Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Cancer
    • Chemicals, Toxics, and Pesticide
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Radon
    • Research
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • Our Mission and What We Do
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Labs and Research Centers
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Organization Chart
    • EPA History

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Insect Repellents

Which Insect Repellent is Right for You?

5/23/2019

By: Alexandra Dunn, Assistant Administrator
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Spring is in full swing! With warmer temperatures and nature in bloom, it’s time to get ready for more outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and enjoying barbecues. Spending time outside also means pesky pests like mosquitoes and ticks.

Itchy bites can spoil an otherwise pleasant afternoon, and you can even get sick from mosquito and tick bites. Insect repellents can reduce the risk of bites and help prevent disease. Under the law, before registering a repellent, EPA is required to review scientific studies and data to make sure that there is evidence that supports the effectiveness of the product.

It is also important to note that some repellents do not have to be registered and the producers of these repellents are not required to submit supporting evidence to the EPA. These products do not require registration because the active ingredients in these products were reviewed by EPA and it was determined that they posed minimal risk to human health.

Since not all insect repellents operate the same way, it’s important to find one that best suits your needs. With so many products available, how can you find the repellent that is right for you?

Consider these factors when choosing a repellent:

  • Do you need protection from mosquitoes, ticks or both?
  • How long will you be exposed to mosquitoes, ticks or both? Be sure to use a product with a protection time that fits your activity.
  • Are you interested in a particular active ingredient?

Online resources can help you refine your search, including EPA’s insect repellent search tool and the National Pesticide Information Center’s (NPIC) Insect Repellent Locator. Specify what you’re looking for and these search tools will return a selection of products that meet your needs.

For safe and effective use of pesticide products, always read the product label before using the product. You can learn more about insect repellents on EPA or NPIC's insect repellent web pages.

Find the right insect repellent for you and enjoy the great outdoors!

Insect Repellents

  • About Insect Repellents
  • Tips to Prevent Mosquito Bites
  • Tips to Prevent Tick Bites
  • Finding the Right Repellent for You
  • Using Repellents Safely and Effectively
  • Ingredients in Skin Applied Repellents
  • Regulation of Skin Applied Repellents
Contact Us About Insect Repellents
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on February 13, 2025
  • Assistance
  • Spanish
  • Arabic
  • Chinese (simplified)
  • Chinese (traditional)
  • French
  • Haitian Creole
  • Korean
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Tagalog
  • Vietnamese
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility Statement
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions
  • Site Feedback

Follow.