9 best tick repellents for humans

*Editor’s review of the best ones. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective, not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to purchase. You should seek professional advice before buying.

Ticks themselves are harmless enough. All they need is a protein from the blood, which is necessary for the life and reproduction of these bugs. The problem is that ticks are capable of carrying dangerous viruses that can cause serious illness: encephalitis, Lyme disease, spot fever, ehrlichiosis, typhus, and other pathologies that can lead to disability and death. The insect’s insidiousness lies in the impossibility of identifying the carrier of the infection without laboratory testing. To reduce or eliminate the risk of a tick bite, manufacturers offer various means to repel unwanted “companions.

EXPERTOLOGY online magazine experts have studied the market of special anti-tick repellents and acaricides and rating the most effective products that can ensure the safety of mushroom pickers, fishermen, vegetable growers and other holidaymakers in areas without proper treatment.

Rating of the best tick repellents

The best external tick remedies

The most reliable remedies against the bite of the parasite are various gels, sprays and creams. They are applied to the skin or clothes, creating a protective barrier: insects are repelled either by the smell of the repellent, or the composition of the formed film or fabric impregnation kills them.

Killing power Anti-Tick 3in1

Rating: 4.9

The first tool in the ranking – domestic production spray killing force Antiklesch 3in1, designed to protect against ticks found in the taiga and forests, including ixodid insects. The composition will also eliminate the landing of bloodsuckers – mosquitoes, mosquitoes and biting midges. The main advantage of the acaricide “Killing power” – action on the defeat: the insects that come into contact with the solution and the resulting film, die, rather than hide in fright. Such a severe concentration of the active substance does not allow applying the drug on skin – only on clothes, but the effect lasts up to 5 days (for bloodsuckers) and up to 15 days for ticks. Thus, Antikleshch 3in1 can be called not only effective but also economical product. However, the treatment should be carried out until the clothes are slightly dampened, i.e. the cloth is completely saturated with the liquid and then it must dry before putting on. Respectively after wearing it it is necessary to take a shower and wash the rests of the preparation from the skin. Antiknitsch is completely safe for human health, except in cases of allergy to the components of the solution.

Advantages

• Protection against bites of ticks and flying blood-sucking insects;
• Effective for a wide range of parasites;
• Kills bloodsuckers;
• Low price of about 75-80 rubles.

Disadvantages

• No protection for exposed body parts (cannot be applied to the skin);
• Requires complete impregnation of the garment fabric to a wetted state.

BRIZ ANTIKLESHCH

Rating: 4.8

Product BRIZ-Antitick is intended for professional use by foresters and hunters in order to protect against attacks of the ixodid group of ticks, carriers of most viral infections that can lead to disability and death. Like Killing Power, BRIZ kills insects and does not repel them, but on other bloodsuckers the effect does not extend and additional repellents are required.

Acaricide BRIZ-Antiklesch was originally developed as a remedy for the protection of law enforcement agencies, so increased attention is paid to formulation and manufacturing process: the can contains the maximum amount of active substance up to 70%, which corresponds to GOST. Apply to clothes until the slight moistening of fabric, and then it is recommended to dry it, only then put on. Leaves exposed areas of the body unprotected, which it is recommended to inspect after a hike in the woods.

Cost of domestic agent against ticks BRIZ-Antikleshch is about 200 rubles per 110 ml.

Advantages

• Kills ixodid ticks;
• The canister is filled according to GOST (70% of active ingredient α-cypermethrin).

Disadvantages

• Requires treatment after clothes are washed and before every use of equipment (tents, sleeping bags, etc.). d.).
• Does not protect exposed areas of the body.

Gardex Extreme

Rating: 4.7

Well known manufacturer of protection against insects Gardex offers an effective spray against ticks Extreme, which is easy to apply on clothing, equipment and shoes with a sprayer-doser. Keeps operative for up to 2 weeks. The concentration of the active substance does not kill the insect, but paralyzes it on contact with clothing. In addition to ticks Gardex Extreme will help prevent flea attacks.

The spray can not be applied to the skin, only on the clothing until the slight moisturizing of the fabric. Repeated treatment is required after washing or after the expiration of the drug.

The cost of a can of 250 ml – about 360 rubles.

Advantages

• Paralyzes known ticks and fleas, preventing them from biting;
• Convenient application;
• Long lasting effect 15 days.

Disadvantages

• Relatively high price (brand);
• Cannot be applied to the skin.

Gardex Extreme Aerosol Repellent

Rating: 4.6

In fourth place is another product Gardex – an aerosol repellent Extreme, suitable for protection against ticks and other blood-sucking insects. Means repels mosquitoes, gadflies and gadflies, keeps this property up to 4 hours – a good indicator for such means-repellents. With ticks, the situation is ambiguous: spray applied to the skin, these parasites are not scared away, it paralyzes them only applied to clothes, when the tick interacts more closely with the active substance. But the effect lasts up to 1 month (for flying insects) and up to 5 days for ticks.

