Top 10 Best Mosquito Repellents

Nothing spoils a summer vacation more than little bloodsuckers swarming around and buzzing annoyingly. And if fumigators and mosquito nets on windows and doors can save you from them at home, then outside you will have to fight them off yourself. Or use one of reliable means against mosquitoes.

Active ingredients of mosquito repellents

You'll likely see one of three main active ingredients in insect repellents - DEET, picaridin (aka icaridin or saltidin), or IR3535 (insect repellent 3535). Essential oil-based products are also popular.

DEET (diethyltoluamide): This is the most common active ingredient in insect repellents. It has been used for over 50 years and is ideal for those who plan to spend a lot of time outdoors. Mixtures with a concentration of 7-10% can be used to treat the clothes of children over two years old. On the other hand, some people doubt the safety of DEET. It can irritate sensitive skin, and some studies claim that it may be carcinogenic. However, insect sprays with DEET are very effective and still sell well. Typically, products with a DEET content of at least 30-50% provide long-term protection - up to 30 days when applied to clothing. They also protect against ticks.
Picaridin: This is a synthetic repellent that has appeared recently. It is as effective as DEET, does not leave a greasy feeling on the skin, and does not damage plastics or synthetic materials like DEET. The substance, which contains 15% picaridin, provides protection against mosquitoes for up to 8 hours. In Russia, products containing picaridin are rarely found on sale, but in the West they are more popular.
Rrepellent IR3535: This is a low-toxicity product, approved for use on children aged 1 year and over. However, it has the shortest protection period – up to 3 hours when applied to the skin and up to 5 days when applied to clothing.
The most effective oils against mosquitoes: citronella, vanilla, lavender, clove oil, lemon essential oil, tea tree, lemongrass and geranium. Essential oils should be mixed with a base oil (peach, jojoba, grapeseed) before applying to the skin.

Important: Repellents that need to be applied to clothing last much longer than those that need to be applied to the skin. In addition, the toxic effect of the repellent when applied to clothing is minimal.

10. Aerosol OFF! Family from mosquitoes

active ingredient: DEET
purpose: repelling insects
insect species: fleas, mosquitoes, flies, horseflies, midges, midges
Features: For leather, For indoor use
duration: 3 h

One of the most popular mosquito repellents, with many good reviews on Yandex.Market. Suitable for adults and children over 5 years old, contains a small (15%) amount of DEET and can be sprayed on clothing or exposed areas of the body.

According to reviews from those who have tested the OFF! aerosol on themselves, the product really does protect for the stated time - 3 hours when applied to the skin. It does not leave marks on clothing, but it has a strong and sharp smell, but this is a disadvantage of all products with DEET.

9. Gardex Baby spray for children against mosquitoes from 1 year

active ingredient: IR3535
purpose: repelling insects
type of insect: mosquitoes, midges, biting midges
Features: For leather, For indoor use
for children: from 1 year
duration: 2 h

This hypoallergenic mosquito, midge and midge repellent is perfect if you are going for a walk with a small child.

To apply it, spray it on your palms and then apply it to the exposed areas of your child's body. There is no need to rub the product into the skin!

Gardex Baby can also be applied to clothing. The product is applied effortlessly, the spray stream is wide.

8. Levrana Spray protection against mosquitoes, ticks and other insects

active ingredient: citronella
purpose: repelling insects
insect species: mosquitoes, ticks
Features: For leather, For indoor use
duration: 1 hour

This product contains a variety of essential oils, including citronella, Egyptian geranium, Atlas cedar, lavender, rosemary, lemongrass and tea tree. It is suitable for adults and children aged 14 and over, has a pleasant smell and does not stain clothes.

Levrana spray should be applied to clothing or clean, dry skin, immediately before going outside. The product does not provide protection for long - for an hour, then it must be sprayed again.

7. Mosquitall Mosquito Repellent Milk Spray "Gentle Protection for Babies from 3 Months and Pregnant Women"

active ingredient: IR3535
purpose: repelling insects
type of insect: mosquitoes, midges, gnats
Features: For leather, For indoor use
duration: up to 2 hours

Infants and pregnant women have the hardest time protecting themselves from mosquitoes. They are prohibited from using almost all "regular" repellents, which can potentially harm a fragile organism or an expectant mother.

Fortunately, there are exceptions, such as Mosquitall milk spray. It contains 10% of the active substance IR3535, which has no unpleasant odor, does not leave sticky marks on the skin, and most importantly, is non-toxic to humans. It can be used even in the last months of pregnancy.

