Imagine this: You’ve spent hours tracking game. The woods are quiet. Then, that nagging itch begins. Deer ticks carry serious diseases like Lyme. You need reliable protection when you are deep in the wilderness.
Choosing the best tick repellent for hunting is tough. Some products wash off fast. Others smell terrible or leave greasy residue. You need something strong that lasts through long days in brushy areas. A bad repellent means constant worry instead of focusing on your hunt.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will show you the most effective, long-lasting repellents designed for serious outdoor time. Learn what active ingredients truly work and how to apply them correctly for maximum defense.
Keep those tiny pests away so you can enjoy your next successful outing. Read on to gear up with the right defense against ticks.
Table of Contents
Top Tick Repellent For Hunting Recommendations
- Long-Lasting Protection Up to 12 hours of defense against mosquitoes and ticks, and 8 hours against biting flies, gnats, sand flies, no-see-ums, chiggers, and more. Ideal for hunting, hiking, fishing, and camping.
- DEET-Free & Odorless Made with 20% picaridin for effective, scent-free protection. Won’t alert wildlife or leave behind a chemical smell.
- Quick-Drying Spray Formula Easy to apply with even coverage. Perfect for high-activity days in the woods, on the water, or on the trail.
- Safe for Gear & Firearms Will not damage plastics or metal finishes. Safe to use around ATVs, boats, backpacks, and firearms.
- Made for the Outdoors Developed by hunters, this clean, non-greasy repellent is tough on bugs and gentle on your gear. Designed for serious sportsmen and women.
- Long-Lasting Protection: Ben's Hunting Formula, a 20% picaridin insect repellent, offers 12 hours of robust protection from ticks and mosquitoes, perfect for every outdoor adventure
- Sweat-Proof Protection: Designed for outdoorsy people, this tick and mosquito repellent stays on through intense activities, ensuring your hunting or fishing adventures are uninterrupted by biting bugs
- Gear-Friendly & Scent-Free Spray: Apply Ben's bug spray without fear of damage to your outdoor gear and apparel; its scent-free formula allows you to stay camouflaged during hunting or fishing trips
- Travel-Sized Companion: Our travel size bug repellent in a 3.4 oz TSA-approved bottle is a must-have for your packable daypack and outdoor adventures
- Tested Tough in New Hampshire: Ben's Tick & Insect Repellent is made and tested in New Hampshire's rugged White Mountains
- Maximum DEET Formula: Ben's 100 tick repellent uses a maximum strength 100% DEET formula to keep biting insects at bay for up to 10 hours
- No Additives: Our Ben's insect spray is pure and powerful, without alcohol or other additives, ensuring long-lasting, reliable performance outdoors
- Travel-Ready Size: With a 1.25 fl oz bottle, this travel size bug spray is an essential and portable solution for hikers and backpackers alike
- Designed for Adventure: The lightweight insect repellent pump spray design makes application easy and efficient for daring explorers on the move
- Tested Tough in New Hampshire: Ben's 100 Tick & Insect Repellent is made and tested in New Hampshire's rugged White Mountains
- DEET mosquito repellent formulated with 25% DEET
- Provides protection against ticks, biting flies, gnats, chiggers, and mosquitoes that may carry the Zika virus
- Provides tick protection against ticks that may cause Lyme Disease and also provides protection against mosquitoes
- Aerosol tick spray that allows for easy application
- Ideal insect repellent for fishing, hunting, camping and hiking
- THE POWER COUPLE: Pair our most-loved scent free bug spray formulas for the ultimate duo. 20% Picaridin insect repellent spray for body with a 0.5% Permethrin spray for clothes and gear.
- NON-GREASY & SCENT FREE: Clothing-worn Permethrin 0.5% insect repellent lasts up to 5 washings or 40 days of sun exposure, while body-worn Picaridin 20% insect repellent provides 12 hours of protection from ticks and mosquitos that cause vector-borne diseases.
