Best Insect Repellents - Guide 2026

Stay Bite‑Free in Thailand – The Most Effective Repellents, Where to Find Them, and What You’ll Pay

In Thailand, mosquitoes are not just annoying – they’re the main vector for dengue, chikungunya and other tropical diseases. Picking the right repellent is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself. The good news: Thai shops and pharmacies are full of options; the challenge is knowing which products really work, what’s in them, and what a fair price looks like.

This guide gives you a clear overview of the most suitable mosquito repellents in Thailand in 2026: strong DEET products for jungle and rural areas, gentler sprays for everyday city use, natural options for children and sensitive skin, and long‑lasting patches and bracelets. For each, you’ll find the typical active ingredient, best use‑case and an approximate price range in baht so you can compare quickly at 7‑Eleven, Big C, Lotus’s, Boots or Watsons.

Table of Contents

• Repellent Basics: What Really Works in Thailand
• Everyday City Use: Light DEET & Comfortable Sprays
• Stronger Protection: Higher DEET & Long‑Lasting Formulas
• Natural & DEET‑Free Options (Adults & Kids)
• Patches, Bracelets & Plug‑Ins
• Quick Comparison Table: Brands, Use‑Cases & Prices
• 🌶️ Spicy Practical Tips for Thai Conditions
• 📊 Article Information

Repellent Basics: What Really Works in Thailand

For Thailand in 2026, the most reliable active ingredients remain DEET, Picaridin and certain plant‑based oils like citronella and lemon eucalyptus. DEET and Picaridin handle the worst mosquito pressure; natural oils are more suitable for low‑risk situations, short exposure and sensitive users. Creams and lotions tend to last longer on skin than very light sprays, but sprays are easier for quick application and re‑application.

For most expats, the best strategy is to keep two levels of protection: a lighter repellent for normal city life (restaurants, markets, evenings out) and a stronger formula for jungle trekking, rural travel, waterfalls and rice‑field environments where mosquitoes are more aggressive.

Everyday City Use: Light DEET & Comfortable Sprays

If you’re mainly in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pattaya or Phuket towns, a medium‑strength, pleasant‑smelling repellent is usually enough. These products are cheap, available everywhere and designed for daily comfort rather than extreme jungle conditions.

Soffell – Spray & Lotion

• Type: Spray and lotion (small plastic bottles, multiple scents).
• Active ingredient: Low‑to‑medium concentration DEET (around everyday strength).
• Best for: City evenings, restaurants, markets, beach bars, casual daytime use.
• Typical price: About 35–50 THB for small bottles (30–40 ml), 70–90 THB for larger ones.
• Where you see it: Almost every 7‑Eleven, FamilyMart, supermarket and pharmacy in Thailand.

OFF! Family / Soft & Scented Versions

• Type: Aerosol sprays and lotions made for families and daily use.
• Active ingredient: Medium‑strength DEET or Picaridin (varies by variant).
• Best for: Everyday use when you want known international brands and consistent quality.
• Typical price: Around 120–180 THB per spray can or bottle, depending on size.
• Where you see it: Big C, Lotus’s, Tops, Boots, Watsons, many minimarts.

Local “Family” or “Kids” Sprays

• Type: Gentle skin sprays marketed for children and sensitive skin.
• Active ingredient: Reduced DEET or alternative actives at lower percentages.
• Best for: Short exposure times, indoor/outdoor mix, cautious users.
• Typical price: About 80–150 THB per bottle.

🌶️ Spicy Tip: For urban life, a low‑to‑medium DEET spray is usually enough – save the heavy stuff for trips to rural or jungle areas.

Stronger Protection: Higher DEET & Long‑Lasting Formulas

When you head to rural provinces, rice fields, forests, national parks or islands with mangroves, you’ll want something stronger and longer‑lasting. High‑concentration DEET and Picaridin products are the go‑to options here.

High‑DEET Sprays & Lotions (20–30%+)

• Type: Concentrated repellents labelled for “tropical” or “jungle” use.
• Active ingredient: DEET around 20–30% or more, depending on the product.
• Best for: Jungle treks, camping, evening drinks near rivers, rice‑field regions, high mosquito season.
• Typical price: About 150–300 THB per bottle, sometimes more for imported brands.
• How to use: Apply thinly to exposed skin, avoid eyes and mouth, and wash off at night.

