International Header

Reader's Digest: The 12 Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep Your Family Protected

Take the bite out of mosquito season with one of these best mosquito repellents you can buy.

Reader's Digest: The 12 Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep Your Family Protected

Last updated:
September 16, 2021
|  5 min read

Reader's Digest: The 12 Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep Your Family Protected

Reader's Digest: The 12 Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep Your Family Protected

YouTube video highlight

Take the bite out of mosquito season with one of these best mosquito repellents you can buy.

Read more about the project

Reader's Digest: The 12 Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep Your Family Protected

Thumbnail Slider Image
No items found.

The 12 Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep Your Family Protected

Take the bite out of mosquito season with one of these best mosquito repellents you can buy.

Written by: Maryn Liles

How to choose the best bug repellant

Ah, the sweet summer months are now upon us, which means picnics in the park, fun BBQ ideas, days at the pool…and mosquitos. Hopefully, you don’t live in one of the most mosquito infected cities in the US, but you can still get bitten almost anywhere.

And although mosquitos have not been shown to transmit COVID, they can ruin your evening and leave you itching and scratching for days. Luckily, there are plenty of safe and simple ways to keep mosquitos at bay, from plants that repel mosquitos and natural bug repellents to mosquito-repelling lawn treatments and EPA-approved bug sprays. The challenge is to pick the right one.

“When choosing a personal repellent, make sure you match your insect repellent to the environment you are going to be in, as well as your activity,” says Tania Elliott, MD, an internist, allergist, and immunologist. “Different repellents offer a varied range of active ingredients, strengths, and lengths of protection.” Keep in mind: “The higher the percentage of the active ingredient (i.e. DEET), the longer one application will last,” she adds.

Continue reading about key ingredients, how to properly apply, and even natural repellent remedies here.

Reader's Digest: The 12 Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep Your Family Protected

The 12 Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep Your Family Protected

Take the bite out of mosquito season with one of these best mosquito repellents you can buy.

Written by: Maryn Liles

How to choose the best bug repellant

Ah, the sweet summer months are now upon us, which means picnics in the park, fun BBQ ideas, days at the pool…and mosquitos. Hopefully, you don’t live in one of the most mosquito infected cities in the US, but you can still get bitten almost anywhere.

And although mosquitos have not been shown to transmit COVID, they can ruin your evening and leave you itching and scratching for days. Luckily, there are plenty of safe and simple ways to keep mosquitos at bay, from plants that repel mosquitos and natural bug repellents to mosquito-repelling lawn treatments and EPA-approved bug sprays. The challenge is to pick the right one.

“When choosing a personal repellent, make sure you match your insect repellent to the environment you are going to be in, as well as your activity,” says Tania Elliott, MD, an internist, allergist, and immunologist. “Different repellents offer a varied range of active ingredients, strengths, and lengths of protection.” Keep in mind: “The higher the percentage of the active ingredient (i.e. DEET), the longer one application will last,” she adds.

Continue reading about key ingredients, how to properly apply, and even natural repellent remedies here.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Media Mentions from Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest
America's most trusted brand. We're all about being real, optimistic, authentic, inspiring and actionable.
Reviews

Reader's Digest: The 12 Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep Your Family Protected

The 12 Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep Your Family Protected

Take the bite out of mosquito season with one of these best mosquito repellents you can buy.

Written by: Maryn Liles

How to choose the best bug repellant

Ah, the sweet summer months are now upon us, which means picnics in the park, fun BBQ ideas, days at the pool…and mosquitos. Hopefully, you don’t live in one of the most mosquito infected cities in the US, but you can still get bitten almost anywhere.

And although mosquitos have not been shown to transmit COVID, they can ruin your evening and leave you itching and scratching for days. Luckily, there are plenty of safe and simple ways to keep mosquitos at bay, from plants that repel mosquitos and natural bug repellents to mosquito-repelling lawn treatments and EPA-approved bug sprays. The challenge is to pick the right one.

“When choosing a personal repellent, make sure you match your insect repellent to the environment you are going to be in, as well as your activity,” says Tania Elliott, MD, an internist, allergist, and immunologist. “Different repellents offer a varied range of active ingredients, strengths, and lengths of protection.” Keep in mind: “The higher the percentage of the active ingredient (i.e. DEET), the longer one application will last,” she adds.

Continue reading about key ingredients, how to properly apply, and even natural repellent remedies here.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Media Mentions from Reader's Digest
Reader's Digest
America's most trusted brand. We're all about being real, optimistic, authentic, inspiring and actionable.
Reviews
browse all articles
Here at Sawyer
November 18, 2025
6 Min
Backpacker: The 11 Best Gifts for Hikers of 2025
Read More

Media Mentions

The Sawyer Squeeze just screws on the top of the Smartwater bottle, allowing me to fill it with untreated water and simply squeeze filtered water into my mouth.

Hiking Guy
Media Mentions from Hiking Guy

Media Mentions

Insect repellents come in lotions, sprays, wipes, balms and even patches, but there are three primary anti-bug ingredients that can safely be used on children: DEET, picaridin and essential oils.

Baby List
Media Mentions from Baby List

Media Mentions

Finding the best bug spray and mosquito repellents on the market isn't just in your family's best interest—it's practically a can't-do-without necessity.

Anna Mahan
Associate Commerce Editor
<<  Previous Post
No previous post!
Check out our Directory
Next Post  >>
No next post!
Check out our Directory