Best Mosquito Repellent For (Bug-Free) Travel
Whether you are planning a seaside summer vacation or a Safari expedition, you need to make sure that you protect yourself from mosquitos. Sure, some are completely harmless and they will just annoy you, but others are actually carriers of dangerous illnesses, such as Zika, the West Nile virus, etc.
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It is always better to be safe than sorry, so the best way to protect yourself from these pesky bugs (and others!) is to arm yourself with an effective repellent.
In this review, we will first take a look at the various types of mosquito repellents out there. Then, we will take a look at the best products from the most effective repellent categories. So, without further ado, here are the best mosquito repellents for travel!
Different Types Of Mosquito Repellents
The most common types of mosquito repellents are:
- Sprays
- Lotions
- Electric Diffusers
- Ultrasonic Repellents
- Bracelets
- Candles
- Wall stickers
- Repellent wipes…
For some reason, mosquitos love me. Whenever I go away on a summer vacation, I return home with dozens of mosquito bites. Do you know what’s the best part? I am actually allergic to them, so every single bite swells to the size of at least a golf ball.
So, I have plenty of experience in dealing with these pesky little bugs, and I can honestly tell you what works best. We’ll start off this review with electric diffuser repellents because, in my experience, these do the best job.
We’ll also take a look at a few sprays and lotions, as these are great for the on-the-go. They can provide up to 14 hours of protection, and they are your best option if you want to stay protected while you are out and about. Especially if you plan to spend a lot of time in nature.
Bracelets are also pretty effective, especially if you want to protect your kids. They are great because they can last for several days. Once the effect of a bracelet wears out, you just throw it out and put on a new one. And, most are made of fully natural ingredients, so you don’t need to panic even if your child (or pet) decides to check what the bracelet tastes like.
In this review, we will not go over any candles or wall stickers, because they are the least effective (in my experience!). Additionally, candles usually have an unpleasant odor. Also, both the stickers and candles are meant to protect you inside or on the patio/balcony, so there is really not much need to go over them – electric repellents perform better in these settings.
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W4W Citronella Mosquito Repellent Coils
Mosquito coils are something people have been using for decades. For some strange reason, mosquitos just seem to hate them. Simply lay a few around where you are sitting, taking into account any wind or breezes, and soon you will have significantly fewer mosquitos around.
I find such coils are super effective and often leave me bite-free, but if you are someone they love to bite, I would also combine it with some DEET spray if you are sitting outside for a long time. Just to be safe!
Setting them up is easy too. All you need are some matches or a lighter, and they will then burn very slowly for hours. Of course, because they run down over time, you will need to keep some stock on hand so that you always have replacements. But other than that, there are very few downsides.
Pros
- Creates a handy mosquito-free zone when you are outside
- DEET-free
- Easy to use and setup
Cons
- They do burn down over time and need replacing
- People who the mosquitos love will need to combine it with a spray
Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
Ultrasonic repellents also do a great job at protecting you from insect bites. They are much more suitable for indoor use than diffusers or coils because they don’t release any toxic chemicals or smells. Instead, they produce ultrasonic waves (ie. they are silent to humans) that repel insects. This also makes them safer to use overnight, especially if you have pets or small children.
And, I don’t know about you, but one of my biggest concerns, when I travel during the summer, is mosquitos feasting on me while I’m sleeping. And you can leave this baby on while you sleep!
Note, however, that these devices are harmful to hamsters. Additionally, a downside of such devices is that you have to wait a week or two for them to actually start working. But, once they start to work, it will efficiently protect you from insects. However, since they take a while to actually start repelling bugs, they are not really that useful for short vacations.
These devices work best in smaller rooms – bedrooms, living rooms, etc. If you want to repel mosquitos from a larger area (a garage or a basement) you will need to plug in several of these in the room for them to stay effective.
A restriction is that they have to be plugged into an outlet. This means that they are not very portable, and won’t do much for you once you leave the room the device is operating in. On the other hand, they do not require any tablets or heat to work, so they are better (and cheaper) than diffusers or coils.
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Pros
- Not toxic
- Meant for indoor/overnight use
- Safe for use with children and pets
Cons
- Takes 1-2 weeks to start working
- Not portable
- Not suitable for indoor use
Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelet
Bracelets are a great choice because they are incredibly easy to use. You just put one on, and that’s it! You are protected from mosquito bites for the next 2-3 days. And, they are waterproof, so you don’t have to take them off even when you want to go for a swim.
