The repellent aisle is crowded, the labels are confusing, and much of what is marketed for “bugs” is aimed at mosquitoes, not ticks. Here is the evidence-based short list — and the strategy that combines them properly.

Medically reviewed by Elyssa A. Blissenbach, MD, board-certified internal medicine physician.

DEET: The Benchmark

DEET at concentrations of 20–30% is the long-standing standard for skin-applied tick repellent. Higher concentrations last longer rather than working better; there is little practical reason to exceed 30% for a day outdoors. Decades of use support its safety when applied as directed, including for children over two months.

Picaridin: The Comfortable Equal

Picaridin at 20% performs comparably to DEET against ticks, without DEET’s odor or its tendency to damage plastics and synthetic fabrics. For people who dislike DEET on skin — or who wear technical outdoor clothing — it is the everyday choice.

Permethrin: The One That Goes on Clothes, Not Skin

Permethrin 0.5% is a clothing treatment, not a skin repellent — and it is the most powerful tool on this list. Treated shoes, socks, and pants do not just repel ticks; contact incapacitates them. One application survives several wash cycles, and pre-treated clothing lasts far longer. Treat the clothes, let them dry fully, then wear — never apply permethrin to skin.

The Strategy That Works

• Skin: DEET 20–30% or picaridin 20% on exposed areas
• Clothing: permethrin-treated shoes, socks, and pants — ticks start at ground level and climb
• After: full-body tick check and a shower within two hours of coming inside

Look for the EPA registration number on any repellent label — it means the product’s efficacy claims were actually reviewed. Essential-oil products without EPA registration are, at best, short-acting.

If something gets through anyway, act inside the 72-hour window and watch for early symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these repellents safe for children?

DEET (over 2 months) and picaridin (over 2 months, per most labels) are considered safe for children when applied as directed. Apply it for them, avoiding hands and face.

Does one application last all day?

Skin repellents need reapplication per label — typically every 5–8 hours for the concentrations above, sooner with heavy sweating or swimming.

Is permethrin safe around pets?

Dried permethrin-treated fabric is fine around dogs. Wet permethrin is highly toxic to cats — treat and dry clothing well away from them.

Northeast Florida Internal Medicine treats Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses in person in Jacksonville and via telemedicine for patients in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified physician with any questions about a medical condition.