We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
Summer is for barbecues, fishing trips, and the distinct high-pitched hum of a mosquito zeroing in on your ear. The latter can ruin your summer fun with constant swatting and eventual itching. Mosquito repellent can save the day, or it can leave you coated in smelly bug spray and still itching from bites.
To help you find the best mosquito repellent for your needs, I tested a bunch of them in my mosquito-infested woods to find repellents that are effective and user friendly. Here are my picks:
- Best Overall: Coleman Insect Repellent SkinSmart
- Best for Backyards: Thermacell EX90
- Best Bug Spray: Repel 100
- Best Lotion: Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion
- Best for Treating Clothing: Sawyer Permethrin
- Best Indoor Mosquito Trap: Katchy Indoor Insect Trap
- Best Portable Device: Thermacell MR450 Armored Mosquito Repeller
- Best Natural: Murphy’s Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito & Tick Repellent Spray
- Best for Skin: Lemongrass Farms TREK
- Best Device for Backpacking: Backpacker Mosquito Repeller
How to Choose Bug Spray
Whether you need the best mosquito repellent for camping or for the backyard, there are two key factors to consider, the ingredients and application.
DEET vs. DEET Free Repellents
Mosquitoes find humans by detecting the carbon dioxide we exhale and our odor. Body heat guides them to a landing spot where they use their feet to taste our skin to find a bite location. Most mosquito repellents work by disrupting the mosquito’s ability to smell. The repellent evaporates off our skin and the vapor doesn’t allow them to pinpoint our location. The ingredient that does the best job at disrupting a mosquito’s sense of smell is DEET, and just 20 percent DEET is effective at deterring mosquito bites. Most commonly, you’ll see 70 or more percent DEET in mosquito repellents, which helps the repellent last 4 or more hours.
While DEET is highly effective it can have side effects such as rash, irritation, as well as vomiting, nausea, and upset stomach if swallowed. DEET isn’t the only option though, and there are other natural and chemical ingredients that repel mosquitoes with less severe side effects. A 2015 study found products with Picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or Permethrin effective at repelling mosquitoes. It’s important to note that the absence of DEET doesn’t make a product “safe.” For example, Lemon of Eucalyptus can cause skin irritation and it’s not something you want to get in your eyes. Read the manufacturer’s descriptions carefully, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Application
Once you’ve decided on the active ingredient you would like to use, you’ll next want to consider how you’ll apply the repellent and how it will be used. Let’s say you’re wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Then you’ll want a spray that can cover a wide surface area. Something like an aerosol or pump spray with plenty of coverage. But, if you’re wearing long pants and a long shirt, especially if they’ve been treated with Permethrin, you only need to cover a small area. In that instance a lotion or small pump bottle is ideal.
Best Mosquito Repellent: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Coleman Insect Repellent SkinSmart
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Low odor
Cons
- Must shake before using
- Aerosol
Key Features
- Protects Against: Mosquitoes
- Odor: 2
- Application: Aerosol spray
- Size: 6 ounces
- Active ingredients: 20 percent IR3535
The active ingredient in Coleman SkinSafe is IR3535, which is very close to DEET in effectiveness, but with a lower odor and according to the WHO oral or skin exposure to IR3535 is less toxic than DEET. It’s still a chemical that will irritate your eyes and degrade plastics. I chose it as my best overall pick because, in my testing I found SkinSafe to be very effective for about three hours and then the effectiveness tapered off. The aerosol dispenser is easy to use for full-body application, but you do need to shake it well or you’ll have intermittent dry sprays where nothing but aerosol comes out. The odor was minimal, and it left no uncomfortable residue on my skin. The repellent also dries quickly, which makes it quick to go from application to having fun.
Best for Backyards: ThermaCell EX90
Pros
- 20-foot protection zone
- No fuel required
Cons
- Not ideal for hunting, makes beeping sounds
- Doesn’t work in windy conditions
Key Features
- Protects Against: Mosquitoes and gnats
- Odor: 1
- Application: Turn on device
- Size: 4.5 x 4 x 2.5 inches
- Active ingredients: Metofluthrin
If you’re looking for something more effective than citronella candles and less disruptive than bug zappers, the ThermaCell line of products are the answer to your mosquito free prayers. The EX90 uses a rechargeable battery and just one consumptive refill. While the EX90 isn’t ideal for taking on a backpacking trip or a hike due to its size, it is a great option for RVing, car camping, and the backyard. The device takes 15 minutes to create a protective bubble and will provide protection for nine hours on a single charge. To use the device, press and hold the button, the lights will flash, and then stop flashing. After the heat-up time you’ll have a 20 foot mosquito-free 20 zone. One thing to keep in mind is this device will not work as well when it’s windy.
Read our Thermacell EL55 review to learn about another great mosquito repeller from Thermacell.
