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

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

Secure a small loop of cord to a trekking pole to create a convenient place to hang a water bladder and filter water.

Nathan Pipenberg
Ekriven

Medya Mansyone

It contains 20 percent picaridin, a powerful insect repellent that will make nights around the campfire much more enjoyable.

Liz Provencher
Freelane Writer