11 Best Bug and Mosquito Repellents of 2023
Protect yourself outdoors with these effective sprays, machines and candles.
With warmer temperatures come backyard cookouts, summer parties and — we hate to say it — tons of mosquitos. Humid environments are prime breeding grounds for these pesky bugs, but they can survive almost anywhere, as long as they have access to water. Just because their presence is inevitable doesn't mean you have to suffer through itchy mosquito bites and annoying buzzes: Take matters into your own hands by protecting your yard with the best mosquito repellents and bug sprays.
The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have battled all manner of backyard nuisances for decades. They can tell you why mosquito bites are so itchy (it's a reaction caused by the salivary proteins of female mosquitoes), why pregnant people tend to get munched on (the extra carbon dioxide and heat their bodies release) and which treatments provide the fastest relief (go for the 1% hydrocortisone cream). To put together this list of the most effective bug repellents, we also tapped our extensive network of outside experts, including Megan E. Meuti, P.h.D., an assistant professor of entomology at Ohio State University.
Based on our research, testing and vetting, these are the best mosquito repellants for keeping bugs from reaching you in the first place.
Read the full guide form Kaitlyn Pirie on Dan Diclerico's website here.
October 27, 2024
Good Housekeeping
Good Housekeeping is an iconic brand with a pretty cool history. Get this: The very first print issue of GH came out in 1885. In it, the editor wrote that the brand's mission would be “about equal proportions of public duty and private interest." That still rings true today — with more than 1,200 editions under our belts, two decades of sharing daily tips and news online, and 137 years of testing behind every product we recommend.
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This lightweight, 2-ounce filter removes bacteria, protozoa, cysts, sediment, and 100 per cent of microplastics.
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Sawyer’s insect repellent is also very effective for ticks and biting flies, and it won’t damage gear or equipment.
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This repellent, made from 20% Picaridin, provides up to 14 hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks, and up to 8 hours against biting flies, gnats, chiggers and sand flies.
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