Tick Repellent for People: DEET vs. Picaridin Compared
In short: The most reliable protection is covered clothing plus a repellent with DEET or picaridin at 20 per cent or more — according to the German Federal Foreign Office both work sufficiently against ticks, but only for a few hours. No product replaces checking yourself after being outdoors, a point the Robert Koch Institute makes every time.
The active ingredients compared
The table sums up what Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), the Hamburg consumer advice centre, the German Federal Foreign Office and the US CDC say about the common ingredients. Picaridin is sold as icaridin in Europe — same substance. We deliberately name no brands: what matters is the ingredient on the back of the bottle.
| Ingredient | Against ticks | Tolerability | Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEET | Sufficiently effective from 20 % (Federal Foreign Office); per the BfR, works better against mosquitoes than ticks | Can irritate mucous membranes at higher concentrations; not for large areas or long-term use. Damages plastics — glasses, phones, synthetic fabrics (BfR) | BfR: not under 2. Hamburg consumer centre: not under 8 |
| Picaridin (icaridin) | Effective against ticks (BfR); more effective against ticks than DEET, per the Hamburg consumer centre | Considered better tolerated than DEET, eye and skin irritation possible; does not damage plastics | BfR: not under 2 |
| IR3535 | Weakest of the synthetic ingredients (Hamburg consumer centre) | Gentler on skin, barely irritates mucous membranes, safe on plastics (BfR) | The more suitable alternative from 1 year, per the BfR |
| PMD / oil of lemon eucalyptus | Proven repellent effect (Federal Foreign Office), but shorter than DEET and picaridin | Can strongly irritate the eyes (Hamburg consumer centre) | CDC: not under 3 |
| Essential oils (lavender, citronella) | Less reliable, evaporate quickly and need frequent reapplication | Can irritate skin and mucous membranes, especially in sunlight | — |
So on DEET versus picaridin, the assessments diverge. In practice that matters less than it sounds: both work, picaridin is the gentler option and spares your glasses and phone. More important than the choice between them is the concentration — the Federal Foreign Office advises against products below 20 per cent.
How long does tick repellent last?
Less long than many people assume. The Robert Koch Institute explicitly calls the protection from repellents "time-limited". The German Federal Foreign Office gives these guide values for DEET, without separating mosquitoes from ticks:
- 20 per cent: one to three hours
- 30 per cent: up to six hours
- 50 per cent: up to twelve hours
Since DEET works less well against ticks than against mosquitoes according to the BfR, and picaridin usually lasts less long than DEET, plan for the lower end on a day in the woods and reapply as the pack says. For a half-hour dog walk, one application is enough.
How to apply it properly
- Sunscreen first, let it soak in, then the repellent on top — as the Federal Foreign Office recommends.
- All exposed skin, thinly and evenly, especially ankles, legs and the gap between sock and trouser leg — that is where ticks climb on from the grass.
- Not on wounds, sunburn or mucous membranes, and never on small children's hands, because they put them in their mouths (BfR).
- Children under twelve should not apply it themselves: the BfR advises parents to do it so the amount is right.
- Spray your clothing too, if the product doesn't stain — the RKI's advice. Keep DEET away from synthetic fabrics, glasses and phones.
- Reapply by the pack, not by feel.
Clothing: the underrated protection
The RKI lists clothing first, before any spray: sturdy shoes, long trousers, long sleeves give some protection in tall grass and undergrowth. Two details make it work better:
- Tuck your trousers into your socks. The tick then has to climb up the outside of your clothes, where it is easier to spot, the RKI notes.
- Wear light colours — a dark tick stands out on them at once.
Permethrin-treated clothing goes a step further. The CDC recommends clothing treated with 0.5 per cent permethrin; the treatment lasts through several washes and is meant for fabric only, never for skin. One important warning for households with cats: permethrin is toxic to cats, because they cannot break it down (small-animal clinic, University of Giessen) — ask your vet before buying.
After the outing, your clothes belong in the dryer, not on the sofa: ten minutes on high heat kills ticks more reliably than a 40 °C wash. Details in "Can ticks survive indoors?"
