International Header

The Baltimore Sun: Best Reviews: How to keep mosquitoes at bay, and how to soothe bites if you do get bitten

Mosquitoes are annoying and their bites itch something fierce. But, there are some easy steps you can take at home and in the great outdoors to ...

The Baltimore Sun: Best Reviews: How to keep mosquitoes at bay, and how to soothe bites if you do get bitten

Last updated:
June 27, 2023
|  5 min read

The Baltimore Sun: Best Reviews: How to keep mosquitoes at bay, and how to soothe bites if you do get bitten

The Baltimore Sun: Best Reviews: How to keep mosquitoes at bay, and how to soothe bites if you do get bitten

YouTube video highlight

Mosquitoes are annoying and their bites itch something fierce. But, there are some easy steps you can take at home and in the great outdoors to ...

Read more about the project

The Baltimore Sun: Best Reviews: How to keep mosquitoes at bay, and how to soothe bites if you do get bitten

Thumbnail Slider Image
No items found.

How to keep mosquitoes at bay, and how to soothe bites if you do get bitten

Mosquitoes are annoying and their bites itch something fierce. But, there are some easy steps you can take at home and in the great outdoors to minimize your exposure to the pests. There's a variety of safe and effective topical mosquito repellents to choose from. There are also several good-to-great methods of keeping mosquitoes out of areas such as your entire patio. If you can't repel them all, consider treating your yard to kill as many as possible and prevent their recolonization. Finally, if you do get bitten, there's a host of topical creams and other products that can offer substantial relief.

Concerning DEET

Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) is among the most well-known ingredients in repellents. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), scientists have yet to see any negative health outcomes associated with topical DEET use. It does smell harsh and feels greasy and pore-clogging. It's also not outlandish to confuse DEET with DDT, a dangerous pesticide that's no longer in use in the United States. However, an expanding body of research illustrates that other chemicals are about as effective and, in some cases, more so than DEET.

DEET alternatives

If you can’t stand DEET’s smell or texture, there are other options. Some use the extract of lemon eucalyptus since it smells fantastic and is comfortable to apply. Inside that extract, a chemical called PMD works to repel mosquitoes with roughly the same effectiveness as DEET. Some PMD formulations also show longer-lasting effects.

Continue reading about methods to avoid and alleviate mosquito bites, written by Chris Thomas here.

The Baltimore Sun: Best Reviews: How to keep mosquitoes at bay, and how to soothe bites if you do get bitten

How to keep mosquitoes at bay, and how to soothe bites if you do get bitten

Mosquitoes are annoying and their bites itch something fierce. But, there are some easy steps you can take at home and in the great outdoors to minimize your exposure to the pests. There's a variety of safe and effective topical mosquito repellents to choose from. There are also several good-to-great methods of keeping mosquitoes out of areas such as your entire patio. If you can't repel them all, consider treating your yard to kill as many as possible and prevent their recolonization. Finally, if you do get bitten, there's a host of topical creams and other products that can offer substantial relief.

Concerning DEET

Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) is among the most well-known ingredients in repellents. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), scientists have yet to see any negative health outcomes associated with topical DEET use. It does smell harsh and feels greasy and pore-clogging. It's also not outlandish to confuse DEET with DDT, a dangerous pesticide that's no longer in use in the United States. However, an expanding body of research illustrates that other chemicals are about as effective and, in some cases, more so than DEET.

DEET alternatives

If you can’t stand DEET’s smell or texture, there are other options. Some use the extract of lemon eucalyptus since it smells fantastic and is comfortable to apply. Inside that extract, a chemical called PMD works to repel mosquitoes with roughly the same effectiveness as DEET. Some PMD formulations also show longer-lasting effects.

Continue reading about methods to avoid and alleviate mosquito bites, written by Chris Thomas here.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Best Reviews Staff
Chris Thomas
Chris Thomas grew up in the suburbs and spent his formative years camping, hiking, and studying music.
Media Mentions

The Baltimore Sun: Best Reviews: How to keep mosquitoes at bay, and how to soothe bites if you do get bitten

How to keep mosquitoes at bay, and how to soothe bites if you do get bitten

Mosquitoes are annoying and their bites itch something fierce. But, there are some easy steps you can take at home and in the great outdoors to minimize your exposure to the pests. There's a variety of safe and effective topical mosquito repellents to choose from. There are also several good-to-great methods of keeping mosquitoes out of areas such as your entire patio. If you can't repel them all, consider treating your yard to kill as many as possible and prevent their recolonization. Finally, if you do get bitten, there's a host of topical creams and other products that can offer substantial relief.

Concerning DEET

Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) is among the most well-known ingredients in repellents. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), scientists have yet to see any negative health outcomes associated with topical DEET use. It does smell harsh and feels greasy and pore-clogging. It's also not outlandish to confuse DEET with DDT, a dangerous pesticide that's no longer in use in the United States. However, an expanding body of research illustrates that other chemicals are about as effective and, in some cases, more so than DEET.

DEET alternatives

If you can’t stand DEET’s smell or texture, there are other options. Some use the extract of lemon eucalyptus since it smells fantastic and is comfortable to apply. Inside that extract, a chemical called PMD works to repel mosquitoes with roughly the same effectiveness as DEET. Some PMD formulations also show longer-lasting effects.

Continue reading about methods to avoid and alleviate mosquito bites, written by Chris Thomas here.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Best Reviews Staff
Chris Thomas
Chris Thomas grew up in the suburbs and spent his formative years camping, hiking, and studying music.
Media Mentions
browse all articles
Here at Sawyer
January 22, 2026
6 Min
Backpacker: The Complete Peakbagging Packing List
Read More

Media Mentions

Sawyer Squeeze + Cnoc VectoX 2L is responsible for all water filtration while packs are off, and the large reservoir enables cameling up.

Jaeger Shaw
Owner & Managing Editor

Media Mentions

The Sawyer Mini is the cheapest and one of the most lightweight water purifiers on this list.

Steph Dyson
Freelance Travel Writer

Media Mentions

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter – Ultralight, lifetime-warranty filter that removes bacteria and parasites.

Himiway Bike
Website
<<  Previous Post
No previous post!
Check out our Directory
Next Post  >>
No next post!
Check out our Directory