The 7 Best Insect Repellents for Your Deck and Patio, All on Amazon

6 / 7

Pros:

• Operates nine hours on a single charge
• No open flame or smoke
• EPA-registered repellent
• Creates a 20-foot zone of protection
• Operates on a rechargeable battery

Cons:

• Each cartridge lasts 12 hours then must be replaced (refills sold separately)
• Must remember to recharge between uses

Part of Thermacell’s line of insect repellent products, this rechargeable mosquito repeller mimics the deterring properties of chrysanthemums, a plant that contains pyrethrins, a naturally occurring pesticide known to send insects packing. Just push a button to unleash an invisible 20-foot-wide force field that drives off mosquitoes in 15 minutes and lasts up to nine hours.

“We bought 10 of these for my son’s wedding. We were told at the last minute that the mosquitoes would come out after dark at the venue, so we set them up at the tables and had no issues,” writes five-star reviewer, Kathren W. Staveskie. “Was able to enjoy the wedding without worrying about getting bit.”

7 / 7

Pros:

• Natural and organic
• Pleasant fragrance
• Can be used on skin or plants in the garden

Cons:

• In high concentrations, essential oils may irritate sensitive skin and may be toxic to pets
• Not EPA-registered for efficacy
• Less effective than some chemical repellents

Turning up in store-bought sprays everywhere, essential oils and other natural repellents can be effective deterrents to bugs like mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and even lanternflies. And the best part? You can mix them up at home. Peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon eucalyptus and neem oil can all be diluted with water to create an insect spray. Try this simple DIY mix:

• 2 tablespoons essential oil (mix and match depending on the insect you’re targeting)
• 1/2 tablespoon liquid dish soap
• 1/2 gallon of water

Pour all three ingredients into an empty spray bottle and start spritzing!

For putting off fleas and ticks, try soaking a solution of minced garlic and mineral oil overnight, then putting in a spray bottle. You can spray this mixture on your skin, pets or plants to send ticks running.

Spotted lanternflies, a real nuisance in the garden, aren’t keen on neem oil. Another way to get rid of these flies is with a spray of rubbing alcohol, vinegar and water. You can also try a combination of dish soap and white or apple cider vinegar.

An array of flying bugs can be “grounded” by burning thyme leaves in a campfire or your backyard fire pit.

What to Consider When Buying an Insect Repellent

No one wants to be covered with itchy bug bites, so choosing the right insect repellent requires asking yourself a few questions:

• What kinds of bugs are you targeting? Some repellents work on all insects while others specialize in one or two types, typically mosquitoes and/or ticks.
• How large of an area do you want to cover? Some bug-repelling products protect only you while others cover the whole yard.
• Are you willing to use chemicals? Some insect repellents contain chemicals, which are proven effective but should be used with caution and care, while others are all-natural but may be less effective

How We Found the Best Insect Repellents

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.

FAQ

Does insect repellent expire?

The majority of insect repellents don’t expire, but, depending on the active ingredient, will become less effective over time. For instance, DEET has a longer shelf life than repellents containing ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate, which experts say lasts about 18 months.

What else can I do to repel insects?

Another great option to naturally repel flying insects is to strategically use a few electric fans. “While out enjoying your deck, simply keep a box fan or two positioned near you,” Zack DeAngelis says. “This will prevent insects from being able to fly steady in the strong stream of wind created by the fan, and thus keep you insect-free.”

You might also consider attracting insect predators by putting up a bird or bat house near your deck or patio. “Birds eat a considerable number of insects such as flies and moths, but bats are the real breadwinners when it comes to eating mosquitoes,” DeAngelis says. “Just one bat can significantly reduce mosquito populations in your area.”

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