Shelf life of your bug spray

How long does your bug spray last?

It depends on its ingredients such as DEET. Most brands will tell you to pitch it after three years…but some, such as the Sawyer, claim a ten-year shelf life.

The natural bug sprays tend to lose their effectiveness more quickly, around two years. If the expiration date means anything for insect repellant, it means “it may not work quite as well.”

Continue reading to learn more, written by Jim Loboy.

Medya Mansyone

I’m also a fan of the venerable Sawyer Squeeze. Just collect water and drink!

Trey French
Ekriven

Medya Mansyone

Sawyer’s picaridin lotion lasts a long time, stores well in survival kits and cars, and doesn’t have the laundry-list poison control label like DEET sprays.

Sean Gold
Founder & Lead Writer

Medya Mansyone

I’m not a fan of bugs, so Sawyer Picaridin spray is always in my pack.

Isis Briones
Writer and Editor