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Sawyer's exclusive low-odor DEET formula provides maximum protection.
About Sawyer
Since 1984, Sawyer Products has offered technologically advanced solutions for protection against sun, bugs, water, and injuries -- everything from first aid kits developed for wilderness to point-of-use water filters that filter contaminated water to levels cleaner than U.S. bottled water.
Sawyer MAXI DEET
Effective against mosquitoes and ticks for up to 10 hours
Offering DEET in its pure form, Sawyer MAXI DEET gives you more control on how much you apply and requires fewer re-applications.
Ideal for use in areas of extreme bug density, the low-odor MAXI DEET bug-repellent from Sawyer Products can be used on exposed skin areas to protect against mosquitoes, chiggers, fleas, gnats, black flies, biting flies, and ticks and the diseases they carry. In addition to applying to your skin, MAXI DEET can be used on mosquito nets, head nets, and clothing.
- Use in combination with Sawyer Permethrin Spray for full body repellency
- Compatible with sunscreens (including Sawyer Stay-Put)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DEET Protect Against Flies?
Some yes, but mostly no. If flies are going to be an issue, we recommend using Sawyer's Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin (which was reviewed by Consumer Reports as the Fisherman's Formula in its list of safe and effective insect repellents in February 2016). Picaridin is much more effective against flies than DEET, especially at 20% which is higher than other Picaridin formulas available on the market.
Is DEET Safe to Use on Clothes or Equipment?
DEET should not damage cotton, wool, or nylon. However, it should not be applied to or near acetate, rayon, spandex or other synthetics, furniture, plastic, watch crystals, leather, and painted or varnished surfaces (including cars).
Available as a 4oz Spray Pump
Can I Wear a Repellent with a Sunscreen?
Yes. If you need both types of protection, we recommend using Sawyer Stay-Put Stay-Put Sunscreen Lotion. First apply the Stay-Put bonding base sunscreen, then apply the Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent after 10 minutes. The bonded sunscreen is less susceptible to the solvents contained in the repellent, including sprays if you use them.
Full Range of Insect Repellents
Sawyer insect repellents offer superior protection from disease-carrying insects, including the yellow fever mosquito that carries the Zika Virus. Check out Sawyer's range of insect repellents — from topical lotions and sprays to apply to your skin to Permethrin spray for applying to clothing and outdoor gear.
nichola
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2025
Was more than I expected for a first time buying on here
Chris Marquette
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2025
I use it for the bottom of my pant leg to keep the nasties away. Yet to get a tick while hiking or camping.
Kristina
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2024
We primarily have Aedes mosquitos in my area, and they are the worst. I get bad swelling, inflammation, and a hot very itchy reaction from their bites for days, and they love to bit me over others around me because my blood type.This repellent works well. I slather it over exposed skin and rub it evenly, then I am able to wear shorts and long sleeves. Before, any exposed skin would definitely get bites if I left the house even for a few moments.The formula is strong and potent. Use high caution. It will eat away nail polish and furniture lacquer upon contact. It will also leave greasy visible stains on certain clothing fabrics. I got some on a bridesmaid dress once, and it showed up like a grease stain. It was bad. I have a faux leather bench, and I’m being careful not to sit on it if I am wearing repellent because I’m guessing it can damage it.All that said, it’s worth it to prevent awful mosquitoes. I wear it any time I want to have exposed arms or legs. I always pack it in my bag on vacation during mosquito season.
Peggy H.
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2024
Bought this for a Canadian fishing trip to combats the black flies. Sawyer is one of those heavy duty tried and true repellents. If you’re sitting still in a turkey blind,or on a boat in the lake you are prime prey to all the bloodsucking insects and literally at the mercy of your repellent. This stuff works. The small convenient size is great for pockets and backpacks. One application lasts a long time so you don’t have to constantly reapply. If your passion is outdoors then this is the stuff you need
drj
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2024
To be honest I never expected to write a review for this product. DEET is DEET.... It's been around since the 50s or so and it's still your best protection against mosquitoes... Picardan in my hands simply has not been that great for the asian zebra type mosquitoes (aeges aegypti/albopicans) so DEET it is.....So why am I reading review here because DEET is absolutely a horrible product because it really wants to dissolve all of your plastics and in my experience storing DEET in my car or around the house it will inevitably get knocked over leak and destroy anything it touches....BUT! This product is packaged so incredibly well that brought joy to my heart, seriously! There is a screw cap top and when you take off the screw cap top there is a plastic plug. The spray unit is actually a separate component that you screw in later after removing the screw cap top in the plastic plug. So now in my car I keep the plastic plug in the screw cap top on all the time and I keep the plunger next to it so when I have to use it it's a little bit extra work but I know that I'm not destroying anything in my trunk or glove compartment!This is the best way I have ever found to buy DEET in a world in which I had grown used to disappointment....Oh yah. It works.
Richard S
Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2024
Deet works and it's been used by the military for decades. The other sprays and scents don't, in my opinion or experience.Just be aware that this is 100% deet, so use sparingly..do not apply it like sunscreen. A little goes a long way!
Donnamay
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2023
After literally being eaten alive last year when visiting Mexico beaches we decided to try everything this year. Part of our arsenal was this deet. We ended up transferring it to smaller spray bottles for carry on baggage. Being in the water, pool and ocean, constantly we applied several times a day. I swear those pesky mosquitoes and bugs smelled it, put on their tiny breaks and sent out the alarm to their friends, family and associates! I came home with only one bug bite this year.An issue though is that it is extremely oily. We quickly found you better apply on the lawn/grass somewhere you weren’t going to be walking or slipping. After showering at night we did use a different non oily spray for the remainder of the evening.This will be in the bag for the next trip, definitely recommend.
Kelly
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2022
In June of 2022 I hiked the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, after which I traveled around the country for 10 days, including deep into the Peruvian Amazon rainforest to explore the jungle from a treehouse. I ordered two bottles of this stuff (one for me, one for my husband) and I have to say it worked quite well! That being said, when it arrived, it was a hot mess. The lids of both bottles were ill fitting and not sealed at all, so the liquid had leaked EVERYWHERE! It made a huge mess and a was a big pain in the butt to clean up. However, once I transferred the liquid into my own travel spray bottles, the bug spray itself was really top notch! Some of my travel companions bought the jungle juice from REI and we did everything together. We got bit way less than they did. Did we still get bitten? Yes. That's just part of the fun of the Peruvian jungle, but it was only a handful of bites total for the whole trip, which is pretty good considering where we were!I can definitely recommend this stuff as a product, but I can't recommend the packaging unfortunately. You might be rolling the dice with what you get in terms of the actual bottles they come in, but the liquid works!I sincerely hope this review has been helpful to someone else. And yes, I paid full price for it. Feel free to ask any questions!
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