When comparing Picaridin vs DEET, the first thing people want to know is... will Picaridin Insect Repellent work? How effective is Picaridin at protecting me against mosquitos, ticks, and other biting insects? The efficacy of any insect repellent is solely dependent upon the concentration of the active ingredient. Ranger Ready uses Picaridin 20%, anything less is not as effective.
DEET at 30% concentration only provides 8-10 hours of protection against ticks and mosquitos. In other words, insect repellents that include Picaridin 20%, like Ranger Ready, provide longer-lasting protection. DEET is a yellowish-orange color and has noticeable drawbacks including its sticky feeling and its ability to dissolve watches, glasses, and other synthetic materials.