Quick answer: Use an EPA-registered skin repellent with one of the ingredients Georgia’s health department names (DEET at 20% to 30%, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus) [1], treat clothing with permethrin if you spend time in the woods or yard, and cut off breeding at home by tipping out standing water every week [2]. For water you can’t dump, like a bird bath or pond, a Bti dunk kills larvae for about a month [9].
At a glance
- West Nile in Georgia, 2026
- 8 confirmed human cases and 1 death as of Sept. 16 [1]
- Where it turned up
- Infected mosquitoes trapped in Chatham, Fulton and DeKalb counties, among others [1]
- Season
- Typically lasts through October [1]
- Recommended ingredients
- DEET 20% to 30%, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus [1]
- Tip 'n Toss
- Empty water-holding containers after every rain, or at least weekly [2]
Why it matters in Georgia
The Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed eight human West Nile virus cases and one death by mid-September 2026, and said it expected more [1]. Traps in several counties, including Chatham, Fulton and DeKalb, caught infected mosquitoes [1]. Most infected people never feel sick, but older adults and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe illness [1].
The state’s prevention advice has two halves: protect your skin, and take away the standing water mosquitoes breed in. DPH’s “Tip ‘n Toss” campaign asks residents to empty flowerpots, planters, toys, wading pools and buckets after every rain or at least once a week [2], and to use larvicides such as mosquito dunks in containers too big to tip, like bird baths and garden pools [3].
How we chose
- EPA registration for every product, confirmed in the EPA’s pesticide label database. We took active ingredients, strengths and protection times from each product’s EPA-accepted label, which is the maker’s own legally binding claim [5][6][7][8][9].
- Ingredients on the CDC and Georgia DPH lists for skin repellents [1][4].
- One tool per job: skin repellents in three strengths and styles, a clothing treatment, and a larvicide for standing water.
- Recall check: repellents are regulated by the EPA, not the CPSC, but we also searched the CPSC recall database on November 2, 2026 and found no recalls for these products.
Our picks
Best for: Long evenings outside and yard work
OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent VIII (25% DEET)
DEET is the longest-studied repellent ingredient, and 25% sits in the 20% to 30% range Georgia's health department recommends. The EPA-accepted label claims up to 8 hours of mosquito protection.
- Active ingredient: DEET, 25% [5]
- Label claim: up to 8 hours against mosquitoes [5]
- Also labeled for ticks, biting flies, gnats and chiggers [5]
- EPA Reg. No. 4822-572 [5]
Safety check: EPA-registered (4822-572). No CPSC recall found (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: The label warns it may cause skin reactions in rare cases and says to wash treated clothing before wearing it again. If you dislike DEET, picaridin is the alternative below.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: People who dislike DEET's feel and smell
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Spray (20%)
Picaridin is on both the CDC and Georgia DPH lists, is an alternative for people who don't like DEET. The EPA-accepted label allows a claim of up to 12 hours against listed mosquitoes and ticks.
- Active ingredient: picaridin, 20% [6]
- Label claim: up to 12 hours against listed mosquitoes and ticks [6]
- Pump spray; label says not to spray directly on the face [6]
- EPA Reg. No. 54287-22-58188 [6]
Safety check: EPA-registered (54287-22-58188). No CPSC recall found (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: Pump sprays drift in the wind, and the label says not to apply it to small children's hands.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Adults who want a plant-based option
Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent (30% OLE)
Oil of lemon eucalyptus is the plant-based ingredient the CDC and Georgia DPH include on their lists. This one is 30% OLE, registered with the EPA.
- Active ingredient: oil of lemon eucalyptus, 30% [7]
- EPA Reg. No. 305-62 [7]
Safety check: EPA-registered (305-62). Label: do not use on children under 3. No CPSC recall found (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: Not for children under 3, per the label and the CDC. It also has a strong scent of its own, and the label warns it can cause eye injury, so keep it away from eyes.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Treating clothes, shoes and gear
Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Treatment
Permethrin goes on clothing, not skin, and the CDC notes treated clothing keeps working through washes. The EPA-accepted label claims protection for 6 weeks or 6 washings.
- Active ingredient: permethrin, 0.5% [8]
- Label claim: effective for 6 weeks or 6 washings [8]
- Let treated clothing dry 2 hours (4 hours when humid) before wearing [8]
- EPA Reg. No. 50404-6-58188 [8]
Safety check: EPA-registered. For clothing and gear only; never apply to skin. No CPSC recall found (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: The label says permethrin is harmful to cats, and cats shouldn't be exposed during application or drying. Treat clothes outdoors and let them dry fully.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Bird baths, ponds and rain barrels
Summit Mosquito Dunks (Bti)
Dunks float on standing water and release Bti, a bacterium that kills mosquito larvae. Georgia DPH suggests them for containers too big to tip out. The label rate is one dunk per 100 square feet of surface, regardless of depth.
- Active ingredient: Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) [9]
- One dunk treats up to 100 sq. ft. of water surface [9]
- Label: releases Bti for 30 days or more under typical conditions [9]
- EPA Reg. No. 6218-47 [9]
Safety check: EPA-registered (6218-47). No CPSC recall found (checked 2026-11-02).
Watch out: Kills larvae only, not the adult mosquitoes already biting. Larvae that hatch after treatment can take up to 48 hours to die, per the label.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Buying guide
- Check the label for an EPA registration number. It means the EPA reviewed the product’s safety and effectiveness claims [4].
- Match the strength to the time outside. Higher concentrations of an ingredient last longer; they don’t work “better” in the moment.
- Sunscreen first, repellent second [4].
- For children, apply repellent to your own hands, then to the child’s face, and keep it off their hands, eyes and mouth. Don’t use OLE or PMD products on children under 3 [4].
- Fix the yard before you spray it. Tipping out containers and clearing gutters removes breeding sites; dunks handle water you can’t drain [2][3].
Sources
- Georgia Department of Public Health: West Nile Virus Infections Increasing in Georgia (Sept. 16, 2026)
- Georgia Department of Public Health: Protect Against Mosquito-borne Illnesses (June 28, 2024)
- Georgia Department of Public Health: Tip 'n Toss Campaign (March 30, 2016)
- CDC: Preventing Mosquito Bites
- EPA-accepted label, EPA Reg. No. 4822-572 (OFF! Deep Woods Insect Repellent VIII), Aug. 4, 2026
- EPA-accepted label, EPA Reg. No. 54287-22 (20% picaridin; distributed by Sawyer as 54287-22-58188), Feb. 14, 2022
- EPA-accepted label, EPA Reg. No. 305-62 (Repel Insect Repellent 30 LE), Jan. 15, 2025
- EPA-accepted label, EPA Reg. No. 50404-6 (permethrin tick repellent; distributed by Sawyer as 50404-6-58188), Dec. 9, 2021
- EPA-accepted label, EPA Reg. No. 6218-47 (Summit Mosquito Dunks / B.T.I. Briquets), March 27, 2008
Common questions
What mosquito repellent does Georgia's health department recommend?
The Georgia Department of Public Health recommends EPA-registered repellents containing DEET (20% to 30%), picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Look for the EPA registration number on the label.
When is mosquito season in Georgia?
The state health department says it typically lasts through October. Mosquitoes bite day and night, so use repellent whenever you're outdoors during the season.
Do mosquito dunks hurt pets or birds?
Dunks contain Bti, a bacterium that targets mosquito larvae. They're EPA-registered for use in bird baths, ponds and other standing water. Follow the label rate: one dunk per 100 square feet of water surface.