Going camping and want to stay safe from bugs?

We know how it feels to be eaten alive by mosquitos or bitten by other pests. That’s why we put together a list of the 8 best bug repellents for camping.

Whether you’re going on an overnight adventure or planning a big group trip, these products will keep pesky insects away and make your time in the outdoors more enjoyable.

Our list includes natural ingredients that won’t harm animals and are safer than chemicals, as well as formulas specifically designed for different types of trips, such as deep woods treks and backyard campouts.

Plus, each product has been tested by us – so you can trust our recommendations! Check out the 6 best bug repellents for camping now to find the perfect product for your outing!

How We Choose the Best Bug Repellents For Camping

Mosquitoes are annoying, and they can also be dangerous.

Not only do mosquitoes ruin a good camping trip, but they can also transmit diseases like the Zika virus, malaria, and dengue fever.

Bug Repellent For Camping is the answer! We’ve read through thousands of reviews on Amazon to find the 8 best bug repellents for your next camping trip.

Proven Insect Repellent Spray

Best Spray Recommended by CDC

Proven Insect Repellent Spray

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Why We Love It

Proven Spray is the ultimate insect repellent for your family. Not only is it non-toxic and safe to use on pregnant and breastfeeding women, but it is also an effective DEET alternative. This powerful spray contains 20% Picaridin, an active ingredient recommended by the CDC that offers broad-spectrum protection against mosquitoes and ticks for up to 14 hours.

With just one application, you and your family can enjoy up to 8 hours of protection from flies, gnats, chiggers, and no-see-ums as well. Best of all, studies show that a 20% concentration of Picaridin is just as potent at repelling insects as higher concentrations of DEET!

Together with Proven Spray's long-lasting protection, you can bring your family out with peace of mind knowing they are safe from any insect bites.

What You Should Know

With the new odorless formulation, Proven has created an accessible product for all needs of repelling mosquitoes. Goodbye toxic smells and say hello to a non-greasy spray that leaves skin feeling soothed!

The spray allows for easy, targeted application and provides more coverage than traditional lotions or other topicals. Unlike many products on the market today, this spray is family owned and trusted with only proven ingredients sourced from the US and Germany.

This best mosquito repellent is EPA registered and formulated in the USA. Proven seeks to provide safe, quality-focused, and effective products to health-conscious families everywhere.

Ranger Ready Permethrin 0.5% Clothing-Worn Repellent

Best For Fabric Treatment

Ranger Ready Permethrin 0.5% Clothing-Worn Repellent

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Why We Love It

When it comes to Outdoor Clothing and Gear Protection, Unscented Bug Spray with Permethrin 0.5% should be your go-to option!

It provides a long-lasting layer of defense against bugs and is great for clothing, sleeping bags, gear and tents. Plus, the unscented formula is a Deet alternative, making it safe to use on your pets like dogs or horses.

In fact, its amazing repellent power remains active up to 5 washings or 40 days of sun exposure - now that's protection you can trust!

What You Should Know

Protect yourself from annoying and dangerous pests with this quick-drying insect and tick repellent. Perfect for any outdoor activity as it won't stain or damage clothing, fabrics, plastics, finished surfaces, or your gear.

Long-lasting protection combined with the convenience of its 360-degree trigger spray makes it easy to treat up to seven full outfits (7 shirts, 7 pants, and 7 pairs of socks) quickly.

Better yet, it not only repels all kinds of bugs but kills them on contact as well! Make sure you're outfitted for any bug invasion with this powerful insect and tick repellent.

Sawyer Products SP657 Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent

Best For Zika, Dengue and Yellow Fever

Sawyer Products SP657 Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent

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Why We Love It

Permethrin insect and tick repellent spray is the perfect way to add an extra layer of protection to your clothing and gear. This spray repellent effectively wards off more than 55 different kinds of insects, including ticks that can cause Lyme disease as well as mosquitoes that carry the West Nile and Zika viruses.

Whether you're heading outdoors for camping, hunting, or backpacking, this insect repellent will be perfect for spraying on your shirts, jackets, pants, socks, shoes, boots, sleeping bags, tents, or netting in order to keep yourself safe from disease-carrying critters.

Plus it's also great for backyard BBQs and other outdoor activities! With Permethrin insect and tick repellent spray you will stay pest-free while enjoying your favorite outdoor activities without worries.

What You Should Know

Ticks are a major concern for safety in nature, so it's very comforting to know that there is a product available that can help significantly reduce the likelihood of a tick bite.

Permethrin spray bonds to fabric fibers and won't stain or damage clothing, fabrics, plastics, finished surfaces, or outdoor gear. This treatment has been tested in a University of Rhode Island study and shown to reduce the chances of getting a tick bite by an impressive 73.6 times!

It's also convenient; one 24-ounce trigger spray bottle can treat five complete outfits, and the product will last through six items of washing or up to six weeks - whichever comes first. Plus, it's odorless after drying so you can enjoy your time outdoors without any unpleasant smells.

Repel 100 Insect Repellent

Best For 98% DEET Concentration

Repel 100 Insect Repellent

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Why We Love It

REPELS insect repellent is formulated to provide lasting protection against malaria, yellow fever and other illnesses that can be transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests. Its 98.11% DEET concentration easily creates an effective barrier against all biting insects even in the most severe, infested conditions.

Whether you're on a summer camping trip or taking a safari walk, this product is specifically designed for those who need maximum protection from the worst insect invasions imaginable.

Meanwhile, its special formula leaves no unpleasant odors or residues as it safely wards off any unwanted attention from mosquitoes and other insects.