Picaridin‑Based Repellents

• Type: Clear sprays or lotions designed as “DEET alternatives”.
• Active ingredient: Picaridin, often around 20% for long protection.
• Best for: People who dislike DEET’s smell or feel but still want strong protection.
• Typical price: Typically 200–350 THB per bottle, especially for imported lines.

🌶️ Spicy Tip: Keep at least one strong repellent in your travel bag even if you live in town – mosquito pressure changes fast when you leave the city grid.

Natural & DEET‑Free Options (Adults & Kids)

For short, low‑risk exposure, or if you dislike chemicals on your skin, Thailand offers a growing range of natural and plant‑based repellents. These usually need more frequent re‑application but are more pleasant for many users.

Citronella‑Based Sprays (Thai Herbal Brands)

• Type: Green or clear sprays often marketed as “herbal” or “traditional”.
• Active ingredient: Citronella oil, sometimes blended with other essential oils.
• Best for: Light outdoor activities, people who avoid DEET, and those who like “spa”‑style scents.
• Typical price: About 100–180 THB for 80–120 ml bottles.
• Note: Expect to re‑apply every few hours, especially at dusk.

Lemon Eucalyptus / Mixed Plant Oils

• Type: Sprays using refined plant oils with proven repellent effect.
• Active ingredient: Oil of lemon eucalyptus or blends (citronella, lemongrass, etc.).
• Best for: Adults and older kids who want DEET‑free but effective coverage for a few hours.
• Typical price: Around 200–350 THB per bottle for imported brands.

Baby & Toddler Natural Repellents

• Type: Mild lotions, balms or sprays marked “for baby” or “for kids”.
• Active ingredient: Very low‑dose synthetic actives or plant oils; always check label by age.
• Best for: Young children, with extra attention to clothing and nets as primary protection.
• Typical price: About 150–300 THB, depending on brand and size.

🌶️ Spicy Tip: Natural products are great for terraces, cafés and quick errands – but for jungle trips or dengue‑heavy areas, combine them with clothing and, ideally, a stronger repellent on ankles and lower legs.

Patches, Bracelets & Plug‑Ins

Beyond sprays and lotions, you’ll see a lot of “gadget” repellents in Thai shops. They won’t replace proper skin repellent, but they can be useful extras, especially for children and indoor spaces.

Mosquito Patches

• Type: Small stickers infused with citronella or similar oils, worn on clothes or prams.
• Best for: Babies, toddlers, and adults who want extra protection around strollers, beds or desks.
• Typical price: Around 80–150 THB per pack of patches, depending on brand and quantity.

Repellent Bracelets

• Type: Silicone or fabric bands infused with plant‑based repellents.
• Best for: Additional protection around wrists and ankles, or when you hate spraying skin constantly.
• Typical price: Around 100–250 THB per bracelet or multi‑pack.

Electric Plug‑Ins & Liquid/Vape Units

• Type: Plug‑in devices with liquids or mats that slowly release insecticide in a room.
• Best for: Bedrooms and living rooms at night; used together with closed windows or nets.
• Typical price: Around 150–300 THB for device + first refill, 80–150 THB for refills.

🌶️ Spicy Tip: Think of patches, bracelets and plug‑ins as “bonus” protection – useful, but not a substitute for proper repellent on skin in high‑risk areas.

Quick Comparison Table: Brands, Use‑Cases & Prices

Here’s a simple table to help you compare the main repellent types you’ll actually find in Thai shops in 2026.

🌶️ Spicy Practical Tips for Thai Conditions

• 🌶️ Spicy Tip: For daily life, keep a small Soffell‑style bottle in your bag and a stronger DEET or Picaridin spray at home for trips out of town.
• 🌶️ Spicy Tip: Always spray ankles, lower legs and behind knees – Thai mosquitoes love to attack low where repellent is often forgotten.
• 🌶️ Spicy Tip: Combine repellent with physical barriers: light long sleeves, thin trousers in the evening, fans or nets on terraces, and plug‑ins in bedrooms.
• 🌶️ Spicy Tip: In rainy season or during dengue spikes in your area, switch from “natural only” to a stronger formula in the evening, especially outdoors.

📊 Article Information

• Estimated Reading Time: 8–9 minutes
• Last Updated: February 2026
• Category: Health & Safety – Thailand Expat Guides

#MosquitoRepellentThailand #DengueProtection #ExpatLifeThailand #ThailandSafety #PickeenooGuides