I am sure many of us live in areas where the bug population, particularly mosquitoes, horseflys, etc, make it so we don't want to be caught outside in the shade, the bush, or when the sun comes down.
Most of the commercially available bug spray active chemicals, like DEET in Canada and the US , Picaridin in the US, and whatever else is used are reasonably effective at warding off pests.

As a side note, while Picaridin is considered an illegal insecticide in Canada, it can be brought across the border in volumes of less than 500ml. I find it to be much more effective than DEET. DEET can cause damage to plastics, fishing lines, some rubbers etc... whereas Picaridin does not. For bush use, I think it`s the best option out there for application to skin.

Permethrin is sold in Canada as a product called Insectigone, in a .25% concentration, I found it at Rona, in the Gardening section.
In the US it can be bought as a 10% solution, and again, transported back in containers 500ml or less. It requires dilution before use.
When traveling to countries where there is fear of disease spread from insect bite, it is very common to spray this solution onto mosquito nets and clothing as an extra barrier to the bug spray you apply to your skin.
The .25% spray can be directly applied to your clothes, once it is dried it is completely odorless, and will last up to 2 weeks or 2 washes. You spray your entire garment, focusing on the cuffs and collars, hang dry and enjoy superior bug bite protection.
If you are diluting the 10% solution, it is 8oz of Permethrin to 4 Quarts water, and you can soak your clothes in it completely for 10 mins, hang dry. This will last 6-8 washes and up to 6 months.

This product is toxic to fish and so should not be used near waterways.
You can dispose of excess product after treatment of clothing around the perimeter of your home as an insect barrier.
It is completely bio-degradable to carbon dioxide and water.

Some people might not be into putting this product onto their clothes, which in turn touch their skin, and that is a choice each person has to make.