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Family Handyman: 10 Mosquito Repellents That Are Worth Your Money (and 2 That Aren’t)

Whether you're barbecuing, sunbathing or hiking, these expert-recommended mosquito repellents will keep you from becoming a pesky bug's big lunch.

Sawyer Ultra 30 Insect Repellent

“DEET remains the standard repellent and is very effective,” says Grayson C. Brown, Ph.D., director of the public health entomology laboratory at the University of Kentucky. According to Brown, a mosquito repellent with a 30 percent DEET formulation is sufficient. “Higher concentrations do not give proportionately higher levels of repellency,” he says. Of all of the active ingredients found in standard mosquito repellent, Brown says DEET has the broadest range of effectiveness. It also keeps ticks at bay. Prefer to keep it chemical free? Try these plants that are natural mosquito repellents.

See the full guide from Rachel Sokol on The Family Handyman's website here.

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December 3, 2023

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It absolutely works like a charm whether you’re sitting in the backyard or hiking deep in the woods.

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If you have some that isn’t pre-treated with permethrin, you can buy some to spray on your own netting/clothing before use.

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“We tested this bug repellent on park outings and used it for a long day of yard work. It earns high marks for effectiveness, keeping us protected from any bug bites, even despite exposure to sweat,” The Spruce says.

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