Gnat infestation can be infectious, disturbing, and extremely irritating. Recently, we discussed how long gnats live?
If you are looking for quick prevention methods to keep gnats away, commercial gnat repellents will be your best bet.
But given the massive variety of gnat repellents available in the market, it can be tricky to find not only the most effective repellent but also one that suits you. Read Also: How To Get Rid of Gnats.
Reviews: Top 7 Best Gnat Repellent for 2023
1. Best for Budget Buyers: Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent
Who said that the best kinds of gnat repellents are the most expensive ones? Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent is an amazingly effective and budget-friendly product.
It replaces diethyltoluamide (DEET) with 20% picaridin, which is an active ingredient that has a similar effect as DEET but is safe to use. Sawyer protects against gnats, ticks, chiggers, and many other common pests without making you feel uncomfortable.
Its affordable price makes it ideal for people who frequently use repellents or have a large family to cater to.
Features & Specifications
Sawyer Picaridin comes in convenient 3-ounce spray bottles. Unlike many other insect repellents, it is a lotion-based formula produced using technologically-advanced solutions. It has a non-greasy texture that contains a mild citrus scent and provides up to 8 to 12 hours of protection.
- Safe for use by the entire family
- Long-lasting effects
- Does not damage or leave grease stains on clothing or backpacks
- Picaridin is more effective than DEET in repelling gnats
- Its non-toxic formula allows its application several times during the day
- Has a pleasant slight citrus odor that evaporates when dry
- The small bottle size can also be carried on airlines
- The nozzle is hard to spray which can waste the lotion
- The bottle can leak
- Mild rashes have been reported to result after use
- Pump not effective when the bottle is tilted
Read Also: Fly Spray for Horses Reviewed
2. Best for Pets: Amrita Aromatherapy for Gnats
Gnats don’t differentiate between humans or animals when it comes to biting. So if you are irritated by their infestation, the chances are that your pets feel the same way.
But sadly, they can’t express it openly. Amrita Aromatherapy repellents have a specific version called ‘Bugs Be Gone For Pets, ‘ which is the best gnat repellent for pet lovers to use on their pet animals.
This DEET-free spray is a natural insect repellent that is made of six essential oils that repel not only gnats but also mosquitoes, ants, fleas, and other unpleasant creatures.
Features & Specifications
Amrita aromatherapy is a 100% natural insect repellent that comes in a fine mist spray bottle. Its ingredients include aloe vera, water, and polysorbate along with six essential oils extracted from Eucalyptus Citriodora, Lemongrass, Sweet Lavandin, Peppermint, Rosemary, and Catnip.
These ingredients primarily cause this repellent to have pleasant and refreshing citrus and herbal scent. Since the spray contains no synthetic chemicals or artificial additives, it is guaranteed to be safe for pets.
Amrita aromatherapy is suitable for both indoor andoutdoor use and has very long-lasting effects. A bonus feature is that it is a cruelty-free product which means no animals were used or harmed for testing purposes.
- It is an environmentally friendly product
- The fine mist spray doesn’t leave any residues
- Despite being a pest repellent for pets, it can also be used by adults and children
- It is budget-friendly
- Doesn’t leave a greasy feeling when applied
- Great for frequent use
- Is reviewed to be less effective in the outdoors
- Some pets may not like the odor of the spray
Read Also: Do Fleas Have Wings?
3. Best for Babies: Buggins Natural Insect Repellent
Babies are the most vulnerable to gnat bites and can show severe symptoms almost immediately.
Buggins Natural Insect Repellent is a great choice to opt for because it is free of any traditional chemicals such as permethrins, unnecessary dyes or DEETs.
It provides optimum protection against gnats and other bugs, including black flies and deer flies, that can irritate.
Features & Specifications
Buggins’ natural insect repellent comes in high-quality 4 oz. Container bottles that are suitable to carry while traveling.
Instead of artificial additives, traditional pesticides, or toxic chemical, it is composed of natural ingredients such as peppermint, lemongrass, and clove.
Your baby will not resist when you apply this product because of its fresh and distinct scent of vanilla.
