The 15 Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep Those Pesky Bugs Away
Warmer months bring killer barbecues, awesome playlists and delicious cocktails, plus a slew of new trends to adopt. On the flip side though, tiny creatures such as gnats, hornets and—worst of all—mosquitoes also come out to play. They bite you when you’re lounging outside, they’re at your heels when you go hiking and heaven forbid one gets stuck indoors and buzzes in your ear as you try to go to sleep! Put the kibosh on all that with one (or more) of the 15 best mosquito repellent products below.
How to Choose a Mosquito Repellent
When looking for the right mosquito repellent, you first have to consider the environment in which you’ll be using it. If you’re going camping, for example, you probably want a product that not only protects from mosquitoes but from other critters like ticks, biting flies and gnats. If you just need something to spray or lather as you hang out in your backyard, your choices will be different.
Another factor to consider is longevity. A repellent that has a higher percentage of active ingredient is the way to go if you’re going to be outdoors for several hours, while a product with a lower concentration is best if you’re going to be out for a short amount of time. (P.S. The CDC recommends you use a repellent that contains one of the EPA’s proven and safe active ingredients).
June 14, 2022
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PureWow is the women's lifestyle media brand dedicated to making your life easier, more interesting and infinitely more beautiful. Think 3-ingredient pancake recipes, game-changing eyeliner tips and the app that helps you figure out what to wear each morning.
LIFE OUTDOORS
MEDIA MENTIONS
While DEET products may be more familiar by name and their chemical smell, sprays with 20 percent picaridin, like Sawyer Products, offer comparable protection without the harsh odor and oily feeling on your skin.
MEDIA MENTIONS
The Sawyer Squeeze was (by far) the most common Pacific Crest Trail water filter this year – for the fifth year in a row. It’s a $39, 3 oz / 85 g hollow fiber filter that rids your drinking water of protozoa and bacteria (and floaties). It can be used with Sawyer bags (included with the filter) or with compatible water bottles (Smartwater is the bottle of choice for many hikers).
MEDIA MENTIONS
SAWYER MINI WATER FILTER, $22 This has been my water filter of choice for years now. The bags can be iffy — I have had a few break – so carry a couple. However, the filter itself is reliable, light and inexpensive. -Logan
