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The most reliable approach is layered: use an EPA-registered repellent according to its label, cover exposed skin with loose-fitting clothing, and block mosquitoes from indoor and sleeping spaces. At home, repair screens and empty water-holding items every week. No single measure guarantees that you will avoid every bite, and local mosquito-borne disease risks vary.
Choose and use an EPA-registered repellent
The CDC advises: “Use proven EPA-registered insect repellents.” Check the product label for an EPA registration number and follow its directions, including when and how often to reapply. The CDC’s mosquito bite prevention guidance lists these active ingredients:
- DEET
- Picaridin
- IR3535
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
- Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
- 2-undecanone
There is no basis here to call one ingredient universally best. Choose an EPA-registered product whose label suits your setting and protection-time needs. The CDC points readers to an EPA-linked search tool that can filter products by active ingredient, protection time, and other details. Products described as natural are not automatically effective: the effectiveness of non-EPA-registered repellents is not known, according to the CDC.
Apply repellent only as directed. Do not put it on skin covered by clothing. If you also use sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and repellent afterward. For a child’s face, an adult should put repellent on their own hands and then apply it to the child. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children younger than 3 years.
#1 Best Overall
- REPELS MOSQUITOES: Repels mosquitoes, including those that may transmit the Zika, West Nile, Dengue and Chikungunya viruses.
- CONTAINS 98.11% DEET: Formulated for protection in severe insect conditions.
- PROTECTS FOR UP TO 10 HOURS: Provides long-lasting protection, so you don't have to limit your family’s adventure because of mosquitoes.
- ALSO REPELS TICKS, GNATS, BITING FLIES, CHIGGERS & FLEAS: Repel these annoying bugs that can spoil the outdoors.
- PUMP SPRAY: Perfect for outdoor travel – the compact size stores perfectly with whatever adventure gear you're taking that day.
Cover skin and protect clothing
Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants to reduce exposed skin. Mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing, so clothing is an added barrier rather than a substitute for repellent when protection is needed.
Clothing and gear can be treated with permethrin, or you can use items sold as treated. Follow the product instructions carefully: permethrin products intended for clothing or gear must not be applied directly to skin.
Rank #2
- Two 4 oz cans of OFF Deep Woods Insect Repellent Aerosol protect against mosquitoes
- Outdoor bug repellent is formulated with 25% DEET and provides long lasting protection from mosquitoes, making this DEET mosquito repellent an ideal bug spray for camping, hiking, running and your favorite outdoor activities
- OFF mosquito spray offers effective protection from mosquitoes that may carry the Zika, Dengue, or West Nile viruses plus ticks that may cause Lyme disease, biting flies, gnats, and chiggers
- OFF bug spray with DEET comes in a convenient aerosol spray bottle for easy application
- Mosquito repellent spray goes on powder-dry, not oily or greasy, so you don't know you're wearing it and it doesn't stain
Make your home harder for mosquitoes to enter
Keep mosquitoes outside
- Use screens on windows and doors, and repair holes.
- Use air conditioning when available to help keep mosquitoes from coming indoors.
Remove places where they can lay eggs
Once a week, check for items that hold water indoors and outdoors. The CDC recommends emptying and scrubbing, turning over, covering, or throwing away them. Check items such as tires, buckets, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, and trash containers. The CDC’s prevention guidance explains these household measures.
Use barriers for babies and outdoor sleeping
Cover a stroller or baby carrier with mosquito netting. If sleeping outdoors, use a mosquito net. A net is also useful when your accommodation lacks screens or air conditioning; check that it can be set up to protect the sleeping area.
Rank #3
- Non-greasy, lightweight bug repellent spray dries quickly, not sticky
- Long-lasting protection from this OFF! mosquito repellent spray lasts up to 8 hours to keep you protected from mosquito bites day or night
- Odorless formula that helps you avoid mosquito bites during mosquito season
- OFF insect repellent spray is proven to repel mosquitoes, and ticks
- Easy-to-apply aerosol bug spray makes it simple to spray, spread and go
Plan for mosquito bites while traveling
Mosquitoes may bite during the day or at night, so pack repellent and loose-fitting long clothing rather than planning protection around a single time of day. The CDC recommends choosing lodging with screens or air conditioning when possible and carrying a mosquito net for outdoor sleeping or places without screened rooms. See the CDC travel guidance on avoiding bug bites.
Consider mosquito-borne disease risks for your destination and trip, and check current local and travel-health guidance. The risk is not the same everywhere, and these prevention steps do not guarantee complete protection.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- KILLS FAST: Kills mosquitoes, listed ant types, fleas and other listed insects.
- QUICKFLIP HOSE-END SPRAYER: Hose-end-sprayer activates spray at the flip of a switch – just grip, flip and go.
- LASTS ALL SUMMER: Controls up to 12 weeks against house crickets, carpenter ants, harvester ants, lady beetles and earwigs.
- COVERAGE: 1 bottle treats up to 5,000 square feet of lawn.
- NO MIXING REQUIRED: Attach the sprayer to a garden hose to treat your lawn, landscape and outdoor surfaces where insects hide.
Rank #4
- One 4 oz bottle of OFF! Botanicals Insect Repellent protects against black flies, gnats, and no-see-ums. Repels mosquitoes that may carry the West Nile virus
- Outdoor mosquito spray is formulated with a botanically inspired active ingredient and contains no added dyes, making it ideal for camping, hiking, running and your favorite outdoor activities
- OFF! bug spray offers effective protection from mosquitoes
- OFF! mosquito repellent comes in a convenient bottle with a spray pump for easy application before enjoying the outdoors
- Convenient bottle is perfect to pack in a backpack for bug repellent on the go
A practical prevention checklist
- Check the EPA registration number and directions on your repellent label.
- Wear loose, long clothing; consider permethrin-treated clothing or gear, used only as its label directs.
- Keep screens intact and use air conditioning when available.
- Empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or discard water-holding items every week.
- Use stroller netting for babies and a mosquito net when sleeping outdoors or without screened lodging.
- For travel, pack protection for both daytime and nighttime and check destination-specific guidance.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