Best Bug Spray: Repel 100
Pros
- Easy to cary
- Non-aerosol
- Effective
Cons
- Strong odor
Key Features
- Protects Against: Mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, and fleas
- Odor: 5
- Application: Pump
- Size: 1 fluid ounce
- Active ingredient: DEET 98.11 percent
When hiking into tick and mosquito country it’s nice to have small bottle of heavy protection so you can reapply as needed. That’s when I’d recommend bringing Repel 100. It’s a small bottle of bug spray that uses a pump applicator to spray a 98 percent DEET formula. Just a few squirts onto your exposed will keep biting insects away for hours. There are two main drawbacks with Repel 100. Frist, the pump applicator shoots out a small amount of repellent, so it’s not great for covering your full body. Second, some campers simply don’t want to use DEET because it’s not a natural product, and it has an extremely strong odor. But, if you don’t mind a little DEET then this is one of the best mosquito repellents to store in your pack for keeping the little nasties away.
Best Lotion: Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion
Pros
- Good for areas that are difficult to spray like hands, ears, and around the face.
- Lasts up to 14 hours
Cons
- Doesn’t easily apply to your whole body
Key Features
- Protects Against: Mosquitoes
- Odor: 2
- Application: Rubs into skin
- Size: 4 fluid ounces
- Active ingredients: 20 percent Picaridin, 1-Methylpropyl-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperidine carboxylate
We typically think of mosquito repellent as something that comes in a bottle, usually aerosol, and is fogged onto our clothes and skin. But, repellent lotions are an effective alternative, which I found ideal for applying to my ears and neck. You apply the Sawyer Picaridin Lotion like sunscreen, and it doesn’t leave a film on your skin. It’s also fairly odorless and lasts a long time. So long, in fact, that my eight hour test day wasn’t long enough to hit its max protection window. However, it’s not easy to apply to your whole body. And while this repellent lotion isn’t a complete solution, it does fill a niche in your mosquito protection arsenal.
Best for Treating Clothing: Sawyer Permethrin
Pros
- Repels more than mosquitoes
- Lasts multiple washes
Cons
- Not for applying to skin
- Must be applied to clothing in advance
Key Features
- Protects Against: Mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, and fleas
- Odor: 1
- Application: Spray on clothing
- Size: 24 ounces
- Active ingredients: Permethrin
If you spend time outdoors in an area with ticks or chiggers, there’s no better solution for keeping them off your skin than treating your clothing with Permethrin. But, it’s also an effective mosquito repellent. The caveats are that Permethrin only goes onto clothing, so you must be wearing long pants and sleeves treated with this repellent for it to work. And you’ll still need to hit spots not covered by clothing like your hands, neck, and ears with a skin safe repellent.
Permethrin isn’t like a standard insect repellent because you don’t apply right before you head outdoors. You have to apply it to clothing in advance and allow it to dry. Sawyer claims that once treated, it lasts for six weeks or six washes. If you treat your best hiking shoes, hiking shirt, hiking pants, and even your tent before you leave for the trip, you’ll be covered for tick and mosquito protection all week.
Best Indoor Mosquito Trap: Katchy Indoor Insect Trap
Best Indoor
Katchy Indoor Insect Trap
Pros
- Four glue boards included
- USB power cord and AC plug included
- Low power mode
Cons
- Fan could be stronger
Key Features
- UV light, fan, and glue trap
- Dimensions: 9 inches tall and 5.5 inches wide
- Weight: 15.2 ounces
The Katchy indoor trap is aesthetically pleasing, quiet, and effective. Simply turn off all the lights at night allowing the Katchy UV light to be the only light in the room so all of the bugs are drawn into the trap. Once they get close to the light, a fan sucks them into the device where a slim paper glue trap captures and kills the pests. It takes a few days or up to a week to notice a real difference but it works best when placed next to a fruit bowl or garbage can.
After just two days my trap already contained a number of insects. Simply press a lever and lift the unit off its base to reveal the glue trap compartment and easily replace it with a fresh board. There is also a low power setting for a dimmer light and slower fan. If you’re looking for an indoor insect trap to keep bugs from taking over your home, this one is an excellent choice. I only wish the fan was a little stronger to suck insects in faster and from a greater distance.
Best Portable Device: Thermacell MR450 Armored Mosquito Repeller
Pros
- Works well on flying biting insects
- Lasts for 12 hours
- Easy to use
Cons
- Doesn’t work in high winds
- Doesn’t work well while actively hiking
Key Features
- Protects Against: Mosquitoes and gnats
- Odor: 2
- Application: Turn on device
- Size: 7.8 x 2.9 x 1.8 inches
- Active ingredients: D-cis/trans allethrin
ThermaCells require zero spraying or application of repellent to your skin or clothing. It’s a device with a heating element and a repellent mat warms over the element. The concept is similar to a citronella candle, but the ThermaCell is far more effective. They are so effective that I won’t hunt or camp in the presence of mosquitoes without one of these devices. You do have to refill the fuel and repellent mats, which adds up over time. And It also doesn’t work when there’s a strong breeze because the fumes it creates are pushed away from you.
There are several models to choose from, but the MR450 is the best mosquito repellent device for taking with you on the go. It’s easy to cary in backpack or attached to your hip. Mine goes with me on every hunt, picnic, fishing trip, and backyard bonfire. I especially like it for early spring when annoying gnats terrorize me and no sprays will keep them away. But, the ThermaCell keeps gnats and mosquitoes from getting close.
