Popular Mechanics: The 10 Best Tools for Keeping Mosquitos From Biting
Smart ways to ensure your outdoor activities don’t become bug block parties.
Going for a hike or otherwise getting outside can be a welcome way to get some fresh air in these days of social distancing. But the nicer spring weather also brings some downsides with it. One of the more pesky consequences are the flies, mosquitos, and other insects that can invade your backyard and make spending time outdoors challenging. While there are some general precautions you should take to make your yard and home less inviting for mosquitos and other bugs, having the right set of tools on hand—like the ones below—is also important to help you stay as bite-free as possible.
New Defenses Against Insects
Repellents that use Picaridin instead of DEET can be just as effective without the unmistakable smell and griminess. And you can spray those with Permethrin on your clothes instead of your skin and they’ll continue to work through multiple washes (you can even buy clothing with Permethrin-based repellent baked in). A smaller, cartridge-based lantern or tabletop unit can provide an effective alternative to a traditional zapper, especially if mosquitos are your biggest problem and you only have a modest area to cover. And even the venerable bug zapper has seen updates, with long-lasting LED bulbs that are great for use in an indoor porch or on a small deck.
How We Chose These Bug Repellants and Zappers
To find and select the best bug-deterring products, we researched the market and relied on our own testing. In cases where we didn’t get our hands on something to try it out, we based our recommendations on our past experiences using similar products, Popular Mechanics’s long history of reporting on bug-zapping gear, and in some cases, user reviews and opinions from trusted expert sources.
Read the full guide from Don Melanson and Bradley Ford on Popular Mechanic's website here.
May 4, 2022
Popular Mechanics
Since 1902, Popular Mechanics has been the authority on how your world works. We bring our audience the latest news on innovations and inventions across the automotive, DIY, science, technology, and outdoor spaces. We also serve our readers with the knowledge they need to get the most out of life, whether that's how to change a tire, how to build a farmhouse table, how to find your lost phone, or how to hike the Appalachian Trail. Popular Mechanics is about wonder, about being curious about the world around you, and it's about getting your hands dirty, too.
When it was founded, our magazine used the tagline "Written so you can understand it," and today, we still follow that ethos. Whether we're explaining the last technology news or demonstrating how to install a light switch, Popular Mechanics explains the world in an easy-to-understand, jargon-free way while also offering readers the depth of information they need to succeed.
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Fresh drinking water is essential. This water filtration system ensures you will never run out as long as there is a nearby natural water source. It can filter out bacteria, protozoa and microplastics.
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Faster and more efficient than pumping or waiting for chemical treatments, the Sawyer Squeeze System offers on-the-go hydration at a good flow. This product is long-lasting, affordable, reliable, cleanable, and very user-friendly.
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But Sawyer was way ahead of me — 15 years ahead, to be precise. In 2008, the brand started its Clean Water for All initiative, which provides Sawyer filters to developing countries around the world. And the company spends 90% of its profits funding it.
