I'm a big fan of Off Family spray. It's a non-aerosol with a neon pink spray cap, contains DEET, and has a more pleasant floral smell. I get 3 inch welts (currently heeling one on my forehead!) so I wear this stuff anytime I'm in a buggy situation.

A few years ago hiking in the alps and doing other outdoor activities in Austria and Germany I was chewed up and spit out by the mosquitos that left 3 inch and bigger welts thanks to being a different type of mosquito than where I live. Another ingredient they use in the EU that that is an effective DEET alternative is Icardin. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icaridin) It doesn't melt plastics and has less odor. I can't say for sure whether I've seen this ingredient in the US, I haven't run out of Off yet. I believe Icardin helps repel tics as well since they are very prevalent in the Alps and are moving north into Germany. Freaked me out since tics are an afterthought in the wet PNW climate.