They have a really strong lemongrass smell. And, even though they are chemical-free and made of 100% natural ingredients if you are sensitive to smells this will be a problem for you. In that case, you might consider wearing this around your ankle; their effect will still be as powerful, but their scent will not.
A great thing about such a bracelet is that you get a multi-pack with various colors. And when you are not using the bracelet, just put it away and use it again later.
It’s also cool that they come in 5 different colors, so everyone can choose the one they like best.
The downside of these? They might not be as effective for people who get bitten by mosquitos more often than your average Joe. They will still work wonderfully, but one or 2 of those annoying insects could get through to your skin.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Lasts up to 420 hours
- Made of natural ingredients
Cons
- May not work for people who attract mosquitos
Repel 94101 6-Ounce Sportsmen Max Insect Repellent
Spray repellents are usually really good at protecting you from bites. The Repel’s effect can last up to 8 hours, and after that you just re-apply it. This particular spray is made of 40% DEET, a chemical that is used in most insect repellents.
Even though DEET is mostly harmless, it can cause skin irritation, especially if you are allergic to it. If you experience any unusual irritations after applying the spray, stop using it and get tested for a DEET allergy. And by all means, avoid spraying it in your eyes in your mouth.
This particular spray is great if you are planning to travel to Africa, and you want to protect yourself from mosquitoes that transmit Zika, Dengue, and West Nile viruses. It is a very strong repellent, and as such, it is recommended that you do not spray it under your clothing. It is, however, suitable to be used on the face; just don’t spray it directly on your face.
This spray is meant for outdoor use, and it is not recommended that you use it in enclosed areas. A good thing about this spray is that you can use it on children, just don’t spray it directly on their skin.
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Pros
- Great at repelling insects and works with disease-transmitting mosquitos
- Suitable for kids
- Works outdoors
Cons
- Not suitable for indoor use
- DEET is an allergen
Sawyer Products Premium Ultra 30% DEET Repellent
In general, lotions have an advantage over sprays because they last longer. However, you can’t apply lotions to your clothes and sprays you can. In terms of their effectiveness, I’d say that they both do a great job. Additionally, this is suitable for children, and there are no restrictions on indoor/outdoor use.
This lotion in particular has an effect that lasts up to 11 hours. You can apply it in combination with sunscreen – the first pun on sunscreen and then put on the repellent. You will be safe from bug bites whether you are on a safari or just strolling along the lakeshore.
This lotion contains 30% DEET which will protect you from bug bites incredibly well. And, another advantage this, and many other lotions have over sprays is that they are usually odorless. Therefore, if you are sensitive to strong smells but still need powerful and long-lasting protections, maybe a lotion is the way to go.
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Pros
- Odorless
- Suitable for kids
- Lasts up to 8 hours
Cons
- Can't be applied to clothes
- DEET is an allergen
What Mosquito Repellent Should I Get?
That depends on several things. First, it depends on whether you need the repellent for use indoors or outdoors. For indoor use, I would recommend an ultrasonic repellent, such as the Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller.
- DRIVING OUT PESTS FROM YOUR HOME : Our mouse repellent uses state of bionic wave , electromagnetic wave and ultrasonic wave technology to drive pests away , which drive pests out of your home for good. Mice, rats, spiders, roaches, mosquitoes, ants ,snakes , rats; None are immune to our bug repellent and completely leave after a few short weeks of use.
- EASY TO USE : Simply plug our rodent repellent in the outlet, ultrasonic mouse repellent works when you notice the green light is on , which is used for minor pest infestation; Adjust to blue light mode if you have middle pest infestation, Turning on Red mode if you have terrible pests infestation.
For outdoor use, I would suggest either a bracelet or a coil, depending on whether you need to repel mosquitos while you are out and about, or when you are just chilling on the patio. I would say recommend the W4W Citronella Mosquito Repellent Coils, simply because old-school tech like this is simple, portable, easy to use, and just works!
- 3 Pack (Contains 12 coils & 6 coil stands)
- Each Coil Burns for 5 - 7 Hours
On the other hand, if you need something to protect yourself while you are out exploring nature, then a lotion or a spray is the way to go. Your best bet is to get something that contains DEET, provided you are not allergic to it. DEET is undoubtedly the most used chemical in mosquito repellents, and it is incredibly effective. Since lotions last longer than sprays, I’d say go for the Sawyer Products lotion.
- Liposome-based repellent with 30 percent DEET — great for use in the backcountry or backyard
- Effective against mosquitoes, ticks, flies, chiggers, fleas, and no-see-ums
For a bite-free vacation, go check out these products on Amazon; you won’t find a better deal anywhere else!
