lower DEET percentage is a better fit for young campers than the 25% Backwoods formula
- Lower concentration means shorter protection time, so reapplication during a long camp day matters more
Buying tips
- The CDC recommends DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 for children age 2 months and up — check the specific concentration on the label, since lower percentages (like Cutter’s 7% All Family line) suit kids better than 25%+ formulas.
- Picaridin (Sawyer, Natrapel, Ranger Ready, OFF! Clean Feel) is nongreasy and less strongly scented than DEET, which many parents and campers prefer for daily reapplication.
- Plant-based, DEET-free balms (Badger, Murphy’s Naturals) protect for a shorter window and need more frequent reapplication than DEET or picaridin — factor that into how often a camper can realistically reapply during the day.
- Sweat- and water-resistant formulas (Cutter Backwoods) hold up better through swimming, hiking, and active play than a standard formula.
- Always apply repellent to clothing and exposed skin, not under clothing, and avoid the hands, eyes, and mouth on young children — spray onto your own hands first and then apply to a child’s face.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.