12 Mosquito-Repelling Products for a Bug Bite-Free Summer
Ditch that aerosol can of bug spray and opt for these handy alternatives.

This summer, spend more time enjoying the outdoors and less time avoiding mosquitoes. These days there are plenty of natural, effective bug-repelling products suited for any number of outdoor applications. From wearable bands to mosquito dunks for standing water to natural, DEET-free spray, these handy products will keep bugs at bay and help you soak up the outdoors all summer long.
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Traditional bug spray leaves you with a less-than-pleasant, pungent odor and either a sticky or greasy coating all over your body. Thankfully, there is an alternative. This spray from REPEL has a refreshing lemon-eucalyptus scent and, though it is natural and 100-percent free of DEET, it will still repel mosquitoes for up to six hours.
This all-in-one repellent and after-bite cream does it all. Other creams make you choose between repelling bugs and treating uncomfortable bug bites, but SallyeAnder's No-Bite-Me solution prevents and repairs bug-bombed skin. You’ll love the smell, too, with a proprietary blend of 16 essential oils, including cedar, mint, rosemary and lemongrass. It'll keep bugs at bay for up to four hours, protecting against biting flies, mosquitoes, fleas and ticks. Plus, it's safe for little ones!
Stay Away Mosquitoes' all-natural, EPA-registered formula is gentle on the skin and safe for use on pregnant women and children. Made with CDC-recommended Picaridin, a bioidentical version of a long black pepper plant, the spray provides 14-hour protection from mosquitoes and ticks while protecting against biting flies, gnats and chiggers for up to eight hours. Plus, it's water-resistant, so you can wear it during all of your outdoor activities without worrying about reapplying.
If you're over sticky, smelly bug sprays, consider this beautiful body balm. Citronella oil, lime, beeswax and jojoba oil all work in glorious harmony to keep your skin feeling fresh and keep mosquitoes out of sight.
If you're the adventurous type who never stops moving, another great portable option is a wearable wristband. This one is waterproof and can repel mosquitoes for 15 days before you even have to refill it.
Backpacking, camping and hiking in the summer are destined to involve mosquitoes. You're basically stepping right into their home, so it’s best you go prepared. Bulky items like sprays, balms and candles are less than ideal when packing light, but a mosquito-repellant clip that lasts for 15 days before a refill? Perfect.
If you want ambiance for outdoor dining, citronella candles don't all have to come in a large bucket container. For a more aesthetically pleasing option, this nine-ounce candle comes in a tin container, is made of a soy and beeswax blend with five plant-based repellent oils and will burn for 30 hours.
If you've ever entered a room where incense is burning, you know the scent permeates the room. These incense sticks are a great flameless alternative to citronella candles. One pack of sticks (40 in total!) costs around $13 and will give you up to 30 bug-free hours.
If you're desperate to avoid pesky mosquitos this summer but don't want to sacrifice the aesthetic you've worked so hard on, we've found the perfect product for you. This hanging citronella coil is as beautiful as it is effective and will keep you bug-free without any eyesores.
Standing water is a haven for mosquito larvae. These mosquito dunks have thousands of five-star reviews and are super handy for standing water such as ponds, birdbaths, rain barrels or even puddles. Just toss them in the water, and they'll work their magic for over a month. Plus, each dunk covers up to 100 square feet of water.
If you're looking to repel mosquitos in your yard or patio, why not go to the source and grow some citronella plants, from which extracted oils are often used in mosquito-repelling products? These citronella plants are easy to grow, naturally repel mosquitoes, filter smoke and help purify the air. Pulling off some of the plant's leaves and rubbing on the skin can help release more of the plant's oils, making them a more effective deterrent.
Do Citronella Plants Repel Mosquitoes?
Yes and no. There are two different kinds of citronella plants and only one has any effect on pesky insects. But they're both nice to grow.