What You Should Know

Keep the bugs at bay with a long-lasting solution – that protects for up to 10 hours. Enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about bug bites while also protecting against other annoying insects like ticks, gnats, biting flies, chiggers, and fleas.

The convenient pump spray is great for any outdoor excursion since its compact size can easily be stored alongside all types of gear.

So, don't let buggers spoil your day, pick up this bug protection and have the freedom to explore any terrain lengthier and worry-free!

Cliganic 10 Pack Mosquito Repellent Bracelets

Best For All-Day Protection

Cliganic 10 Pack Mosquito Repellent Bracelets

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Why We Love It

With DEET-free, essential oils based mosquito repellent bracelets, you don't have to worry about any dangerous chemicals.

Natural mosquito repellents such as geraniol oil, lemongrass oil, and citronella work together to provide the best protection from annoying mosquitoes without applying something that is harsh on your skin.

To help prolong their efficacy, each bracelet comes individually wrapped in a resealable bag, which provides both extra freshness and an extended life span. With these innovative bracelets you can enjoy being outdoors while staying safe!

What You Should Know

Are you looking for protection from pesky mosquito bites while out in nature? Cliganic brings you the perfect solution with their repellent bracelets!

Not only are they adjustable and stretchy, easily fitting most wrists, but they are perfect for all sorts of outdoor adventures.

Whether you're having a picnic in the park or going on an extended camping trip, keep a Cliganic bracelet on your wrist and enjoy your day outside without worrying about mosquito bites. And at such an affordable price, why not pick up several to complete your outdoor set of essentials?

Get ready to hit the trails with Cliganic's camping mosquito repellent bracelets and fear no more the biting pests of summer!

Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent

Best For Fragrance Free Repellent

Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent

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Why We Love It

Protect yourself and your family from annoying and potentially dangerous pests with long-lasting insect and tick repellent spray! Applied directly to the skin, this fragrance-free topical repellent contains 20% Picaridin and is more effective at repelling biting flies than DEET.

It provides up to 12 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks, and up to 8 hours of protection against flies, gnats, chiggers, and more. Thanks to its comfort on the skin, long-lasting insect repellent can be worn while you're camping, backpacking, hunting, fishing or simply enjoying a summer day in the park.

With its broad spectrum protection that wards off Lyme Disease as well as West Nile, Dengue and Zika virus carrying mosquitoes you’re both safe from pests and comfortable throughout your outdoor activities.

What You Should Know

Sawyer’s Least Toxic Insect Repellent Spray is the top rated bug repellent for 2020, offering superior protection against mosquitoes and other pesky insects.

You can confidently use it on clothing, backpacks, watches, sunglasses, fishing line and firearm finishes without fear of damage. The non-greasy formulation dries quickly and sprays evenly in any orientation from two 6 oz Bag-on-Valve (BOV) cans.

To maximize protection from bugs, pair Sawyer’s insect repellent spray with the company’s signature Permethrin tick repellent designed especially for clothing and gear.

Keep those nasty critters at bay this summer with the peace of mind provided by Sawyer products!

Best Bug Repellent For Camping FAQ

Mosquitoes are a huge annoyance, and can ruin a camping trip.

Mosquitoes can carry dangerous diseases, like Zika virus, West Nile virus, and malaria.

6 Best Bug Repellents For Camping will protect you from these harmful insects and repel mosquitoes. Our top five bug repellents for camping have been tested and proven to work against mosquitoes and other biting bugs.

What keeps bugs away when camping?

The best way to keep bugs away when camping is to use insect repellents, such as those containing DEET. You can also take steps to make your camp site less attractive to insects: keep the area free of standing water, use food storage containers and dispose of garbage properly. Finally, taking a light hike around the general vicinity can help you scare off any insect intruders.

What does the military use for bug repellent?

The military typically uses DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) as a bug repellent. It is one of the most effective insect repellents available and has been used for years by the U.S. Department of Defense for protection against mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and other biting insects. DEET works by masking the scents that attract bugs to humans with its own odor that bugs avoid; it is safe when used as directed and efficiently provides long-lasting protection from insects in many environments.

What scent repels most insects?

Citronella is the most common scent that repels insects and is a natural mosquito repellent. Citronella is derived from certain grasses and other plants in the lemongrass family, and it naturally has a strong smell which many types of bugs find unpleasant. Other strong smells like lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree oil, and clove can also be used to ward off insects.

What is the best campfire mosquito repellent?

Citronella candles are the best campfire mosquito repellents. Burning citronella candles will help to keep mosquitoes away from your campfire and create a pleasant atmosphere for you and your friends. Citronella oil has been used for centuries as a natural insect repellent, and is highly effective when burned in candle form around a campfire or other outdoor area. Make sure to place the citronella candles around the perimeter of your campfire so that they will be in direct contact with the smoke from the fire and have maximum effectiveness against bothersome bugs!

Does vinegar keep bugs away?

Yes, vinegar can be used to repel certain types of bugs as it is one of the best natural repellents. It is an effective mosquito repellent for insects such as fruit flies, ants, and fleas. For best results, mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water in a spray bottle and spray the mixture around entry points in your home or garden. Vinegar also works against some spiders and mites when applied directly to them. In addition, it can be used on plants to deter aphids and other pests from feeding on them.

Conclusion

No matter which option you choose, following the given guidelines will help ensure that you have a fun and mosquito-bite-free camping trip. Whichever mosquito repellent device, natural or chemical repellent you prefer, remember to apply it often and enjoy your time in the great outdoors!