When it comes to enjoying outdoor adventures, whether it involves hiking, camping, or just spending great moments in the backyard, no-see-ums are among the pests that can ruin your experience.
- These tiny insects, measuring just 0.03 inches in length, are attracted to CO2 and sweat, and they’re biters. They’ll sneak up on your skin, bite you, and leave you with itchy, red welts that can last for days.
Therefore, finding the best no-see-ums repellent must be a top priority if you want to effectively keep these bugs at bay.
In a hurry, check these top repellents;
7 Best No See Ums Repellent 2024 Reviewed
1. Bug Soother DEET-Free Natural Spray
What’s Kills No See Ums? – No see ums are tiny bugs that usually hang out around stagnant water. Many people think they are just like mosquitos, but they are actually much smaller to easily go through clothes and mosquito screens.
No see ums bites don’t really hurt, but the next morning you will find lots of itchy bites. You might confuse the no-see-ums bites with those by poison ivy, spiders, or mosquitoes.
So, No See Ums Repellent is a product that will keep no-see-ums and other insects like biting gnats, black flies, and mosquitoes from biting people. They come with great smells that are safe for your skin and pets.
Most repellents are used to stop no-see-ums from approaching and landing on your skin – thanks to their unique scent. You can find these repellents in golf shops, marinas, independent pharmacies, and resorts.
The no-see ums can go unnoticed for up to 15 minutes and often carry the virus.
Picaridin:
Picaridin is a good ingredient for repelling mosquitoes and no see ums. It can be in a 20% concentration in the spray to give you protection against both.
Such a concentration offers a balance between side effects and protection. After each application, it will last for about 4 hours.
So, your best no-see ums repellent:
- Repels no-see ums and other biting insects.
- Safe on skin, pets, and the environment.
- Widely available in golf shops, marinas, independent pharmacies, and resorts.
2. Sawyer SP657 Bug Repellent with Permethrin for Tents & Clothing
Any Risk with DEET No-See-Um Repellents? – The spray that has DEET in it might make you feel sick. But if you don’t use this spray as directed by the EPA, then you might not be safe at all.
If you put DEET on your skin, it can be bad for your immune system and nervous system. This could make you have seizures and be nervous.
Therefore, you should use natural ingredients such as Citronella oil or lemongrass oil.
Do not use sunscreen and DEET at the same time. The sunscreen will make the DEET go into your skin faster, and it will also lose its ability to protect you from UV rays.
3. KATCHY Automatic No See Ums and Gnat or Mosquito Killer
UV light and CO2 luring – CO2 is used to lure the no-see-ums with a favorable respiration zone. You can attract the insects using carbon dioxide to move to an area treated with an insecticide and thus kill them.
CO2 mosquito traps – they have CO2 in them. They attract all the bugs that are just like mosquitoes. Bugs come close and then get sucked into the vacuum tube, where they die from dehydration.
4. Pick Avon SSS Bug Guard-Plus Picaridin (DEET-free)
The repellent contains 20% Picaridin and is DEET-free (great for sensitive skin) – and thus excellent to keep no see ums away around the home or while camping or hiking.
Guard-Plus Picaridin is a reliable and strong repellant that’ll repel and exterminate many insects including no-see-ums, chiggers, gnats, mosquitoes, ticks, and other bugs.
I found that there were mosquitoes coming up to the house from a pool of water in my neighbor’s backyard. With Guard-Plus Picaridin, and in the hot months, I can now enjoy relaxing in my backyard.
Guard-Plus Picaridin has a new ingredient called Picaridin. This is better than DEET which is used in traditional insect repellants. It will safeguard you from getting Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus.
The 10% picaridin concentration (from black pepper) is higher than in other no-see-ums sprays; this means safer protection and less need for reapplication.
Guard-Plus Picaridin contains vitamin E and aloe which moisturize your skin. It also has a delightful scent that bugs find irresistible – drawing them away from you!
It’s a dual-action repellent meaning that’ll both kill bugs as well as keep them away. This product provides up to 12 hours of protection and can even be used on your clothes or gear.
5. Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural (DEET-free )
Repel DEET-free Lemon-Eucalyptus bug spray will keep no see um away for about 6 hours. It will also repel ticks, and mosquitoes, and no see ums.
Repel DEET-free is a natural repellent that does not have any DEET in it. This means there will be no side effects related to chemical poisoning and is perfect for your outdoor adventures.
This repellent is made up of mostly Lemon Eucalyptus which is safe. You can use this during camping and biking events, giving you protection from bugs including no see um for about 6 hours.
Just like Sawyer SP5342-Ultra, Repel DEET-free is non-sticky and non-greasy since is made from lemon eucalyptus; and thus is easily applied.
This Sawyer SP5342-Ultra helps to protect you. It is an important barrier from mosquitoes that can transmit Chikungunya, Dengue, West Nile, or Zika viruses.
6. Repel 94101 40-Percent DEET Max for No See Ums
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Repel 94101 is a low-range, yet effective, solution for bugs, and its protection lasts for a long time. It is effective against many bug-like no-see ums, fleas, sand flies, biting flies, ticks, and mosquitoes.
You might want to think about using a repellent with more DEET like 100% DEET is better. But the higher the level of DEET, the less harmful it is to humans and animals.
Thus, Repel 94101 with 40% DEET will be safe for you and the surroundings. It has no strong scent and leaves no grease, and thus will be suitable for indoor and outdoor application purposes.
Repel 94101 is for people who love outdoor activities. It is especially for ballplayers, bikers, golfers, hikers, campers, and more. It’ll offer you an hour and eight hours of guard against DEET no see ums.
