Ben's
Ben's Tick Repellent Eco-Spray
Spray · EPA-registered
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Pros
- Top-tier tick and mosquito defense, 8 to 10 hours on mosquitoes and 8 to 10 on ticks from 20% picaridin.
- Picaridin feels light and low-odor, won't melt plastics, and the eco-spray skips aerosol propellant.
Cons
No significant downsides for its role.
The full review
Sold as an alternate of the Natrapel 8 Hour formula, this 20% picaridin Eco-Spray sits firmly in our recommended, maximum-protection tier. The effectiveness pillar is outstanding on modeled complete protection of 8 to 10 hours against mosquitoes and 8 to 10 against ticks, so the label's 'up to 12 hours' reflects repellency rather than bite-free time. Picaridin's published evidence anchors the case, safety reads clean, and all 7 audited claims hold up strong. Transparency is the only thing holding it back, with full active disclosure but limited quantification of the rest of the formula. DEET-free and low-odor, it sprays at any angle, skips aerosol propellant, and stays friendly to clothing and gear.
Scorecard
Expand any pillar to see exactly why it scored what it did.
Effectiveness45%100Mosquitoes: 8–10 h of complete protection. Ticks: 8–10 h of complete protection. Protection times are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format (see methodology). Scored on a saturating curve (each added hour counts less than the last), 65% mosquito / 35% tick, with reasonable confidence.
Mosquitoes: 8–10 h of complete protection. Ticks: 8–10 h of complete protection. Protection times are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format (see methodology). Scored on a saturating curve (each added hour counts less than the last), 65% mosquito / 35% tick, with reasonable confidence.
Evidence & honest claims25%97Picaridin is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 7 marketing claims audited: 7 strong, 0 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
Picaridin is backed by definitive published evidence, weighted by how close its concentration is to the studied effective dose (base 85). Of 7 marketing claims audited: 7 strong, 0 moderate, 0 weak, 0 unsupported (+12).
Safety15%96From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; low irritation; moderate aquatic toxicity (−4).
From published dermal toxicology (EPA/CIR/IFRA), scaled by each active's concentration against its leave-on limit: no notable sensitization risk; low irritation; moderate aquatic toxicity (−4).
Transparency15%88This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 20% of all ingredient concentrations (+3); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 20% of all ingredient concentrations (+3); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
Every pillar is scored from published rules. Read how we score.
How long it protects
Complete protection ends when the first bite gets through; partial protection keeps reducing bites as repellency decays. EPA label times are verified; the rest are modeled from the actives, concentration, and format.
Mosquito estimate basis (moderate confidence)
Estimated complete protection time from active ingredient + concentration; the source research used a spray-style formulation, matching this spray (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~18 h as repellency decays.
Tick estimate basis (moderate confidence)
Estimated complete protection time from active ingredient + concentration; the source research used a spray-style formulation, matching this spray (no format adjustment). Partial protection (reduced but real bite suppression) is modeled to extend to ~18 h as repellency decays. Buchel 2015: 10% picaridin tick CPT ~5 h (I. scapularis) to 8 h (I. ricinus), equal to or better than 20% DEET. Carroll 2010: 20% kept ticks off through the full 12 h test against the lone star tick; we cap at a defensible ~10 h.
Ingredient disclosure
This product publishes an ingredient list (+20); discloses 100% of active concentrations (+40); discloses 20% of all ingredient concentrations (+3); the full formula including inerts is accounted for (+25).
- PicaridinActive
Active repellent · 20%
- Polyethylene glycol
Inert · concentration not disclosed
- Ethanol
Inert · concentration not disclosed
- Water
Inert / Carrier · concentration not disclosed
- Fragrance
Inert / Fragrance · concentration not disclosed
Claims audit
What the marketing says, versus what the evidence supports.
“Won't damage sunglasses, rain jackets, plastics or synthetics”
SafetyStrongofficial
“Repels ticks that may carry Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever”
EfficacyStrongDisease-vector claims permitted on this EPA-registered label.
“DEET-free formula safe on clothing, gear, and synthetics”
Deet FreeStrongPicaridin does not damage plastics or synthetics, unlike DEET.
“Up to 12 hours of protection against mosquitoes”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~10 h).
“Up to 8 hours of protection against biting flies, stable flies, black flies, gnats, chiggers, and sand flies”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~10 h).
“Up to 12 hours of protection against ticks”
DurationStrongConsistent with our complete-protection estimate (~10 h).
“Picaridin 20%”
EfficacyStrongConfirmed on the EPA-accepted label for Reg. No. 56575-15.
Safe around dogs & cats?
Worst case from this product’s active ingredients. Do not apply this or any human repellent to your pet.
Not veterinary advice. Full guide to repellents around pets →