The cost of universal repellent is about 250 rubles for 150 ml.

Advantages

• Suitable for protection against most known insects and ticks;
• Keeps its properties on the clothes for a long time;
• Can be applied on the skin.

Disadvantages

• Applied to the skin does not protect against ticks (incomplete protection);
• strong odor;
• Do not apply on the skin more than once a day – not enough for a long stay in nature.

Mosquitol Anti-Tick

Rating: 4.6

Mosquitall reinforced formula against ticks kills the insects without allowing them to bite. And the application is possible both on clothes before moisturizing, and on the skin, the manufacturer assures the same effectiveness in both cases. Mosquitol anti-tick is effective for up to 2 hours on the skin and up to 5 hours on clothing, so protection must be regularly updated. The product is allowed to use by pregnant women and small children from 3 years old. On the other hand, not all flying bloodsuckers are afraid of the compound.

Cost per 100 ml – about 180 rubles.

Advantages

• Kills ticks;-
• Repels some flying insects, bloodsuckers;
• Can be applied to the skin;
• Safe for children from 3 years old and pregnant women.

Disadvantages

• Short-term effect (2 and 5 hours on skin and clothes respectively).

Medilis-comfort

Rating: 4.5

The sixth place was assigned by the experts to the means of Russian production Medilis-Comfort, designed to combat various insects: ixodid ticks, blood-sucking mites, gnats and mosquitoes, biting midges and gadflies. The active ingredient – detail in concentration of 20%, it can be applied only to clothes, shoes, mosquito nets and uniforms. Does not lose effectiveness within 2 weeks, and flying bloodsuckers will not disturb the peace of the tourist, and after a month. Additional repellent agent alfacipermetrin. Accordingly, Medilis-Comfort has acaricide-repellent properties, i.e. repels insects and kills, if they came into contact with the preparation on the clothes.

The cost of a can of 100 ml of Medilis-Comfort – 180 rubles.

Advantages

• Acts on a wide range of pests;
• Combined acaricide and repellent effect.
• Long term preservation of properties.

Disadvantages

• Hard to find in the free sale, buying mainly through pharmacies and online stores.
• Cannot be applied to the skin, does not protect exposed body parts.

Defi-Taiga

Rating: 4.5

Completes the rating in the category of Defi-Taiga mite repellents, repellent. Class III and IV toxicity, suitable for use on clothing, outfit and skin, repels not only ticks but also mosquitoes, gnats, mosquitoes. Users note the unconditional effectiveness, but the effect is short-lived – after a few hours, the treatment of the skin has to be repeated. Defi-Tiga is found in the free sale, a spray can be bought for 150 rubles.

Advantages

• Effectiveness against various insects, including various ticks;
• Reasonable price.

Disadvantages

• Short-term effect (1-2 hours).

The best modern technology from ticks

Lotions, sprays and creams can not all be applied to the skin, their effect is limited in time, and not everyone can use contact agents. Manufacturers of electronics and “smart” equipment present an unusual solution – portable devices that study sound and electromagnetic waves that repel ticks and other insects, thus creating a safe environment in the territory with a certain radius. For humans, such effects are safe and almost imperceptible, have no contraindications.

On the one hand, electromagnetic devices are interesting and convenient, on the other – not always effective. Marketing tricks or proven benefits? EXPERTOLOGY experts analyzed 2 popular gadgets.

Ultrasonic pincer repellent “Antiklesh M”

Rating: 4.9

AG13 battery-powered little gadget “Antiknit M” is equipped with a belt, you can wear it over your clothes as an accessory when hiking in the woods. It emits ultrasonic waves, which the human ear does not perceive, and mites feel, experiencing discomfort, respectively, do not approach the source close to the source, the range of the device – 4 meters. Generator of ultrasonic waves operates in three modes, adjustable to the frequency of ticks, fleas or bedbugs. Belt can be adjusted to any waist or even pet’s neck to protect pet’s body from bites. The device is used in any humidity – the body is protected against water penetration.

It is worth noting: the ultrasonic tick repeller “Antiknitsch M” cannot be a cure-all from a tick bite, but it reduces the risk to a minimum. It is necessary to observe the rules of caution and still check the body for bloodsuckers after a walk. Some users have tested the device in extreme conditions and found bites. This can be caused by the overlap of the emitter and the uneven distribution of the waves.

The cost of the device – about 2200 rubles.

Advantages

• Safe for human health device;
• Adjustable Strap;
• Isolated from water;
• Protects against ticks, fleas and bedbugs at different frequencies;
• Long battery life – up to 4 months.

Disadvantages

• High price;
• Lack of efficacy in some cases.

A remedy against ticks
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Rating: 4.8