Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion - 4 fl. oz.
This long-lasting, DEET-free lotion repels ticks and mosquitoes—even those carrying West Nile Virus—for up to 14 hours, and biting flies and chiggers for up to 8 hours.
- Repels mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, stable flies, black flies, gnats, chiggers and sand flies
- Will not harm gear and equipment
- Low-odor, non-greasy lotion
Made in USA.
View all Sawyer Bug Spray| Best Use | Hiking Camping |
|---|---|
| Active Ingredient(s) | Picaridin 20% |
| Effective Duration | Up to 14 hours |
| Volume | 4 fluid ounces |
| Weight | 5 ounces |
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Incredibly effective. Better than a headnet.
I have used this on several multi-day trips into the Central Cascades, and its ability to repel mosquitoes is amazing. I have repeatedly sat outside eating while looking at two dozen mosquitoes hovering around me, and at no time was I bitten. In any group I have always been the one who attracts the most mosquitoes, and so this repellent had a tough task. I would not have purchased it but for a helpful explanatory article in the Washington Trails Association monthly magazine. It is not greasy, and one application lasts all day unless you sweat a great deal. I backpack year-round, and this will always be in my pack in the spring and summer.
Works incredibly well
We've had some pretty intense mosquitoes this summer. I hate the smell and downsides of DEET-based sprays, but I'm a mosquito magnet, so some kind of repellent is necessary. I decided to try this while my hiking partner used our normal DEET spray. After two days of backpacking, he had six or seven bites. I had only one-- in the small of my back, where I'd neglected to apply repellent. Given the swarms, I would have expected at least a dozen bites with my old spray. This stuff works better than any repellent I've used. I also like that it's a lotion, which gives a little more control in applying than with a spray. Once it dries, there's no discernable smell or residue.
Superior to sprays
I prefer a lotion repellent over sprays because of ease of application. This is a thin lotion and goes on very smoothly and spreads easily. Dries quickly and leaves no oily residue or strong odor. Those are both strong points for me. Repels bugs well and for all day. Everything from mosquitoes to flies. My bottle has a flip top that I don't like. This product is thin when it's at room temperature (70 degrees). Much hotter than that and it turns watery. Doesn't affect performance, but the bottle does leak some. I recommend this repellent. I did switch out the factory bottle. Nalgene makes bottles that don't leak. They sell little 2oz bottles which are perfect to transfer into.
Only repellent I'll ever use again!
I gave this product its first test run on a hot, humid, 12-mile day through a fairly dense and remote side trail in Vermont that seemed to get more traffic from moose than people. I applied it early on to my legs, arms, and neck as I saw the bug swarms getting thicker, but partway through the day I took off my shirt over the growing heat. About 3/4 of the way through the day, I was getting swarmed by so many bugs I thought for sure I had sweat all the repellent off. A day later, I've noticed a few bites...but only in the places where my shirt was covering that didn't get any lotion. This stuff is better than I could have ever thought!
Great alternative to DEET
This the third summer that I’ve used Sawyer picaridin repellent. It seems to work as well for mosquitoes as DEET-based repellents without the negatives (dissolves fly line and weakens leaders, nasty taste if you get it on your lips, etc.). We used it on several trips to the Alaska interior, and found that it also works pretty well repelling no-see-I ms and whitesocks too.
I can hike during the mosquito months again!
After some miserable backpack trips dealing with massive swarms of mosquitos with massive amounts of bites, I started to avoid hiking during July/August. Mosquitos just seem to love me. And I'm one of those people who can't stop scratching once bitten. But after discovering this product, I can confidently go out into the wildnerness knowing I will be protected. It applies easily and even with mosquitos swarming, I'm good and no bites! I keep it in a small ziploc bag however, didn't have issues with leaking. It really takes away that anxiety you get swatting the bugs nonstop. Highly recommend.
Works well
I tried this out for sleeping without mosquito protection. My face and head were exposed to the beasts. for the first 8 hours it repelled them well, but after the 8 hours an occasional mosquito would land but not bite. The ones that landed seemed so disgusted by my taste that they flew off and disappeared. I had applied the cream just like a facial cream. It does taste awful. I was very careful about keeping it out of my eyes. I did carefully apply it to the eyelids. Apparently close proximity to my lips was enough to keep them away without having to apply it to my lips. After 2 days and several applications not one mosquito bite. This stuff did NOT mess with plastics or lenses! I can now sleep without netting in my hammock.
WOW
Mosquitos are extremely attracted to me and no matter what I do or apply, they still bite me. I finally found my holy grail product!! This is sooo effective that I literally witnessed mosquitos hover around me and touch my skin without biting. Literally amazed!! On top of that, it doesn’t give off a nasty chemical odor. I do agree with the other reviewers that the flip top is not the best. I had to transfer the product to another sensible bottle to take it on the go. Otherwise, this is the best!!
Much better smelling!
I got this upon the recommendation from one of the employees. He suggested I buy it, and use it in place of the deet/Off bug spray. He said that using the deet, and laying on my newly purchased air pad could deteriorate it, and eat through the material. I digress, it kept the bugs off (but it wasn't incredibly buggy), it smelled nice for when I could smell it. And it didn't leave me feeling sticky. I would definitely recommend this in place of Off.
Great stuff!
I used to be a bit of a slacker when it came to using repellant because I didn't like the smell or feel of most products. Then a friend of mine almost died because of a tick bite. Now I use Sawyer Picaridin lotion every time I'm participating in an outdoor activity. The product does not smell offensive (in my opinion) or feel slimey, and works like a champ. It doesn't do a darn thing for black flies, unfortunately, but works great against ticks and mosquitoes.