Generally it' s not bad. In fact I hardly ever do anything other than spray my pants bottoms and boots and waist for ticks. I don' t like to get into insect repellants on me as it' ll inevidably end up on my hands and then on my mouth calls. The thing that is bad is if it' s been nice enough for the black flies to be out in NY. Then it' s a bear. I' ll carry a couple cans in the woods, spray everything and sit downwind of the fire every night just so the smoke will keep the buggers away. They are a BITCHLY.