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7 Best Mosquito Repellents for Patios & Yards in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks
Ed Malaker
Last updated:
There are few things more annoying than mosquitoes during the summer months. Most people would do nearly anything to drive away these continuous pests that make us itchy and can spread disease. If you are looking for relief, keep reading as we list several reviews of products to help you drive off mosquitoes on the patio and in your yard without having to resort to harmful chemical pesticides, so you can return to enjoying the outdoors.
Wondercide Insect Repellent is our pick as the best overall mosquito repellent. It’s a liquid-based spray that is non-toxic and safe to use on children and around pets. All ingredients are plant based, and the formula will repel mosquitos, ticks, spiders, flies, and other bothersome insects for up to 2 hours before it starts to wear off.
Most users love Wondercide and find that it works great. The only downside is that it can dry out the skin a little.
Pros
Plant-based repellent
Safe for children
Repels insects for up to 2 hours
Cons
Can dry out the skin
2. Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Spray — Best Value
Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Spray, 4-Ounce Pump Spray is our pick as the best mosquito repellent for patios and yards for the money. It’s a liquid-based spray that uses lemon and eucalyptus to drive off the mosquitos while leaving you smelling great, unlike most other bug sprays. It also lasts several hours before you need to reapply it, so it’s as good for long hikes as it is for the backyard and patio.
The downside to Repel 94109 is that using it daily can lead to dry skin, and it doesn’t work that well against other insects.
Pros
Contains lemon and eucalyptus
Pleasant scent
Lasts a long time
Cons
Might dry out the skin
3. FLAMOW Ultrasonic Pest Repellent — Premium Choice
The FLAMOW Ultrasonic Pest Repellent is our premium choice mosquito repellant. It’s typically for indoor use, but it works well when you use one of the ultrasonic devices on the porch or patio. There are six units, so it can eliminate mosquitos from a large area, and the low-frequency technology also helps repel rodents, ants, roaches, and more. It’s easy to use and doesn’t look like a bug trap.
The downside to the FLAMOW is that it’s quite expensive, and it will require an outlet on your patio to function.
The Katchy Indoor Insect Trap is an indoor trap that can work well on a porch or patio. It uses ultraviolet light to attract the mosquitos, and a fan sucks them into a sticky trap. You can power it with an AC adapter or USB cable, so it pairs perfectly with a laptop on the porch. It has an attractive design and is easy to use.
The downside is that it’s expensive. Also, the UV light isn’t as effective at attracting insects until it’s completely dark, long after the mosquitos first arrive.
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent is an effective liquid mosquito repellent that uses picaridin to do the work. Picaridin is almost effective as DEET and doesn’t have an odor, so no one will even know that you are wearing it. It can repel insects for up to 14 hours and is not greasy or oily, so it won’t damage clothing, sunglasses, or other items.
The downside of this Sawyer repellent is that it’s only available in a small package, so you will need to resupply frequently, and many people notice a burning sensation in the eyes if you use it on the face.
Mosquito Repellent Incense Sticks can be a great way to remove the insects from your patio or porch. These use all plant-based ingredients, so no harmful chemicals are in the air, and they produce a pleasant fragrance that isn’t too overpowering. Each stick lasts about 45 minutes, depending on how hard the wind is blowing, and you can place several around to cover a larger area.
The downside to the Mosquito Repellent Incense Sticks is that they create a great deal of ash that will require cleaning up. Also, some people might not like the fragrance, the smoke can be bothersome, and the hot tip is a burning hazard, especially if you have children or pets.
W4W Mosquito Repellent Coils is an incense-based mosquito repellant that works well. This brand uses long coiled incense instead of sticks. These coils can last 5–7 hours, depending on the wind, so they are a great choice for long events or even overnight. They use all-natural ingredients that will repel mosquitos up to 10 feet away, and each pack comes with three coils.
The downside to the W4W coils is that the long burn time is often more than required, and they can be difficult to put out without damaging them or getting burned. Also, since there are only three in a pack, you are also less likely to want to light more than one to cover a large area.
Pros
Three-pack
Long burn time
Repels up to 10 feet
Natural ingredients
Cons
Burn hazard
Hard to put out
Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Mosquito Repellent for Patios & Yards
Liquid Sprays
Liquid sprays can be quite effective at driving off mosquitos because you apply them directly to your skin or clothes, so you will be protected at all times. Mosquito spray is also easy to use and find in most grocery stores, but they aren’t always that effective. Look for brands that contain citrus fruit, like lemon or orange, and avoid anything with harsh chemicals. Picaridin is a popular chemical in sprays, and though it is a synthetic compound, it is generally safe and works well to repel mosquitos. If using a spray, we recommend starting with a light spray to see if you have any reaction to the liquid before you begin to use it regularly.
Electronic Devices
Electronic devices are more for indoor use but can be quite effective on a porch or patio. Also, when you finish using it, there is no clean-up. The downside to these devices is that many will require batteries or an outlet to function, though some can be plugged into a laptop. Also, they can be quite expensive.
Incense
Mosquito-repelling incense sticks have been around for many years. Incense is inexpensive, and many brands provide a huge supply that will easily last a season. The downside is that incense can bother many people, either because they don’t like the smell or the smoke. They can also leave behind quite a bit of ash, and children or pets might get burned. In rare cases, the incense can even start a fire.
Conclusion
When choosing your next mosquito repellent, we recommend our pick for the best overall. Wondercide is a safe spray for children or pets that can effectively reduce the number of mosquitos in the area. It uses plant-based ingredients and works for up to 2 hours per application. Another smart choice is our pick for the best value, the Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent. It has a pleasant fragrance and is effective at keeping away mosquitos.
Ed Malaker is an experienced writer who has brought his knowledge to a wide range of blogs, including home improvement, guitars, computer programming, tools, fitness, and pets. If you don't catch him writing, you can usually find Ed working in the garden or taking on DIY projects around the house. Ed’s also a talented musician, spending time composing music for independent films or helping people fix their guitars.
Ed Malaker
