Even though we had an extremely cold winter, the time has once again come for ticks. So, which tick spray should you choose for your family?

Ideally, you’d avoid ticks by wearing long pants and sleeves and staying out of tall grass and wooded areas. But it’s summer—shorts and swimsuits are the norm—so tick sprays and repellents are often the most practical option.

The Health Risk of Ticks: Ticks can carry serious diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists Lyme disease, Powassan Virus, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and more as possible outcomes of a tick bite. The longer a tick stays attached, the higher your risk; so good repellents and regular checks are essential. With that in mind, here are some top-rated flea and tick repellents to help protect you this summer.

When choosing an insect repellent, always read the label. Consumer Reports has found that certain ingredients reliably protect when used on exposed skin. Look for products with 20–30% of at least one of these: DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or picaridin; and remember that DEET and picaridin last longer than oil of lemon eucalyptus, which must be reapplied more often. 

Sprays containing these ingredients help repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting insects. Overall, DEET-based products tend to work best.

You can also protect yourself by wearing clothing treated with permethrin or by using a permethrin spray on your clothes. Just remember: never apply permethrin directly to your skin.

Some people turn to essential oils to kill or repel ticks. However, Consumer Reports notes that, aside from oil of lemon eucalyptus (which isn’t a true essential oil), none have been proven effective against fleas, ticks, or mosquitoes.

Regular Scheduled Tick Spray: If you don’t want to keep reapplying bug spray every time your kids go outside, consider regular tick treatments for your yard. Keeping your outdoor space as tick-free as possible can give you extra peace of mind when your family is at home.