8 Mosquito-Fighting Products That Really Work, According to Amazon Reviewers

Summer is my favorite season. I love the heat, humidity and fun vacations that (usually) come with summer. However, travel is more restricted right now due to the novel coronavirus, so we’re likely all spending more time at home. Though it’s possible to have a super-fun staycation in your backyard (tacos and margaritas, anyone?), there’s one annoying part about hanging out in my backyard: mosquitos.

I live in Birmingham, Alabama, which I am convinced is the mosquito capital of the world. I’ve tried planting citronella and other mosquito-repelling plants, but the little suckers seem to still love biting me. And even though I’m a mosquito magnet, I don’t want to spray myself down with chemicals just to avoid a few bug bites.

So I scoured Amazon for the best mosquito-deterring products. Here are eight products reviewers can’t stop raving about.

Murphy’s Naturals makes products that claim to banish annoying bugs, and Amazon shoppers love that they’re DEET-free and made from just a handful of ingredients: rosemary, peppermint, citronella, lemongrass, cedarwood essential oils and bamboo. Stock up on Murphy’s Naturals candles and incense sticks (and don’t forget to grab a cute incense holder for your backyard).

If you’re looking for a safer way to spray your yard, Mama Nature’s Mosquito Juice covers up to 8,000 square feet and can reduce your mosquito population by 80% without harming helpful pollinators. Simply mix the 8-ounce concentrate (made with garlic juice and cedarwood oils) with a gallon of water and spray on standing water, trees, grass, gutters or wherever mosquitos gather. (You may also want to stock up on a sprayer for easier application.)

If you don’t want to use sprays or candles (but still want to enjoy a meal outside in peace), you could also opt for a fan. According to Terminix, the air blowing from a fan can strongly deter mosquitoes. (We like this battery-powered one from Amazon, $28). Not to mention, a cool breeze on a summer night sounds like paradise. 

If all else fails, you could add a bug zapper near your patio or porch. This one reportedly lasts for 8,000 hours and can cover a range of 1,500 square feet. There’s also an outer shell to protect curious kids or pets from getting zapped. Not convinced? It has nearly 500, 5-star ratings on Amazon. (Buy it: $60, Amazon)

While DEET is touted as the gold standard for keeping biting bugs away and is considered safe by many health organizations, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) says it could potentially irritate those with allergies and/or cause neurotoxicity in large doses. The EWG recommends Picaridin as an alternative to DEET. One of our editors swears by this Picaridin spray from Sawyer Products, and over 5,000 people on Amazon have given the product 5-star ratings ($7, Amazon).

Another ingredient to try out is oil of lemon eucalyptus, which is the only plant-based bug repellent recommended by the CDC. This EPA-registered bug spray from Natrapel has oil of lemon eucalyptus (and plenty of 5-star reviews to back it up).

If you want to target certain exposed areas (like your feet or face), Murphy’s makes a mosquito-repelling balm with essential oils that can get those hard-to-reach spots and keep skeeters at bay.