Looking for the best gnat repellents to annihilate these pesky bugs?
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In this Pest Strategies guide you’ll learn:
- Our #1 overall gnat repellent
- What ingredients are in gnat repellents
- Tips about using gnat repellents and ways to make them last
- Typical costs for decent repellents
- And the 5 products we reviewed
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Repel Sportsman
- Uses 40% DEET to repel gnats and mosquitoes
- Last 10 hours
- Comes in an easy to apply lotion
Specifically developed for the outdoors, the repel sportsman is our top pick.
Why?
Mainly because it combines the powerful anti-gnat/anti-mosquito ingredient DEET with a lotion. This allows you to pinpoint the location where you want to apply the repellent.
Unlike aerosol sprays where you have to do your best to aim, the lotion can be conveniently applied on your hand and rubbed evenly where you need it.
Of course, some parent’s might not like applying DEET products on their children, which makes total sense.
If this is you we’d recommend theBug Soother Insect Repellent, which uses DEET free plant based active ingredients to keep gnats away.
Want to learn more about the other products we reviewed or more information about buying repellents? Keep reading!
Ed has been working in the pest control industry for years helping 1,000's of homeowners navigate the world of insect and rodent management. He manages Pest Strategies now helping homeowners around the world!
Repel Sportsmen Insect Repellent Lotion
Features
- Designed for heavy outdoor use
- Can be used on conjunction with sunscreen
- Comes in an easy-to-apply lotion formulation
Bug Soother Insect Repellent
Features
- DEET-free, natural ingredients
- Works on most flying insects
- 非蓝色，方便的喷雾瓶
No Natz Repellent Spray
Features
- Powerful blend of six essential oils
- DEET-free
- All-natural ingredients
Repel 100 Insect Repellent
Features
- Uses traditional DEET
- Effective against gnats and mosquitoes
- A good hiking repellent
Sawyer Products Premium Picaridin Insect Repellent
Features
- Non-DEET
- 基于乳液的配方（与喷雾剂相反）
- Lasts 12 hours
Table Of Contents
5 Best Gnat Repellents
Short on time? Take a look below for the top 5 in our list. Otherwise, check out our buying guide just below:
- Repel Sportsmen Insect Repellent Lotion(Our top pick)
- Bug Soother Insect Repellent(Great DEET-free option for families/children)
- No Natz Repellent Spray
- Repel 100 Insect Repellent
- Sawyer Products Premium Picaridin Insect Repellent
我们都是familiar with the constant swatting we have to do during the summer to get gnats away from our faces…
Gnats aresmall, non-biting insectsthat become a common nuisance during the summer months.
Although they aren’t interested in people, they like to live in homes, especially if there are fruit or plants inside.
While gnats play an important role inaquatic ecosystems, they are a pain in the home and to you.
Most gnats don’t bite, although they might try to reproduce using your potted plants or fruit left on the counter to ripen.
They also have a tendency to land on people or swarm to reproduce, which means you might be overwhelmed by gnats when you walk into your yard.
Thankfully, scientists have developed some repellent sprays to keep them away from you and your family.
Want to find the best gnat repellent? Read on…
What To Look For In A Repellent?
Many gnat repellents are similar, but they have some major differences when it comes to ingredients, cost, and staying power.
- Watch out for folks who claim to have “natural” repellents
Several makers of “natural” insect repellents usually contain essential plant oils like cedar or citronella. They claim that their products fend off insects, but it’s only really true for products that contain oil of lemon eucalyptus. - Don’t buy products based on chemical or concentration
Many repellents contain similar active ingredients, but not all work the same. Some inactive ingredients in repellents and the concentration of multiple ingredients in these products can create great differences in their effectiveness and possible adverse reactions to them. - Don’t use combination sunscreen-insect repellent products
这些不是一个不错的选择，主要是因为应该每两个小时重新涂一次防晒霜，而驱虫剂不需要过度应用。过度暴露于驱虫剂中的活性成分可能对您的健康有害。
Remember to choose an option that suits your needs and budgets, and don’t be afraid to experiment to find the right one.
What’s In A Gnat Repellent?
Most gnat repellents use permethrins.
苄氯菊酯是由菊花花的提取物制成的农药。
Permethrinstarget gnats and eliminate them by affecting the nervous system. Recently, more and more companies have started to produce repellents that use all natural products.
These ingredients are safer for people, usually non-toxic, and often have a more pleasant scent. However, they do tend to be more expensive. The ultimate goal is to choose a composition you are comfortable with.
Traditional Pesticides
Permethrins are the traditional ingredient in gnat repellents. Permethrins can be used around humans and pets, but users like yourself need to be careful.
Cats are sensitive topermethrins, and so are small dogs. If ingested, they can make humans sick or cause irritation, but they pass through the body quickly.
Despite these side effects,permethrins是驱除GNAT的研究最有效的成分之一。这些被认为是驱虫剂中最常见的成分，它们的寿命比天然成分更长。
Another common product isdiethyltoluamide, which has over 60 years of research to support its ability to repel gnats and mosquitoes.
Natural Ingredients
Most natural ingredients in gnat repellents are ingredients you’ve already heard of, likeeucalyptusextract in the form of essential oils.
These natural ingredients tend to be made without chemicals, preservatives, and parabens. Repellents that use these ingredients are more expensive, but also smell more natural and some can even be used on pets.
But fewer studies have been conducted about these repellents, so they might not be as effective as regular pesticides.
How Long Does Gnat Repellent Last?
Not all gnat repellents are the same.
