SPRAY AWAY, SKEETERS

THE bug-spray aisle can be overwhelming, but picking the right formula is simply a matter of knowing how to decode the labels — which is actually easier than you think.

Joseph Conlon, technical adviser to the American Mosquito Control Association, says to look for an Environmental Protection Agency registration number on the bottle. This means the spray is effective and won’t harm you. After that, find a formula with one of three active ingredients.

The first, DEET, is the gold standard of insect spray, Conlon says, despite its scary reputation as a harsh chemical. Reach for a formula with 25 to 35 percent DEET — such as Off! Deep Woods VIII ($3.59 at Target.com) — enough to repel mosquitoes without any side effects.

But if you’re wary of abrasive chemicals, look for gentler sprays containing 20 percent picaridin. It’s a derivative of the pepper plant and repels mosquitoes and ticks with nearly the same efficiency as DEET. Try Sawyer Picaridin ($7.50 at REI.com).

And if you want to go all-natural, lemon eucalyptus oil is an alternative that still keeps mosquitoes at bay. Look for a spray, like Repel Lemon Eucalyptus ($7.75 at REI.com), that contains 30 percent of the oil in its formula.

While sprays aren’t your only option, Conlon says alternatives like wristbands and candles aren’t nearly as effective. As for clip-on fans that promise a cloud of protection? “You’re going to be sitting in a cloud of pesticide,” Conlon says, “and if a breeze comes along, it’s going to blow it away from you.”