How to Apply Bug Spray

If you’re going to be in the sun, first rub in your sunscreen, let it absorb into your skin for 15 minutes, then apply the repellent on top.

If you need to apply more sunscreen later, you don’t necessarily need to reapply bug spray unless you notice that the insects are beginning to bother you.

Note that we don’t recommend products that combine a sunscreen and a repellent—and neither does the CDC. That’s because sunscreen should be reapplied more often than bug spray, so you could end up applying more repellent than necessary.

Mosquitoes and ticks can be aggressive biters, especially Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are the type primarily responsible for spreading Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses. They can find and bite an exposed section of skin the size of a dime. So you want to make sure you cover every inch.

Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants can help you avoid mosquito bites. Spraying your clothes can also provide extra protection. Just remember to apply to an inconspicuous area of clothing first to check for possible damage; deet-based repellents in particular can be damaging to certain synthetic materials like nylon and plastics. But insect repellent labels say you should never apply the product underneath your clothes. Using deet-based repellent under clothes may lead to skin irritation, according to the National Pesticide Information Center.

Never spray repellent directly onto your face or your ears. Instead, spray some onto your hands and spread it on your face, neck, and outside of your ears, being careful to avoid your eyes and nostrils. Don’t forget to rub it onto your head if you’re bald.

Bug sprays can aggravate open cuts and wounds, so avoid areas with broken or irritated skin.

Wash your hands after applying, especially if you’re going to be eating.

Mosquitoes tend to be attracted to certain spots on the body, including the ankles, feet, and knees. And because ticks usually hop onto you from plants on the ground, your exposed ankles are a primary target.

There’s no official age cutoff for the use of insect repellents, though the CDC has in the past said that parents shouldn’t apply any kind of insect repellent to children younger than 2 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests using deet-based repellents sparingly and only when necessary for children younger than two years, since skin can be more sensitive at early ages. And any repellent containing oil of lemon eucalyptus shouldn’t be used on kids younger than 3. (Learn more about the best bug sprays for kids.)

Spray onto your hands first, then rub onto the child’s exposed skin and face. Be sure to avoid his or her hands because children tend to stick their fingers into their eyes and mouth. And as always, avoid applying near the eyes, nostrils, and mouth. Even for older children, never spray directly onto their skin.

Our top-rated repellents all provided several hours of protection against both ticks and mosquitoes in our tests. Still, some people tend to attract more bugs than others, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, so if bugs are starting to bite again, that’s your cue that it’s time for more.

Insect repellents can also wash off in water, so if you’re swimming or perspiring heavily, you should think about reapplying afterward.

After returning indoors, wash your (or your child’s) repellent-treated skin with soap and water.

Bug bites are not only annoying but can also transmit diseases. On the "Consumer 101" TV show, host Jack Rico goes inside Consumer Reports’ labs to find out how CR tests insect repellents to make sure you are getting the most protection.