Children, pregnancy and breastfeeding
This is where the sources disagree most, and we are not smoothing it over:
- The BfR advises against DEET and picaridin for children under two and names IR3535 as the more suitable alternative from one year.
- The Hamburg consumer advice centre advises against DEET for children under eight and during pregnancy.
- The German Federal Foreign Office considers DEET and picaridin suitable "with restrictions" for pregnant and breastfeeding women and infants, and refers to the product label.
- The CDC says not to use oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD on children under three.
So the label of the specific product is what counts — it applies to exactly that formulation and concentration. During pregnancy and with small children, ask a pharmacist or doctor if in doubt. For the very youngest, the BfR suggests doing without repellents altogether. Clothing and a thorough check then carry the protection alone — how to check a child quickly is in "Checking your child for ticks".
Home remedies: what demonstrably doesn't work
The German Federal Foreign Office is unusually blunt here and lists as ineffective: repellent wristbands, taking vitamin B1 or B6, garlic, ultrasonic devices, citronella candles and tea tree oil. For coconut oil, widely recommended at the moment, we found no official assessment showing a protective effect. More stubborn misconceptions are checked in "Tick myths: a fact check".
And afterwards: check yourself
Every one of these measures lowers the number of ticks that bite — none brings it to zero. That is why the RKI's advice always ends the same way: check your body after being outdoors and remove any tick straight away. Where ticks prefer to attach is in "Where do ticks prefer to attach?"; how to get one out, in "How to remove a tick properly". And if you want to protect the garden as well, see "Preventing ticks in your garden".
Sprayed, and still found a tick? TickSpot spots even millimetre-sized nymphs — free in your browser, no account.
Start the tick checkFrequently asked questions
What works best against ticks?
The combination of covered clothing, a repellent containing DEET or picaridin, and checking your body after being outdoors. Clothing and repellent reduce how many ticks bite; the check finds the ones that get through anyway. The Robert Koch Institute names all three measures.
Is picaridin or DEET better against ticks?
According to the German Federal Foreign Office, both are sufficiently effective against ticks from 20 per cent. Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) says DEET generally works better against mosquitoes than against ticks, while the Hamburg consumer advice centre rates picaridin as more effective against ticks. Picaridin is also considered gentler on the skin and does not damage plastics.
How long does tick repellent last?
Only a few hours. The Federal Foreign Office gives one to three hours for 20 per cent DEET and up to six hours for 30 per cent, without distinguishing between mosquitoes and ticks. According to the BfR, picaridin usually lasts less long than DEET. The figure on the pack is what counts.
From what age can children use tick repellent?
Sources differ. The BfR advises against DEET and picaridin for children under two and names IR3535 as a more suitable alternative from one year; the Hamburg consumer advice centre advises against DEET up to the age of eight. The CDC says not to use oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD on children under three. The product's own label decides — if in doubt, ask a paediatrician or pharmacist.
Do home remedies like coconut oil or tea tree oil repel ticks?
The German Federal Foreign Office lists tea tree oil, garlic, vitamin B and repellent wristbands as ineffective. We found no official assessment showing that coconut oil protects against ticks. Essential oils protect less reliably than synthetic ingredients and evaporate quickly, according to the Hamburg consumer advice centre.
Sources
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR): Repelling mosquitoes, ticks and flies: are there health risks in using repellents? (15 July 2026, in German)
- Hamburg consumer advice centre: Mosquito spray: DEET, icaridin and other ingredients (in German)
- German Federal Foreign Office: Protection against insect bites (03/2019, in German — concentrations, duration, sunscreen, ineffective remedies)
- Robert Koch Institute: Tick FAQ (clothing, time-limited protection, checking — in German)
- CDC: Preventing Tick Bites (permethrin clothing, PMD in children)
- University of Giessen, small-animal clinic: Permethrin poisoning in cats and dogs (in German)
Note: This article provides general information and does not replace medical or pharmaceutical advice. The label of each product is what counts — during pregnancy and with small children, ask a pharmacist or doctor if in doubt.