The composition of "Gentle protection" also includes panthenol, menthol and allantoin, so the product softens the skin, relieves itching and redness. The product has more than 100 reviews on Ozon, and most of them are positive.

6. Fumigator + Thermacell MR-300 Repeller plates

The active ingredient of the plates is allethrin
purpose: repelling insects
type of insect: mosquitoes, midges
Features: For indoor and outdoor use
area of action: 20 m²
duration: up to 12 hours

Sprays, aerosols and other protective equipment protect only one person and require frequent renewal when applied to the skin. And this portable fumigator can protect an entire tent or people sitting at a table, and works on 4 AA batteries. Finally, you can simply hang it on your belt and carry it with you. An ideal option for a hunter, tourist, fisherman or summer resident.

The active substance of the plates is allethrin, a synthetic pesticide that has a neuroparalytic effect on insects. The plate impregnated with allethrin should be placed on the heated platform of the fumigator, this creates a protective cloud.

Important: after the mosquitoes have disappeared (up to 3 hours of operation), you need to turn off the device, since allethrin can be dangerous for humans if inhaled for a long time.

5. Aerosol "Reftamide Maximum"

active ingredient – DEET,
purpose: repelling insects
insect species: fleas, mosquitoes, ticks, horseflies, midges, gnats
Features: For outdoor use
duration of action – from 4 hours to 30 days

This product quickly and reliably repels not only mosquitoes, but also ticks, and lasts for a long time - up to 4 hours when applied to the skin and up to 30 days when applied to clothing. However, it is not recommended to apply to the skin, the DEET content is high, and there is a high probability of allergic reactions.

According to reviews, Reftamide Maximum is one of the best repellents for travel in places with large accumulations of midges, as well as ticks, which are increasing in number in Russia every year. Yes, this aerosol smells, to put it mildly, specific. However, it does its job well.

4. Clove oil

active ingredient: cloves
purpose: repelling insects
type of insect: mosquitoes, midges
Features: For leather, For indoor use
duration: up to 2 hours

On women's forums this remedy is mentioned as one of the few that is suitable for nursing mothers.

It can be applied directly to the skin, mixed with a base oil such as peach or jojoba. Or you can apply a little clove essential oil to a lint roller and gently “roll” your clothing items several times.

3. All Terrain, Kids Herbal Armor, Natural Bug Spray

active ingredient: cedar, geranium, lemongrass, peppermint, citronella oils
purpose: repelling insects
type of insect: mosquitoes, midges
Features: For leather, For indoor use
duration: up to 2 hours

A natural and effective mosquito repellent, it has over 1,800 reviews on iHerb. In them, users note that the spray has a composition that is safe for children's skin, does not leave greasy stains on the body, and really repels mosquitoes.

But with one caveat: insects do not bite only those parts of the body that have been treated with the spray. Therefore, for effective protection, all exposed areas of the body must be treated.

All Terrain, Kids Herbal Armor can be used by adults and children starting from 6 months of age.

2. Mosquito repellent bracelet (anti-mosquito) Bikit monster

active ingredient: essential oils
purpose: repelling insects
type of insect: mosquitoes, midges
Features: For leather, For indoor use
duration: up to 3 months

The anti-mosquito bracelet is a great choice for those who do not want to apply the product to their skin or clothes. Inside the bright case of the Bikit monster is a special tablet containing substances that repel insects.

According to the manufacturer, after opening the package, the bracelet is effective for 2-3 months. It is suitable for both children and adults with sensitive skin, but may be too small for a man's hand.

According to user reviews, Bikit monster really works, but it is inconvenient to fasten, it will be difficult for a child to do it on their own.

1. Aerosol Leshy Comprehensive protection against blood-sucking insects and ticks 7 in 1

active ingredient – DEET,
purpose: repelling insects
insect species: fleas, mosquitoes, ticks, horseflies, midges, gnats, mosquitoes
Features: For outdoor use
duration: from 4 hours to 30 days

An inexpensive and effective repellent for those who are going to the forest, fishing or another place where there are plenty of mosquitoes. The manufacturer is a Siberian company, and in Siberia they know what mosquitoes and other blood-sucking parasites are and how best to deal with them.

"Leshy" contains 30% DEET, which guarantees long-term protection, but due to the high content of the active substance, it is not advisable to apply the aerosol to the skin. It is best to treat clothes with it, let it dry, and only then put it on.

If you decide to apply the repellent to your skin, first spray the aerosol on your hands and then run your palms over exposed areas of the body without rubbing the product in.