- Is very safe for children
- Leaves a fresh and long-lasting odor as compared to other repellents
- Safe for use on the entire body including the face
- Comes in good quality bottles that can be carried around without the fear of leakage
- Is relatively more expensive than other repellent sprays
- Requires frequent purchase because one bottle can only be used a few times
- Is not effective in keeping mosquitoes away
Read Also: What Does a Queen Wasp Look Like?
4. Best for Sunlight Lovers: Avon SKIN-SO-SOFT Bug Guаrd Plus
This strong and dependable gnat repellent by Avon promises to keep you protected against mosquitoes, deer ticks, black flies, gnats, and biting midges.
If you or your kids love to enjoy the daylight and spend most of the day outdoor, you should not think twice before adding this to your cart. Use this after you have showered and feel comfortable all day long!
Features & Specifications
The Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard comes in a pump spray bottle, which is easy to use and leaves you with a moisturizing effect without being too greasy.
The formula is free of DEET, PABA, or other chemical agents and instead contains high amounts of aloe and vitamin E.
Tested by dermatologists, this spray is ideal for most skin types because of its non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic, water-proof, and hypo-allergenic properties.
Avon SkinSkin-So-Soft is different from other repellents because it additionally contains SPF 30, which makes it work as a sunscreen lotion as well.
- It provides moisturizing protection.
- Ideal for applying to face and body
- Can be used by the entire family
- Safe to use because it contains minimal toxins
- Protects from not only the gnats but also harmful ultraviolet rays
- Makes skin soft and hydrated
- Pleasant aroma
- Doesn’t repel bugs in few cases
- Pump spray bottle design can be mishandled by kids
Read Also: Are Plug in Mosquito Repellents Safe?
5. Best for Sportsmen: Repel Sportsman Gnat Repellent
Designed for intensive use, Repel Sportsman and its ingredients are supported and endorsed by over 50 years of research.
This is the perfect gnat repellent for people who spend a lot of time playing outdoor sports.
This provides guaranteed long-lasting protection against gnats, mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, chiggers, and fleas for up to 8 hours.
Features & Specifications
Repel Sportsman comes in the form of lotion and is contained in 4-ounce bottles.
The formula of this repellent uses a combination of traditional ingredients and natural additives – the primary ingredient being DEET, which makes 40% of the compositions.
During summers, apply Repel Sportsman insect repellent along with sunscreen for maximum skin protection.
- Easy to use and doesn’t leave a greasy residue
- Designed for heavy-duty use
- Doesn’t stain clothes or backpacks
- When used with sunscreen, there is no change or reduction in its effectiveness.
- Repels mosquitoes that may transmit the West Nile virus.
- Easy to pack with outdoor gear
- Not very safe to use on children
- Has a robust repulsive chemical odor
- Needs frequent reapplication to be useful for very long hours
- May not suit all skin types
Related: Best Fogger for Spider
6. Best for Clothes: Sawyer Premium Permethrin
Wasps are likely to cling to your clothes if they detect a potential food source in or around them.
Sawyer Premium Permethrin is a clothing insect repellent that saves you from unexpected agonizing gnat bites when you go out camping or hunting.
This product contains 0.5% permethrin, which is an odorless solution and is useful in killing many insects, including gnats. Unlike other repellents, Sawyer Premium can only be sprayed on clothing or gear pieces.
Features & Specifications
Sawyer Premium is available in 18-ounce aerosol bottles and 24-ounce non-aerosol bottles.
When appropriately applied, the repellent does not require reapplication for the next six washes and protects for nearly six weeks.
Even though there is a slight odor when the repellent is freshly applied, the unpleasant smell vanishes once it dries out.
- Kills insects as soon as they come in contact
- It is safe to be used on children who are fully clothed
- Has a great efficacy and can be sprayed on any fabric
- Is available in a variety of sizes
- It is convenient to carry around and easy to use
- Is not safe to be used around animals and it toxic for cats
- A thick coat of spray is needed which may cause the product to finish just after a few uses
- It evaporated from the skin within 15 minutes
- Can result in irritation when in contact with eyes and skin
Related: Are Plug in Mosquito Repellents Safe?
Conclusion
The best gnat repellents will allow you to comfortably enjoy summer days without worrying about gnats biting on you.
But remember that even the best commercial gnat repellent will not provide maximum protection if it doesn’t suit your skin type.
We hope that this guide helps you to choose a gnat repellent that works best for YOU!
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