Top 5 Best Tick Repellents and Sprays for Humans (**2020 Review**)

Tick repellents can take two different forms: sprays or wipes.

Sprays are concentrated liquid which must be dispelled through a bottle, whereas wipes are pieces of cloth with the active ingredients saturated inside, meant to be wiped topically across the skin.

Both methods, through different applications, are designed to prevent ticks from biting people.

5 Best Tick Repellents and Sprays for Humans

Short on time?  Take a look below for the top 5 in our list. Otherwise, check out our buying guide.

1. Nantucket Spider Tick Repelling Spray (Our Top Pick)
2. Natrapel 12-Hour Tick Spray (Our Second Choice) 
3. REPEL Sportsman Max Insect Repellent
4. Wondercide Insect Repellent
5. Ben's 100% DEET Tick Repellent
   

What is Tick Repellent?

A tick repellent is any sort of product—usually a spray—that deters ticks from targeting an animal from which to feed.  

Ticks are obnoxious pests that bite humans and animals to feed on blood. Not only do they see pets and people as an all-they-can-eat buffet, but these parasitic pests can spread all sorts of illnesses, including Lyme disease.

Read Also: What's the best tick repellent for your dog?

What's Inside Tick Repellent?

Narrowing down an exact list is difficult, as tick repellents generally use a broad range of ingredients. Unfortunately, no two repellents are created equally.

Many rely on pesticides like permethrins and pyrethroids. These are chemical compounds derived from the chrysanthemum flower which disrupt a tick's nervous system, making it difficult for them to bite. If a tick is unable to bite, it can't feed on blood, which leads to starvation and, eventually, death.

Another common ingredient present in many tick repellents is natural oil from plants like rosemary and lemongrass. There are fewer studies which explain how these work, but the basic idea is that the smell of these oils covers up the natural scent which attracts ticks to animals and people. The Environmental Protection Agency determined these oil-based repellents pose little to no risk to people who use them.

Pesticides vs. Natural Oils

So, what are the major differences between these two ingredients?

In a nutshell: they have different risks and varying levels of effectiveness. Pesticides have more years of research to back them up and are more potent, but on the other hand, they also include unpleasant compounds like DEET. Many tick repellents with pesticides can also make humans and animals sick if they are exposed in the wrong way.

However, if used correctly, chemicals like DEET pose no risk to humans.

Natural oils have less research to support them, but are also less toxic. However, this low toxicity comes with lower rates of efficacy. Sometimes the products from rosemary and lemongrass work, but other times they might not. Some skin types may respond well to the oils, and some may have adverse reactions.

When selecting a repellent, it's important to choose one that you are comfortable with, as well as one which doesn't harm your skin.

What Are the Risks of Tick Repellent?

As with any pest-controlling product, tick repellents come with a few risks. 

The pesticides in the products should NOT have an adverse effect on the average human, but under no circumstance should anyone ingest a tick repellent. Eating or drinking a tick repellent is toxic. Please seek immediate medical attention and contact Poison Control in your area if you or your child has accidentally ingested a tick repellent.

Sprays meant for humans should also be kept away from cats, fish, and other creatures. They are more susceptible to harm from the ingredients due to their small body sizes. 

Sometimes people can suffer an allergic reaction to tick repellents. If this happens, wash the repellent off of your skin with soap and water and then speak to a medical professional as soon as possible.

Read Also: What's a good tick collar for your dog?

What is DEET?

Many people hear horror stories about DEET—one of the oldest chemicals used in tick repellents and other insect sprays. This chemical was invented in 1946 after being developed by the US Army to protect its against mosquitoes in highly-infested areas. In 1957, DEET became available for sale to the general public, and as of 2014, the EPA continues to identify little to no risks in its use.

However, many other people worry about exposing themselves and children to too much DEET. To avoid it, there are many sprays on the market which use essential oils in order to sidestep these chemicals. These insect repellents, much like the tick repellents mentioned earlier, have varying levels of effectiveness. 

Take a quick look at the video below for a brief explanation of how DEET and other repellents stack up against each other in a Consumer Reports test.

What Makes a Tick Repellent Good?

Tick repellents, all in all, are simple creations. The easiest way to tell if one is satisfactory is to check how effective it is, and how much value it brings to the table.

How Effective Is It?

The whole point of a tick repellent is to keep ticks away from you and your loved ones. If your product doesn't achieve this simple goal, can it really be considered a good repellent? 

The short answer is no. So, when you're on the hunt for a "good" repellent, pick one that works, case closed.  You should also find a repellent that you are comfortable using. This means that you should aim to find something which doesn't irritate your skin, something which doesn't smell bad, and a product that you enjoy purchasing from a company you feel right about supporting.

How Much Does Tick Repellent Cost?

Let's face it: there are a lot of repellents on the market. Sometimes, it can feel overwhelming when you're making your selection—almost as if you're bombarded by all the (seemingly identical) choices.

Most tick repellent sprays come in 4 oz. - 8 oz. bottles which won't cost you an arm and a leg. Prices on these bottles vary, but they're definitely cheap enough to bring with you on your next hike, camping trip, or gardening session. 

In addition, if you see a repellent at an outlandishly low price, we advise against giving in to the temptation of saving a few bucks. By the same token, you should never be paying what you think is a professional-grade price for insect repellent, so if you see a sky-high markup, that could also be a red flag.

For up-to-date prices on tick repellents for humans, see our buying guide below.

The condensed version: most repellents do, in fact, work. 

They might not have a 100% effectiveness rate, but they will keep the majority of ticks away from your feet, which is the number one goal.

Remember: some tick repellents work better than others. Be sure to find one that works well with your skin type, and one with which you are most comfortable.

The Tick Repellents Reviewed

In the below section we break down each of our product recommendations in a little more detail.​