Are you one of those people who just seem to always attract mosquitos? We know it can be a mental and physical pain. If you're stressing out about getting eaten alive by mosquitoes for the next several months, we've got you covered. You don't have to surrender yourself to the incessant itchy red bumps these pesky insects leave behind.
Mosquito repellents can do a great job of keeping the summer bugs at bay, but finding the right one for you and your family can take a bit of work. To help make it easier, Shop TODAY spoke with entomologists and bug experts to find out everything you need to know when buying the right mosquito repellent.
What to look for in a mosquito repellent
Mosquito bites are annoying at best (the itchiness!) and dangerous at worst, since some species can carry diseases, but several repellent ingredients can help keep those pesky insects at bay.
"Use Environmental Protection Agency-recommended repellents. Ingredients like DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 and oil of lemon eucalyptus work well," says Laura C. Harrington, a professor in Cornell University's entomology department.
Mosquito repellents come in a variety of formulas and some naturally provide a bit more protection than others.
"Repellents applied to the skin via spray or lotion will always be more effective. They are putting a protective layer directly on the skin from the biting mosquitoes," mentions Sonja L. Swiger, an entomology expert at Texas A&M University.
If you prefer to use something more natural, some essential oils and herbs (rosemary, lavender, marigold and basil, for starters) are also pretty effective at keeping mosquitoes away, and citronella candles can also help when used in conjunction with repellent.
You'll want to also make sure you're always looking at a repellent's concentration before deciding which one is best for you.
"The higher the concentration, the longer the spray is effective. So if people are planning to be outside for a longer period, choose a higher concentration spray," says Michel Slotman, associate professor in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University.
Expert picks of the best mosquito repellents
Repel's lemon eucalyptus spray is perfect for those seeking a plant-based repellent.
"Repel is a 40% formulation of naturally-derived eucalyptus and has a pleasant scent and feel without any plasticizing properties. It is also effective at repelling ticks," American Mosquito Control Association's former technical advisor Joseph M. Conlon says.
If you've been searching for a no-fuss formula that will get the job done without latching onto skin like glue, look no further. This non-greasy formula contains picaridin, which is an expert-approved ingredient.
"Studies have shown it (picaridin) to be as fully repellent to mosquitoes as DEET," Conlon notes.
"DEET is used as the active ingredient in many insect repellents and offers the best protection against mosquito bites," says Kevin Chan, in-house entomologist for national pest control leader Mosquito Squad.
"DEET concentrations of 50% or less will provide adequate protection. Avoid spraying skin that will be covered by clothing and wash the product off after going back inside," Chan says.
"Picaridin is the most widely used repellent in the world outside of the United States. It's odorless, has a pleasant feel and doesn’t plasticize," Conlon mentions.
According to the brand, you can expect between eight and 14 hours of protection from ticks and mosquitoes carrying diseases, and gnats and flies.
Plus, the 34.34% DEET formula is splash- and sweat-resistant, according to the brand. Just don't forget to apply it a while before heading outside.
"Products formulated as lotions generally take about 20 minutes after application to become effective. Sprays are immediately effective, but lose their effectiveness quicker," Conlon says.
Babies also need protection from mosquitoes, but finding a repellent that's gentle enough for their sensitive skin can be challenging.
"Many natural scents that are appealing to humans repel mosquitoes, including lavender, peppermint, basil, garlic and eucalyptus. Many of these scents can be worn as an essential oil on your skin to help keep these pesky pests from biting you," Chan says.
"If the product has been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency and is recommended for use by the Centers for Disease Control, then the product has been tested and proven to be effective against mosquitoes," Swiger says.
The best mosquito repellents, according to editors
OFF!’s Deep Woods spray was recently named one of the best over-the-counter products, according to U.S. News & World Report — and our team is also a fan of the formula.
“I love OFF! insect repellent because I’m a mosquito magnet, but it also protects against all the bugs,” says executive editor Adrianna Brach. “It’s a must-have when I go camping with the family and especially in the summer [because it works well for me]. The spray goes on ‘dry’ so it doesn’t drip everywhere or get messy.”
Writer Jannely Espinal prefers the brand’s Clean Feel repellent, which she says dries quickly and leaves your skin feeling refreshed and even a little more hydrated.
“OFF! lived up to its name — it kept bugs completely off my skin,” she shares. “The aerosol is easy to use and delivers wide, even coverage, even when sprayed from a few inches away. One of the first things I noticed was its odorless, gentle formula; it doesn’t mask your natural scent or leave behind that typical pesticide smell.”
As soon as she turned this gadget on, editor Kara Quill says she “noticed the difference in the number of bugs flying around pretty quickly.” She adds, “I was pleased with its fast-acting power but even more impressed with its functionality — it’s so easy to use!”
After testing multiple bug repellents in the Florida heat, Espinal shares that this was her favorite overall. Not only did it keep bugs at bay, but it actually feels good on your skin, too.
“The lotion is lightweight, nearly odorless (it does have a subtle minty scent) and is easy to apply to the skin,” she says. “It feels more like a regular body cream rather than a bug repellent. I love that it contains vitamin E and aloe to help soothe the skin while protecting against unwanted pests.”
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers searched Amazon to find the best products. We comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
To discover the best mosquito repellents, we spoke with experts and polled our own editors to learn about their top picks.
Meet the experts
- Laura C. Harrington, Ph. D., is a professor in the department of entomology at Cornell University. Her research focuses on biology, ecology and mosquitoes that transmit human diseases.
- Sonja L. Swiger, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University. Her research focuses on managing biting flies and disease-carrying insects.
- Michel Slotman, Ph. D., is an associate professor of entomology at Texas A&M University. His research focuses on the evolutionary and population genetics of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.
- Joseph M. Conlon is the former technical advisor to the American Mosquito Control Association. Before working with the American Mosquito Control Association, he conducted vector control operations and consultations as a U.S. Navy entomologist in 37 different countries worldwide.
- Kevin Chan is the in-house entomologist for national pest control leader Mosquito Squad.
