The 7 Best Mosquito Repellents to Keep the Bugs Away, Tested and Reviewed

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors, but for many of us, it also means dealing with relentless mosquitoes. The effects of mosquito bites can vary from minor irritation to blistered welts, depending on your body's reaction to mosquito saliva. In addition, there is a risk of contracting mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and West Nile virus.

To protect yourself against mosquitoes, our experts agreed that the best mosquito repellents should contain DEET, picaridin, and IR3535. Wesley Trimble, Communications and Creative Director at the American Hiking Society, recommends DEET and picaridin as effective skin-applied insect repellents. Both work against mosquitoes and ticks, but avoid using DEET on waterproof-breathable membranes like GORE-TEX as it can harm the fabric. If you're going to an area with many mosquitoes, look for repellents with 10% to 30% active ingredients. For shorter outdoor activities, lower concentrations will be enough.

Continue reading to learn more about the best mosquito repellents, written by Samson McDougall.

IMESASISHWA MWISHO

January 2, 2025

Imeandikwa na

Chunguza Maudhui Zaidi

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Kwa mavazi na gia (lakini sio ngozi), bidhaa za Sawyer za permethrin repellent ni bora kama fomula sawa katika kufukuza ticks na mbu, na dawa yake ya kuchochea ni rahisi kudhibiti.

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Staff

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Juu ya Bug Repellent - Bidhaa za Sawyer 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent

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Staff

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

There's nothing worse than running out of water mid-hike, but with the Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System, you can make any fresh water ready to drink in minutes. It filters out everything from sediment to bacteria from the water, and can be a real lifesaver in a pinch.

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