The 20 Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep Your Family Protected
We found the best mosquito repellent products for bite-free summer adventures.
The sweet summer months are upon us, which means picnics in the park, fun BBQ ideas, backyard games, days at the pool…and mosquitoes. Whether or not you live in one of the most mosquito-infested cities in the U.S., if you consider your backyard an oasis and love to lounge on outdoor furniture, chances are you’ll get bitten. That’s where the best mosquito repellent products come in.
Mosquitoes can ruin even the most gorgeous patio decor scenes and leave you itching and scratching for days. Luckily, there are plenty of safe and simple ways to keep mosquitoes at bay, from mosquito-repellent plants and natural bug repellents to mosquito repellent clothing, 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,” Elliot adds. Choosing a longer-lasting formula may prove useful, especially in areas with extended warm seasons that allow mosquitoes to live longer.
October 22, 2023
Reader's Digest
A trusted friend in a complicated world.
America's most trusted brand. We're all about being real, optimistic, authentic, inspiring and actionable.
By submitting material (text, photos and illustrations) on our Facebook page, you grant Reader's Digest, its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners and licensees unlimited use of the material and the right to include your name in connection with any such use. We may modify, reproduce and distribute your material in any medium and in any manner or appropriate place, including, but not limited to magazines, promotional merchandise, and marketing and other related materials.
Explore More Content
Media Mentions
This repellent is easy to apply and effective without staining clothes.
Media Mentions
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent uses 20 percent picaridin to protect against ticks, mosquitoes, black flies, gnats, and other biting insects. It provides up to 12 hours of protection, so a little bit goes a long way.
Media Mentions
Sawyer’s 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent delivers long-lasting protection against pesky insects like mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and gnats. Formulated with 20% picaridin — an odorless, non-greasy alternative to DEET — you can count on this spray to provide up to 12 hours of protection against mosquitos and eight hours against other bugs.
From the Squad
Campfire conversations with our community, from Squad Members and Ambassadors to Brand Partners and the Sawyer team.
