You’ve found the perfect composition. The aurora is dancing. Your camera is set. And then—mosquitoes. The temptation to reach for the strongest bug spray in your pack is real. But before you mist your hands with DEET and grab your camera, here’s what every night sky or wildlife photographer should know.
Why Bug Repellent Choice Matters for Outdoor Photography
Whether you're capturing the Milky Way from Brockway Mountain or crouched in a swamp at Sturgeon River Sloughs photographing Sandhill Cranes, bug protection is essential. But not all repellents play nice with optics. Some formulas can degrade rubberized coatings, cloud plastic lenses, or leave stubborn residues on binoculars, camera bodies, and tripod grips.
That’s where picaridin comes in.
What’s the Difference Between Picaridin and DEET?
| Feature | DEET | Picaridin |
|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent |
| Gear Safe? | ❌ Can damage plastics, rubber, and coatings | ✅ Safe for gear and optics |
| Odor | ❌ Strong, chemically | ✅ Mild or odorless (sometimes peppery) |
| Skin Feel | ❌ Oily, sticky | ✅ Non-greasy, light |
| Duration | ✅ Up to 10 hours | ✅ Up to 12 hours |
| Best For | High-tick, deep-woods exposure (with caution) | General use for ticks, mosquitos, and flies around optics |
The Bottom Line:
Picaridin is equally effective at repelling mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, and no-see-ums—without the risk of damaging your camera, lens coatings, binoculars, or field notebooks.
Why DEET Can Damage Photography Equipment
DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) functions well because it’s chemical characteristics allow it to spread across the skin and confuse the sensory perception of biting insects. However, those same chemical properties allow it to function as a solvent, as well. That’s great for repelling bugs—but bad for handling plastics and rubber. In fact, many optics brands (including Canon, Nikon, Vortex, and Swarovski) warn against DEET exposure in their manuals.
Potential issues include:
Discoloration or fogging of lens barrels and eyecups
Breakdown of rubber grips and focus rings
Etching of LCD screen coatings or anti-reflective surfaces
Smudging of camera bodies, buttons, or backpack straps
If you’ve ever wondered why your camera feels sticky after a summer shoot, DEET might be the culprit.
What Is Picaridin, and How Does It Work?
Picaridin (also known as icaridin or by its chemical name hydroxyethyl isobutyl piperidine carboxylate) is a synthetic compound modeled after a molecule found in black pepper plants. It was developed in the 1980s by Bayer and is widely used in Europe, Australia, and North America as a DEET alternative.
Similar to DEET, Picaridin works by blocking the insect’s ability to smell human scent, which prevents them from landing or biting in the first place. Here’s what makes Picaridin different:
Low skin absorption: It’s non-greasy, nearly odorless (however, it does make me sneeze if I inhale even a little of the spray), and gentle on sensitive skin, making it ideal for long outdoor sessions.
Safe for gear: Unlike DEET, picaridin does not degrade plastic, rubber, vinyl, or synthetic materials—which makes it ideal for use around camera equipment, binoculars, headlamps, and backpack straps.
EPA- and WHO-approved: Picaridin is considered safe and effective by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization, with very low toxicity for humans and wildlife when used as directed.
📌 Note: While “natural” repellents like citronella or lemongrass might smell nice, they don’t offer the same reliable protection for fieldwork in the mosquito-heavy backwoods of the Keweenaw.
Best Picaridin-Based Bug Repellents for Photographers
These are widely available and trusted by outdoor pros:
Ben's Tick Repellent Spray (20%)
Easy to apply
Gear Safe
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion (20%)
Long-lasting, non-greasy, scent-free
Great for applying to hands, neck, and wrists
Ranger Ready Picaridin Spray (20%)
Gear-safe and available in a variety of scents (including unscented)
Natrapel 12-Hour Spray (20% Picaridin)
Compact size perfect for camera bags or field kits
OBSC (The Original Bug Shirt® Company)
Great as a chemical-free backup when you're shooting in wetland or boreal habitats
✅ Pro Tip: Always wash your hands after applying repellent—especially before touching camera lenses or filter glass.
Gear-Friendly Tips for Staying Bite-Free While You Shoot
In addition to switching to picaridin, follow these practices for optimal comfort and gear care:
Clothing and Physical Barriers
Wear lightweight, tightly woven long sleeves and pants
Use bug netting on your tripod or camp setup if staying in one location
Choose light-colored clothing to reduce attraction to biting insects (avoid blue clothes if deer or stable flies are a possibility)
Application Best Practices
Apply repellent away from gear and allow it to dry before handling equipment
Avoid applying bug spray directly to hands—use lotion or a cloth instead
Use a cloth or microfiber towel to handle your camera after application, especially during long exposures
Pack Smart
Store your repellent in a side pouch or sealed plastic bag away from lenses and electronics
Bring an alcohol-free lens wipe to remove smudges if contact happens
Where This Matters Most: Mosquito Season in the Keweenaw
From late May through September, mosquitoes and biting flies can be thick in:
Tamarack swamps near Eagle Harbor
Boreal forest edges at and within Estivant Pines
Wetland meadows near Bete Grise and the Montreal River
Campgrounds, parks, ridgelines, and inland lakes with slow drainage
Along Lake Superior’s shoreline
Since biting insects are nearly everywhere in the Keweenaw, while we chase stars and wildlife in these beautiful places, bug protection is non-negotiable. But ruining a $1,000 lens or camera body for the sake of a bug-free hike? That’s completely avoidable.
Final Thoughts: Picaridin for the Win
Switching to picaridin-based repellents means:
You still get protection from mosquitoes and ticks
Your optics and gear stay safe from chemical damage
You stay more comfortable and focused on your shot
Your camera’s resale value (and your sanity) stay intact
Ready to Capture the Outdoors—Without the Bites?
For more tips on gear-safe field prep and ethical wildlife photography, join one of my seasonal workshops in the Keweenaw.
📸 Book a Wildlife or Night Sky Photography Outing »