No items found.

The 6 Best Mosquito Repellents That Saved Us From Itchy Bites During Warm Weather Fun

Mosquito season is here, and that means it’s time for us to start being vigilant about protecting ourselves from the pesky pests. While the most common side effect of a mosquito bite is an itchy red bump, mosquitoes can also spread dangerous diseases like West Nile, Lyme disease, Zika, dengue, and more.

We tested various types of repellents — with and without DEET (aka diethyltoluamide, a chemical developed by the U.S. Army that’s widely used in insect repellents). We rated each product based on application, smell, effectiveness, and ingredient quality to find the six best mosquito repellents available today.

Continue reading to learn more about the best mosquito repellents, written by Esther Carlstone.

LAST UPDATED

September 9, 2024

Written by
Photo thumbnail Blog Author

Esther Carlstone

Writer and Editor

Esther Carlstone is a writer and editor who primarily covers health, parenting, travel, and women's lifestyle. Her work has appeared in Health, Parents, US News & World Report, What to Expect, Mom.com, Babylist, Travel + Leisure, and People.

She lives in Los Angeles with her three kids and husband.

Explore More Content

Media Mentions

If covering up exposed skin is not possible, Tipton County Health Department officials also encourage residents to apply EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin...

Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Ind.
Newspaper

Media Mentions

Sprays like Hot Shot Ant, Roach and Spider Killer and Sawyer Products Premium Insect Repellant—which uses the ingredient picaridin—are specifically designed to kill gnats.

Stephanie Osmanski
Sustainability Writer

Media Mentions

You can use [Sawyer Permethrin] to treat your clothing, hiking boots, hat, sleeping bag, tent, and backpack, Dr. Connally says.

Sara Coughlin