Equally, Repel 94101 will give protection against a range of outdoor insects like fleas, chiggers, and biting flies preventing the transmission of Chikungunya, Dengue, West Nile, and Zika viruses.
Female no-see-um bugs are as small as one millimeter to three millimeters. It makes your skin itch when it sucks blood and injects a chemical that stops the blood from clotting.
7. Sawyer Premium 30%-DEET Liposome No See Ums Repellent
Sawyer SP5342-Ultra is a Liposome-based no see ums repellent and has 30% DEET and is a Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent that’ll offer you great outdoor Protection.
The Liposome protects the active ingredient, DEET, and slowly releases it in small doses as needed to prolong the effectiveness of insect repellent.
Liposomes are natural ingredients that are used in cosmetics. Liposomes allow this formula to be more comfortable and easier to wear, and they have a very low odor.
This repellent will be good for clothes and other garments. It will keep bugs like the no see um away and is easy to apply. You will love it.
The spray won’t leave an odor on your clothes when it dries and the treatment process won’t discolor your clothes. This product is also not sweaty, doesn’t have a bad smell, and is not greasy.
When you wash your clothes with the repellent, do it for a short time just like using baby powder. It is interesting that you will be protected from bugs for 11 hours after just one wash of the clothes.
This repellent is safe for both adults and children. But if you have any leftovers, you need to dispose of them. This way there is no chance of accidental poisoning.
8. No No-See-Um Natural Repellent 2oz (2 pack)
No-See-Um Natural contains 93% water (reverse osmosis water), 1% geranium rose oil, 3% citronella oil, and 3% lemongrass oil.
The repellant also kills all types of no see um and sandflies, also referred to as punkie, biting midge, Chitra or granny nipper, etc.
Caroline Semerjian invented this repellent to use in your yard during the summer season. It contains natural ingredients (100% plant-based) and thus there is no irritation or greasy feeling to it.
I like that the bug repellent has the smell of essential oils and does not leave stains on clothes or skin.
Luckily, the repellant doesn’t have paraben, PABA, or DEET. That means it is safe for you and your kids, horses or cats and dogs.
This insect repellent is very easy to use. You just spray it on and you can control even biting gnats, black flies, and mosquitoes. This product is also approved by the EPA for insect control.
My sister lives in Captiva Island in Florida and it has the reputation of being a no-see-um hotspot. I’ve tried everything that’s out there and this works quickly while not having too much of an odor.
This is the one to go with. It will minimize red bumps and skin itching for your entire trip.
9. Repel 94100 HG Sportsmen 30% Deet Mosquito Wipes
The 94100 HG will help you repel no see ums, biting flies, chiggers, and mosquitos. These bugs may, otherwise, transmit West Nile viruses, Zika, and Chikungunya to you.
Offering travelers on-the-go protection against mosquitoes and ticks, this package includes 15 wipes with DEET. You can use the wipes on your arms, legs, and feet to stop bugs from biting you.
94100 HG is great in repelling no see um in the backyard, but it is better to use that 30% DEET Wipes when you are away from your house such as in outdoor spaces.
For example, the 94100 HG wipes will be good when you go camping or mountain climbing. This is when you’ll not stay in one place for a long time.
The 94100 HG wipes are easier to use than the spray. You can put them in your backpack or handbag without worrying about contamination with the pesticide, because of how they work.
These 94100 HG sheets are so easy to take with you on your hikes in the woods. They literally cover my arms, legs, face, and neck – and you can tuck each used sheet into the waistband for added protection against biting insects.
Alternative DIY No-se-ums repellents?
1. Geranium rose oil:
Geranium oil is a good ingredient in repellents for insects that bite like ticks and no see ums.
Geraniums are made of organic ingredients (organic and pure rose geraniums) which are not toxic to humans. It has a pleasant smell that will stay with you for hours and is also used in many other bug repellents on the market today.
They balance skin pH levels and open up skin pores so they work well with repellents.
- Geranium oil can be applied as an insect repellent or diluted into your skincare products such as lotions and shampoos, which will provide protection for either two or four hours.
2. Citronella oil:
Citronella oil is made from the leaves and stems of lemongrass. Lemongrass usually has a lot of geraniol, citronellol, and citronellal.
- It’s great to use when you are making no see-ums repellent and bed bug repellents.
You can use citronella oil to protect yourself from bugs. But it is not as good as DEET. Vanilla can help extend the protection time. It is often found in vanilla beans or in the CO2 extract.
If you like making candles, this is something to explore. If not, consider buying no see um repellents with citronella such as
- Cutter-Citroguard Triple-Wick
- TIKI-1418014 Brand 17
- Murphy’s-Naturals Mini
3. Lemongrass oil:
You can try burning lemongrass oil using oil lamps to see if it will help keep the no-see-ums and Sand Flies away – that is one reason why it is in some mosquito repellents.
Preparation:
Mix ¼ cup of witch hazel together with ¼ cup of distilled water and Lemongrass Essential Oil (Aura Cacia Organic – 21 to 26 drops).
This can be sprayed on your clothing, body, or exposed skin surfaces in order to repel insects from biting you – as noted by the Entomology & Nematology Department.
4. Special garments:
To avoid insects from getting into your clothes and biting, you should wear special clothes that have a net that keeps them out.
When your vacuum cleaner is not enough to keep the critters away, you can protect yourself with long pants and long shirts, as well as by switching on the air conditioner.
6. Small Mesh Screening
Mosquitos can get into your home through open windows. You can stop them with screens on all the windows in your house.
The small mesh screens are able to stop tiny bugs that people can’t see including no see ums.
Conclusion
There you go; This post tells you how to avoid being bitten by no-see-ums. The best way is with the best no see um repellent.
- Comment your experience with no see um and the reviewed products below!