Best Natural: Murphy’s Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito & Tick Repellent Spray
Best Natural
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito & Tick Repellent Spray
Pros
- Doesn’t feel sticky or greasy
- Mild smell
- No harsh chemicals
Cons
- Only works in mild bug conditions
Key Features
- Protects Against: Mosquitos and ticks
- Odor: 2
- Application: Pump
- Size: 4 fluid ounces
- Active Ingredient: Oil of lemon eucalyptus
During the first round of testing for this review, the natural repellents did not make the cut due to inefficacy. I believe that this repellent from Murphy’s Naturals is different. I’ve taken this into extremely buggy mountains and while it did not completely repel the biting insects, it did slow down the barrage and deterred at least some. In short, it was better than nothing, but as soon as we got to camp we found the 100 percent DEET buried at the bottom of a backpack and coated ourselves in it.
Where this natural repellent shines is in relaxed bug conditions. If you reapply generously, Murphy’s Naturals can allow you to skip the hardcore chemicals while sitting on your porch. The smell is mild and almost pleasant and there’s no sticky or oily skin feel. Though I wouldn’t throw out your other repellents just yet. I enjoy using this at home, by a campfire, or in conjunction with one of the best mosquito traps. But if there are serious mosquito swarms, opt for something stronger. —Ashley Thess
Best for Skin: Lemongrass Farms TREK
Scott Einsmann
Pros
- Natural mosquito repellent
- Kids version available
- Not greasy and sprays in a fine mist
- Works
Cons
- Reapplication every few hours is needed for max protection
Key Features
- Ingredients: Geranium oil, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, cedarwood oil, water, polyglyceryl oleate, glycerin
- 8-ounce bottle
- Non-GMO
- Purchases support pollinator habitat
- Made in USA
- Price: $30 for a two pack
It’s been a warm and wet spring in the southeast and that means the mosquitoes are happy. After coating myself in TREK and venturing into swampy areas and the shaded woods, I’ve yet to get bitten. I’ve admittedly been a naysayer of natural mosquito repellent, but I’ll admit I was wrong in this instance. The TREK repellent is the first I’ve tested that is actually effective against the bloodthirsty packs of mosquitos in my area. I’ve had instances when I could visibly see mosquitoes in my vicinity, but they didn’t even try to bite me.
TREK comes in a large bottle that sprays a fine mist. When applied, your skin is shiny for a few minutes and then it dries without leaving a slimy film. You’ll smell the repellent for sure, but it’s not as offensive of an odor as DEET. I love the fact that TREK works, but what I love more is that I don’t have to spray myself with harsh chemicals to enjoy the outdoors.
Best Device for Backpacking: Backpacker Mosquito Repeller
Best Device for Backpacking
Backpacker Mosquito Repeller
Pros
- Creates a 15-foot protection zone
- No scent
- Lightweight
Cons
- Needs isobutane backpacking fuel
Key Features
- Protects Against: Mosquitoes
- Application: Attach to fuel canister and light
- Size: 2 x 2.5 x 4 inches
- Weight: 4 ounces
- Active ingredients: 21.97 percent D Cis Allethrin
Thermacell created this lightweight mosquito-repelling device for backpackers. Sometimes you set up camp and join your group only to find the mosquitoes are unbearable. But instead of crawling into your tent early, you can screw this device into the isobutane canister you already brought to make your dinner. It will repel bugs for up to 90 hours on a 4-ounce canister. However the repellent mats that contain the active ingredient only last four hours, not that you’ll want to use your entire fuel canister anyway. Four 4-hour repellent mats are included and one water-resistant travel bag. —Ashley Thess
The Rest of the Field
I tested two natural mosquito repellents and a repellent wrist band that didn’t make the cut. They were cut from my best mosquito repellents list because they did not effectively repel mosquitoes. The wristband only protected the area around the band and did not offer full protection without using a lot of the product. And the natural repellents simply didn’t prevent bites. However, I am continuing my test on natural products and will update this review once I find alternatives that work.
FAQ
The most effective mosquito repellent spray is DEET and the most effective device is a ThermaCell.
A ThermaCell will keep mosquitoes away without the use of sprays.
The common mosquito, culex pipiens, lives seven days.
Final Thoughts on the Best Mosquito Repellent
The best mosquito repellents on my list are proven to be effective and will keep your bites down to a minimum this summer so you can enjoy the outdoors.
- Best Overall: Coleman Insect Repellent SkinSmart
- Best for Backyards: Thermacell EX90
- Best Bug Spray: Repel 100
- Best Lotion: Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion
- Best for Treating Clothing: Sawyer Permethrin
- Best Indoor Mosquito Trap: Katchy Indoor Insect Trap
- Best Portable Device: Thermacell MR450 Armored Mosquito Repeller
- Best Natural: Murphy’s Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito & Tick Repellent Spray
- Best Device for Backpacking: Backpacker Mosquito Repeller