No items found.

Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep Bugs at Bay

These bug-banishing products will help make the most of your spring and summer exploits—sans scratching.

Nature is awesome. Until it starts biting. We're talking about mosquitos—those pesky, almost invisible creatures that may serve some equally unseen role in our ecosystem, but from our backyards, they simply exist to ruin the great outdoors.

I live in the Southern Appalachians, famous for its moonshine and vibrant mosquito population. I can tell you from vast experience that nothing ruins a camping trip, backyard cookout, or stroll in the woods like an onslaught of mosquito bites. And it might get worse.

Some research suggests that as temperatures continue to warm as a result of climate change, mosquito season will start earlier in spring and last later in fall.  

The solution? Be vigilant about mosquito repellent. You could stay inside all summer long and just watch Discovery documentaries to get your virtual nature fix, or you could arm yourself out there with the best products designed to repel the peskiest creature on the planet. We'll opt for the latter.

Continue reading about the best mosquito repellents to keep the bugs at bay here.

LAST UPDATED

October 4, 2023

Written by
Photo thumbnail Blog Author

Graham Averill

Explore More Content

Media Mentions

Zenovia Stephens, ...told SELF it was her favorite bug spray for hikes and backpacking trips, and that she used it on herself as well as her kids.

Sara Coughlin

Media Mentions

[Sawyer Picaridin] the best bottle of bug spray we found after testing over 25 repellents and talking to everyone from the EPA to the American Mosquito Control Association.

Wirecutter Staff
Staff

Media Mentions

We have found the most effective and long-lasting solution to be a portable hollow fibre membrane filter that eliminates 99.99999% of harmful bacteria, the most common form of contamination seen in fresh surface water, rainwater and wells.

Christian Troy and Riley Garrison
Executive Director and Project Manager