- DEET-ALTERNATIVE: Permethrin 0.5% is safe for use on dogs and horses. Picaridin 20% is a safe DEET alternative for the whole family; Protects children (over 1), adults, and is safe for use during pregnancy
- QUICK-DRYING: This insect and tick repellent will not stain or damage clothing, fabrics, plastics, finished surfaces, or any of your outdoor gear
- 360-DEGREE TRIGGER SPRAY: Long-lasting protection; Picaridin 20% deters and Permethrin 0.5% repels and kill ticks, mosquitos and biting insects
- PICARIDIN-BASED INSECT REPELLENT: DEET-free, picaridin-based spray for effective protection. Trusted by hunters and backed by Realtree, the only licensed Realtree insect repellent.
- UNSCENTED & ODOR-FREE: Dries completely unscented and odor-free, keeping you undetectable in the woods. Perfect for use with Mistosol and 4oz spray bottles (sold separately).
- PROVEN PROTECTION: Provides 12-hour protection from mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, chiggers, gnats, fleas, and no-seeums. Proven worldwide for effectiveness.
- NO DAMAGE TO GEAR: Non-oily, non-greasy, and non-sticky formula with 20% picaridin. Safe for gear, plastic, and clothing.
- REGISTERED FOR SAFETY: EPA-registered and CDC-recommended. Endorsed by hunters nationwide, safe for adults, children, pregnant/nursing women, and pets.
- All-natural tick repellent: made with deet-free ingredients that are effective in keeping ticks away. Don’t worry on your next hike, run, camping trip, mountain bike ride or family activity - grab Tick Ban for proven effectiveness. Enjoy the adventure, let us take care of the ticks
- Plant-based ingredients: made with pure, certified organic and non-GMO soybean and castor oils, as well as natural oils of cedarwood, peppermint, rosemary, geranium, lemongrass, and thyme. No harsh chemicals and non-toxic ingredients so it’s safe to use on your skin, clothing or gear
- Family-friendly: protect your whole family with a safe, natural tick repellent including adults, children, dogs, and horses. Great for travel, camping, hiking, golfing, fishing, outdoor summer adventures, and days spent in the mountains
- Eco-friendly packaging: convenient aluminum spray bottle is reusable + infinitely recyclable
- Fresh herbal scent: extra strength formula has a pleasant woodsy scent that you’ll love and bugs will hate. Our alcohol free formula keeps ticks, black flies, gnats, and other bugs out of your bubble. Made in the USA.
- The Ultimate Protector - Head outdoors with Ben’s, the ultimate protector from biting insects. Ben’s is made in New Hampshire and torture tested in the White Mountains, the heart of bug country
- 100% DEET Max Formula - Face even the buggiest conditions with this full strength DEET bug spray. Ben’s 100 formula contains no alcohol or additives – the only thing we put in the bottle is DEET
- 10 Hours of Protection - Enjoy all day outdoors without having to reapply your bug spray. Ben’s bug spray repels ticks, mosquitoes, biting flies, flies, chiggers, and midges for up to 10 hours
- Ultralight & Packable - Grab this travel size Ben’s and take it everywhere you go. The ultralight 1.25 oz. pump spray fits easily into your pack for portable protection that won’t weigh you down
- CDC-Recommended Active Ingredient - Choose the CDC-recommended active ingredient for repelling disease-carrying insects. This 100% DEET formula has been trusted by outdoorspeople for over 30 years
The Hunter’s Shield: A Comprehensive Buying Guide for Tick Repellent
Hunting means spending long hours deep in the woods. Ticks are a real problem there. They carry nasty diseases like Lyme disease. You need good tick repellent to stay safe. This guide helps you choose the best protection for your next hunt.
Key Features to Look For
The right repellent offers strong, long-lasting defense. Look closely at these important features when you shop.
1. Active Ingredients
The ingredient does the hard work. You want proven chemicals. Look for products containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE).
- DEET: Very strong. Works for many hours. Good for heavy brush.
- Picaridin: Often preferred. It smells better than DEET and doesn’t harm plastics or gear.
- Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE): A plant-based option. It works well but might need more frequent reapplication.
2. Duration of Protection
How long does the protection last? Hunting trips vary. A short morning hunt needs less staying power than an all-day trek.
- Check the label for hours of effectiveness. Strong repellents usually last 6 to 10 hours.
3. Application Type
Repellents come in different forms. Choose what fits your hunting style.
- Sprays: Quick and easy to cover large areas like clothes and exposed skin.
- Lotions/Creams: Good for targeted application on your face or neck. They often rub in well.
- Treatments (Permethrin): This is different. You spray this *only* on your clothes, boots, and gear, not directly on your skin. It kills ticks on contact. This is a must-have for serious hunters.
Important Materials and Safety
What the repellent is made of matters for your skin and your gear.
Skin Safety
High concentrations of DEET (over 30%) offer great protection but can irritate sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, choose lower concentrations or Picaridin.
Gear Compatibility
Some strong chemicals damage synthetic materials. DEET can melt plastic, vinyl, and even some synthetic fabrics in your clothing or on your rifle scope.
Tip: If you use a high-DEET product, apply it carefully. Permethrin treatments are safe for clothing but should never touch skin.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all tick repellents perform the same way in the field. Weather greatly affects performance.
Improving Quality: Sweat and Water Resistance
If you are hiking uphill or it is humid, you sweat a lot. Sweat washes repellent away quickly. Look for labels that say “water-resistant” or “long-lasting in humidity.” These formulas stick better.
Reducing Quality: Wind and Reapplication
Strong wind can blow sprays away before they settle on your skin or clothes. Also, poor quality means you must reapply often. Constant reapplication is annoying and sometimes dangerous if you run out of product.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the repellent changes what you should buy.
For the Stand Hunter
If you sit still for hours in a tree stand, you need something that lasts. A high-concentration spray or cream applied before you leave home works well. You do not want to reapply while sitting quietly.
For the Backcountry Trekker
If you are hiking miles through thickets, you move more, sweat more, and brush against more vegetation. You need full body coverage. Use a Permethrin treatment on all clothing beforehand. Then, use a Picaridin spray on exposed skin every few hours.
Always read the directions. Good preparation keeps ticks away.
Tick Repellent Buying Guide FAQ
Q: What is the best active ingredient for hunting?
A: Many experts recommend using Permethrin to treat clothing first. For skin protection, DEET and Picaridin are the most effective active ingredients.
Q: Should I use repellent on my face?
A: Yes, but be careful. Spray repellent onto your hands first. Then, gently rub the repellent onto your face, avoiding eyes and mouth.
Q: How often do I need to reapply skin repellent?
A: This depends on the product strength and the weather. Usually, you reapply every 6 to 8 hours unless you are sweating heavily or swimming. Always check the label.
Q: Is there a natural option that works well?
A: Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) is the most effective natural repellent. However, it does not last as long as synthetic options like DEET.
Q: Can I use tick repellent on my dog?
A: Never use human tick repellent on dogs. Dog products have different formulas. Always buy a product specifically made for pets.
Q: What happens if I forget to treat my clothes with Permethrin?
A: Ticks often crawl up from the ground onto your pants and socks first. Untreated clothes offer very little defense against crawling ticks.
Q: Does tick repellent expire?
A: Yes, most repellents lose effectiveness over time, especially after the expiration date printed on the bottle. Storing them in a hot car can speed up this process.
Q: Should I use both skin spray and clothing treatment?
A: For serious hunting in high-risk areas, yes. Permethrin on clothes kills ticks that land on you. Skin repellent stops ticks from biting exposed skin like your neck or hands.
Q: Does the smell of repellent attract deer?
A: Strong chemical smells can definitely alert game animals. Try to apply your skin repellent right before you enter the hunting area, not hours beforehand in your vehicle.
Q: How do I remove a tick if I find one?
A: Use fine-tipped tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible. Pull straight upward with steady, even pressure. Do not twist or crush the body.