What’s the Best Mosquito Repellent? We Tested Sprays, Nets, and Tech to Find Out
We trekked for miles along some humid Midwest trails and spent a few weekends in the woods with a variety of mosquito-repellent options — some chemical, some physical. Here’s what we found.
Hiking in the woods is magical. Between the shade, the earthy damp, and the scents of the green tunnel, it’s easy to get lost in the tranquility of putting one foot in front of the other.
That is, until the buzzing of gnats and mosquitos shatters your moment of serenity. It’s an unfortunate reality that, in order to get out and enjoy the summertime in the forest, you’ll often have to deal with the insatiable assault of bloodsucking insects.
In an effort to find some relief this year, I’ve been testing out a wide variety of bug repellents. These have ranged from nets to misting devices, along with the familiar sprays and topical lotions.
After several weekends in the woods, I set about weighing the strengths and weaknesses of each. Below are several of the top options, along with their pros and cons. Read it here.
October 21, 2023
Josh Wussow
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Personally, I use Sawyer’s Fabric Treatment–available in pump or spray–for my hunting and hiking clothes.
Media Mentions
Casserly’s favorite water treatment is a squeeze filter like the SAWYER SQUEEZE filtration system ($29, sawyer.com), which screws onto the included flasks or a plastic water bottle. Squeeze filters are ideal for individual use. They’re light and inexpensive, and you can drink the water immediately through the filter.
Media Mentions
While young babies should be protected with clothing and netting (not chemicals), older babies and children should use a suitable repellent to help avoid bites, discomfort, and insect-borne illnesses.
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