A graphic of Off! Clean Feel, Avon Skin So Soft, and Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent bottles.
A graphic of Off! Clean Feel, Avon Skin So Soft, and Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent bottles.

The 6 Best Mosquito Repellents That Saved Us From Itchy Bites During Warm Weather Fun

Mosquito season is here and that means it’s time for us to start being vigilant about protecting ourselves from the pesky pests. While the most common side effect of a mosquito bite is an itchy red bump, mosquitoes can also spread dangerous diseases like West Nile, Lyme disease, Zika, dengue, and more.

We tested various types of repellents — with and without DEET (aka diethyltoluamide, a chemical developed by the U.S. Army that’s widely used in insect repellents). We rated each product based on application, smell, effectiveness, and ingredient quality to find the six best mosquito repellents available today.

Continue reading to learn more about the best mosquito repellents, written by Esther Carlstone.

Chunguza Maudhui Zaidi

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

This spray protects you from tick-borne illnesses and is essential for outdoor adventure.

Hook & Barrel Staff
Tovuti

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Streams, waterfalls, and rivers can quench your thirst in the wild, but they may carry dirt and impurities.

Dinal Jain
Mwandishi

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Sawyer Squeeze is the longer lasting and more reliable filter, which should affect the choices of thru-hikers.

Jaeger Shaw
Owner & Managing Editor