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If you want to get rid of mosquitoes and other pests in your yard to prevent mosquito bites and other bug bites, the This Old House Team is here to help. We researched the best mosquito repellents on the market and created a buyer’s guide to help you make an informed purchase and find the best bug repellent for your needs. Here are our top mosquito repellent picks.
Top 5 Mosquito Repellents
- Most User-Friendly: OFF! Deep Woods Mosquito and Insect Repellent Wipes
- Best Spray Repellent: OFF! Deep Woods Insect & Mosquito Repellent
- Best For Standing Water: Summit Responsible Solutions Mosquito Dunks
- Best Heat-Activated: Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller
- Best Design: Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
Compare Top Mosquito Repellents
| Product | Works On | Type | Quantity | Protection Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OFF! Deep Woods Mosquito and Insect Repellent Wipes | Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, and chiggers | Wipes | 36 individually-wrapped wipes | Not listed |
| OFF! Deep Woods Insect & Mosquito Repellent | Mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, gnats, and chiggers | Spray | Two eight-ounce spray bottles | Not listed |
| Summit Responsible Solutions Mosquito Dunks | Mosquito adults and larvae | Dunks | Six dunks | 100 square feet |
| Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller | Mosquitoes | Mats | Four mats | 15 feet |
| Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller | Mosquitoes | Plug-in | One plug-in | 800-to-1,200-square feet |
| Product | Works On | Type | Quantity | Protection Zone |
Most User-Friendly
OFF! Deep Woods Mosquito and Insect Repellent Wipes
- $25.32
- $26.97
- 6% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Small enough to fit in a purse or wallet
✔ Resistant to sweat
✔ Provides up to eight hours of protection
✘ Less environmentally friendly because each wipe is individually wrapped
✘ Costs more per wipe to buy multipacks
What Customers Are Saying
We found that satisfied customers liked using this product for hiking, camping, and other trips because it was easy to use and store. Reviewers said it provided quality protection against mosquitoes. Negative reviews pointed out that the price of the individual wipes broke down to be expensive.
Best Spray Repellent
OFF! Deep Woods Insect & Mosquito Repellent
- $10.98
- $13.46
- 18% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Also protects you from biting flies, gnats, and other insects
✔ Has a powder-dry formula to prevent greasy skin
✔ Sprays evenly with a sweeping motion
✘ Includes DEET in its ingredients
✘ Has a strong smell
What Customers Are Saying
We found that positive reviews noted that the product’s formula was effective at keeping mosquitoes away and that its lemon scent was pleasant. Reviewers also liked that they had the option to spray their clothing as well as their skin. Negative reviews said that there was little product in each of the spray cans.
Best For Standing Water
Summit Responsible Solutions Mosquito Dunks
- $9.69
- $11.79
- 18% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ One dunk treats 100 square feet of surface water
✔ Has a non-toxic formula for use around humans, pets, and other wildlife
✔ Labeled as safe for organic gardening
✘ Kills mosquitoes rather than repels them
✘ Needs to be replaced every 30 days
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers said these dunks worked quickly and effectively. Many noted that they were an excellent value for the money. We also noted that unsatisfied customers stated that the dunks didn’t always dissolve completely.
Best Heat-Activated
Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller
- $20.97
- $26.5
- 21% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes in many colors
✔ Has a DEET-free formula
✔ Comes with three replaceable repellent mats
✘ More expensive than other mosquito repellents
✘ Requires frequent mat replacements
What Customers Are Saying
Our team noticed that positive reviews noted that this product was effective and easy to use. Many loved this product because it was scent-free. On the other hand, negative reviews said that this product stopped working after a short period of time.
Best Design
Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
- $26.99
- $32.99
- 18% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a chemical-free formula
✔ Covers 800–1,200 square feet
✔ Offers three modes for different infestation levels
✘ Can’t penetrate walls or solid objects
✘ Needs to be plugged in
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers praised this product for how effective it was against a variety of pests. Many reviewers noted that it even worked against mice and other rodents. Dissatisfied customers we found said that the red mode, which was meant to help with large infestations, was noisy and attracted bugs.
What To Know Before Buying Mosquito Repellent
Before buying mosquito repellent, it’s important to understand how each product’s design impacts its user experience and performance. Here are three factors our team finds are the most important to think about before making a purchase.
Type
Mosquito repellents are available in a variety of forms. One of the most popular types is DEET-formulated repellent, seen in sprays like the OFF! Deep Woods Insect & Mosquito Repellent and wipes like the OFF! Deep Woods Mosquito and Insect Repellent Wipes.
For a chemical-free alternative, many repellents use a mixture of natural ingredients to ward off mosquitoes and other insects. For example, the Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller uses a plant-derived, scent-free repellent mat that’s heated to protect against mosquitoes.
Other mosquito repellents use sound instead of ingredients to repel mosquitoes. For example, the Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller emits an ultrasonic frequency that repels mosquitoes and insects inside the home.
Ingredients
Mosquito repellents use a range of ingredients. The most common one is DEET, an active ingredient that protects against mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and other biting insects and picaridin, which also is highly effective as repelling mosquitoes but does not have a strong odor and doesn’t dissolve plastics. Other repellents, including the Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller, use plant-based ingredients such as essential oils to reduce chemical exposure.
Ease of Use
The user-friendliness of a mosquito repellent is tied to its design. For example, sprays and wipes are typically easier to use than heat-activated repellers that require fuel replacements. However, sprays and wipes have a chemical smell that can stick to your clothes and skin until the residue is washed off.
Models that use sound usually require an outlet, though they need little maintenance once they’re connected to a power source. They can also emit audible noises that may bother pets or individuals who are sensitive to sounds.
Tips for Getting the Best Use Out of Mosquito Repellent
Dealing wit mosquitoes can be a huge headache, and, while all mosquito repllenets will help you avoid pesky bug bites, there are several important factors to keep in mind when using pesticides such as mosquito repellent to ensure you’re staying as protected as possible, including:
- Apply repellent any time you will be going outdoors, even if it’s just for a short period. Mosquitoes can bite any time of day, so apply repellent even if you’ll just be outside for a few minutes. Reapply every few hours for continued protection.
- Use EPA-registered (Environmental Protection Agency) repellents containing active ingredients like DEET, picaridin, permethrin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. These ingredients have been thoroughly tested and proven to repel mosquitoes.
- Apply repellent evenly over all exposed skin. Mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing, so treat those areas too or wear tightly woven clothing. Avoid applying repellent over cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
- When applying repellent to your face, choose lotions or pump sprays so you don’t inhale aerosol. Lotion repellents are also a good choice for children as they are sensitive and easy to apply.
- If also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first, then the repellent. The repellent may need to be reapplied more often.
- Wash repellent off with soap and water once back indoors. Avoid prolonged direct skin exposure to DEET as it could cause irritation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mosquito Repellent
How do I protect my yard from harboring mosquitoes?
To keep mosquitoes out of your backyard, remove standing water around your home, as this can attract breeding mosquitoes. Additionally, consider placing propane tank mosquito traps around any standing water in your backyard or planting insect-repelling plants, such as mint, basil, citronella grass, and lavender.
Can mosquitoes bite through clothing?
While mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing, wearing long sleeves and pants can help deter biting.
What scents keep mosquitoes away?
Mosquitoes tend to avoid natural scents, such as peppermint, lavender, and lemon.
Why Trust The This Old House Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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