Sawyer Products SP5762 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent, Continuous Spray, 6-Ounce, Twin Pack

Others have said it, but it's worth my time in case it helps others... Buy this bug spray. I'm the type of person who will get bit 10 times while wearing bug spray when nobody else got bit or even thought to use it, and I'm super allergic, so I wear bug spray outside 100% of the time in summer, even if I'm just stepping out to take out the trash. I literally moved to another state because summers were so bad. Despite all this, I used to spend much of summer miserably treating bug bites and losing sleep from the reactions. But since I started using this bug spray last year, I've not gotten a single bite on skin that was treated with it. I've only gotten bit on areas like my face/hands where I didn't apply much or washed it off, through clothes, or while using other bug sprays, including other picaridin sprays. I initially wondered if the bugs weren't as bad in recent years, but last time I ran out, I bought some Off spray cans because they were smaller and more convenient to travel with. I got two bites the first day I used it. Switched back and haven't gotten bit since. I'm not sure if the actual formula is any different than other brands, but I think larger spray makes it easier to evenly coat your skin, and it also doesn't come out overly misty, so you don't feel like you're breathing in chemicals. Like all picaridin, the smell is mild and there's no sticky or oily feeling.

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.

The aerosol is nice. Applies easily. Although the cap does keep falling off 🙄 Other than that I love it. It's odorless and seemed to do a good job keeping ticks off of me while I was on an exterior painting job in the woods!

All family members have used this, and not a single bite, once applied! Don’t miss a spot, or those 'no-see-ums' or skeeters will find it! No greasy feeling, we use both the spray & lotion. Works well at the beach, back yard, or in the woods. Sweating/wiping will wear it off a bit sooner, so may need to re-apply, but it easily lasted at least 6-8 hrs.

Oily and a bit gummy. Never really dries up. Very low odor. Effective against Aedes ankle bighters that now seem to be everywhere in So California. Lasts about 8 hrs. I definitely need to take a shower before bed after I use it. I've also used the lemon eucalyptus spray. That has its pros and cons as well. It works pretty well but some people don't like the intense herbal smell, though that dissipates after a half hour or so. It's also a little oily but quite a bit less than this picaridin. Picaridin may also last a couple hours longer. The perfect insect repellent would be dry, not oily or sticky, have no smell. Doesn't exist yet I guess.