根据组成，驱虫剂可以持续四个小时或十个小时。这些差异通常是所用成分的混合和化学成分的结果。
Those “inactive” ingredients manufacturers put into the repellent have a significant effect on the staying power.
Ingredients
If you choose a spray which uses more traditional ingredients likepermethrins, then the spray tends to last longer.
Some of these sprays can also be used on equipment like backpacks and provide all-day protection if you’re the hiking type. More natural ingredients like essential oils last a shorter length of time and can also be used on equipment for gnat protection, but need to be reapplied frequently throughout the day. On the plus side, they tend to smell of ingredients like lemon or eucalyptus.
Woo hoo!
How Much Does Gnat Repellent Cost?
Traditional chemical based gnat repellents are usually more affordable where natural “green” repellents tend to be more expensive. Regardless of what you pick, grabbing a couple repellent bottles typically won’t break the bank.
Check out what we’ve found to be great options below!
Gnat Products We Reviewed
In the below section we break down each of our product recommendations in a little more detail.
No Natz Repellent Spray
No Natz is an all-natural spray that repels several flying pests. Here are just a few examples:
- Gnats
- No-see-ums
- Mosquitoes
- Biting Flies
This hand-crafted formula keeps unwanted bugs from biting. It uses six essential oils including:
- Rosemary
- Geranium
- Lemongrass
- Citronella
- Olive
- Coconut
No Natz is safe to use for the entire family, including small children. It’s DEET-free, hypoallergenic, and contains no aerosols. So, it won’t harm people or the environment.
No Natz Repellent Spray is a quality product guaranteed to work well and smell great. That’s because it’s made in America by a veteran-owned company.
The Good And The Bad
- Powerful blend of six essential oils
- DEET-free
- All-natural ingredients
- 方便
- May have to apply often during heavy activity
Bug Soother Insect Repellent
Now there’s a DEET-free solution to those pesky outdoor gnats. Bug Soother repels several kinds of flying bugs and insects, including:
- Gnats
- Mosquitoes
- No-see-ums
- Sand fleas
- Black flies
Bug Soother is all-natural and uses no harmful pesticides or chemicals. The ingredients in this highly effective formula include:
- 100 percent lemongrass oil
- Vanilla extract
- Castor oil
- Vitamin E
错误使用橡皮奶头在你的下一个户外冒险quickly repel flying insects. It comes in a convenient spray bottle, so you can take it anywhere, and it’s gentle enough to use on children and pets.
The Good And The Bad
- DEET-free, natural ingredients
- Works on most flying insects
- 非蓝色，方便的喷雾瓶
- Safe to use on children and pets
- Requires frequent reapplication
Repell 100 Insect Repellent
Repel 100 Insect Repellentuses traditional pest repellents like DEET and is effective against gnats and mosquitoes.
This product is designed to be strong enough to handle the pest populations of tropical regions and the southern United States.Repel 100possesses a strong odor and creates an effective barrier around people so that gnats don’t even come close.
Unlike some other options, this spray should not be used on pets or small children and is recommended for people who need strong protection. I personally like using this brand when I need to go hiking because bugs don’t even touch me.
I would recommend it to individuals who know they will be outside all day rather than for general use.
The Good And The Bad
- The spray can last for 10+ hours.
- Can work in with heavy mosquito and gnat populations.
- Uses traditional DEET pesticides, which are very reliable.
- Product uses DEET, which might not work for everyone (non-natural).
- Only sold in 1-4oz bottles (you'll need to buy multiple for good use).
- Smells like chemicals and will leave an oily residue on skin.
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent
TheSawyer Products Premium Insect Repellentuses picaridin, which is a strong insect repelling spray.Picaridinis effective against gnats, ticks, chiggers, and many other common pests.
I recommend this product to families because it can be used on adults and older children safely. It’s effective against most common insects and pests, including gnats, ticks, and mosquitoes.
Unlike some other repellents, the spray leaves a very mild residue and lacks the strong chemical odor of other products. I recommend theSawyer Products Insect Repellentto people who need to use repellents frequently or have a lot of people they need to protect from gnats.
The Good And The Bad
- The spray is safe to use on entire family, including children
- The product should not stain or damage clothing/backpacks
- Usually lasts for 12ish hours
- 该喷雾剂对许多不同类型的害虫有效（Chiggers，Gnats，Bite Flies，Sand Flies等）有效
- The nozzle can be hard to aim, which could waste some of the spray
- The spray bottle has been known to leak (use a zip lock bag)
- Can leave oily residue on the skin although it isn't absorbed
Repel Sportsman
Repel Sportsmen targets its lotion towards people who spend a lot of time outdoors. The product lasts for up to 8 hours before needing a reapplication and uses a combination of traditional ingredients like DEET with natural additives.
乳液是有效对抗蚊子、虱子、gnats, biting flies, chiggers and fleas, which means it can be useful for people who are worried about gnats and other pests.
Repel Sportsmenis designed for heavy duty use and has over 50 years of research to support its ingredients. One of the reasons I like the Sportsmen line is that it can be applied with sunscreen for maximum skin protection during the summer.
The Good And The Bad
- Comes in an easy to use lotion form.
- Designed for heavy-duty use outdoors and combats many different pests
- 乳液易于涂抹，不会留下油腻的残留物
- The product should not stain or damage clothing/backpacks
- People can use the lotion and a sunscreen at the same time without reducing effectiveness
- Uses 40% DEET, which may be no good for some folks
- Has a strong chemical odor (because of the DEET)