Sawyer Products SP5762 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent, Continuous Spray, 6 Fl Oz (Pack of 2)

Okay, I have what is known it the deep South as sweet blood. Bugs just cannot resist taking a chunk out of me. I have used every brand and type of OTC bug spray found in drug stores across the country. Most either had minimal or no impact, or lasted a very short time. I had pretty much resigned myself to a life of itching and scratching, not to mention passing up many outdoor activities. While looking for flea/tick medicine for my dogs, I decided to take a quick look on Amazon for something new. I came across this product and read the reviews. I decided to give it a shot, resigned to the likely fact that I was once again wasting my time and money. But, this stuff is amazing! After spending many hours at the local dog park fending off insect assaults, I sprayed this stuff on my exposed arms, my jeans and my baseball cap. First thing I noticed is that it didn't stink. It has a light, sort of lemon smell. Next thing I noticed is that it appeared wetter, but more evenly distributed, than I expected. But, it didn't feel greasy or uncomfortable. Nor did it seem to bother my dogs, although I did make a point of keeping them out of spraying range. Into the dog park we went. We spent about an hour there. No swatting away bugs and no bites. This stuff is great. And, this stuff lasts a long time. The next day, my wife and I had breakfast outdoors at a cafe. Again, no bug attack and my wife, who is very chemical-averse, said she did not notice any chemical smell. Depending on your use or preference, this could be good or bad. For me, it is great. After short order, it transformed from being wet to becoming a slightly sticky (but not annoyingly so) thin coating. And it stayed there until I washed it off. The jeans also had a slightly sticky coating, which remained until the next day. Although it was slightly sticky to the touch, it's not like things stuck to it and there was no residue on my leather car seat. I could se how this slight stickiness and extreme lasting power could present a problem in certain circumstances, hence the 4 (as opposed to 5) stars. If you have sweet blood and find other bug strays ineffective, I definitely recommend giving this stuff a try. If, however, you are not singled out by bugs, this may be more than you need. Update: We have been experiencing a number of unusually hot humid days, the kind that causes flying insects to come out full force. This is amplified at the dog park, where, apparently the well-protected dogs are shunned in favor of more tasty humans. The tiny black flying fangs were literally swarming. Yet, while others were fiercely swatting at the air, I sat calmly, watching the insects. Only one persistent troublemaker came near me and, while making an annoyance out of himself, did not land on or bite me. This stuff is fantastic. Although I didn't feel it while at the park, once I returned to my relatively cool home, I felt like I was coated in a thin layer of plastic. But, it easily washed off. A small price to pay not to spend the night itching and scratching. Given how well this product works, I have changed the 4 stars to 5.

Works great, I believe better that DEET. I find it sprays very "wet", if I spray it on like DEET then the can empties very quickly. I spray a little on my hands and rub it on my body, I don't spray my cloths, just apply to my skin. There is no scent, it's not greasy, and I was told by a fishing guide it does not attack fishing line or leave a scent on baits. It's my go to for insect repellant. I understand it better for me that DEET. My little pump spray bottle of 100% DEET ate a hole through the plastic cap protecting the pump nozzle, that can't be good for people?

FIVE STARS IS NOT ENOUGH STARS!! The gnats have kept my outdoor Florida life a living hell my entire life. I have tried a lot of products making similar claims but they never worked well. Many are oily and greasy and make things worse. This product does what it promises !! It sprays on, dries quickly and as long as you don’t wipe your skin to dry off the sweat, it lasts all day (if this happens, I just reapply a small amount into my hand and coat that area). NOTE: I think I’ve been using too much, spraying all my exposed skin VS spraying a small amount and spreading it with my hands. Don’t do this . It’s too precious to waste! This will change your life outdoors-I promise and is now a staple in my house. I asked ChatGPT what the best repellent for gnats is and this is what it suggested. After doing some research, every review was excellent.

Don't think I'll buy again. At least in an aerosol can. I only got three and a half applications from my first can while hiking. I did like that it doesn't damage my plastic watch band. I still got ticks on my legs so will probably use a deet product on my legs and a pump spray on my arms.

I coach a cross-country ski team that does a tremendous amount of trail running in the summer. I purchased this repellant based on the Wirecutter rating from the New York Times. I have been extremely happy with this repellent and am back to buy more after using it for several years. I think it works better than DEET. I have not gotten any ticks and my teenagers have not gotten any ticks. Other athletes in our group regularly get ticks. We are also not getting mosquito bites. In very wet areas (around a swamp), I am still swatting big flies but I still don't think I am getting bitten. I have tried both the pump in the white bottle and the continuous spray in the blue bottle with the black cap. I prefer the continuous spray more because it is easier to cover your whole legs more easily and get hard to reach areas like your back. I do not spray my arms or the front of my shirt because I am always wiping sweat off my face. The spray works really well if I spray the top of my head, my shoulders, back, and my entire legs, socks, shoes. I am working out WAAYY to hard to wear long pants, long sleeves, etc.