Best Mosquito Repellents
Nature’s ways are strange and intriguing. While humans boast of being at the top of the food chain, they are fragile and easily fall prey to much smaller and insignificant mosquitoes.
Every year, millions succumb to malaria, dengue, chikungunya, etc. No matter where we live, we are never out of the reach of mosquitoes.
For this problem, a mosquito repellant makes up our ideal companion in our perennial struggle against mosquitoes.
A mosquito-repellant promises a good night’s sleep and provides effective protection against various mosquito-borne infectious diseases. These repellents are a great home remedy for mosquitos control at home and outside.
From this review, you will get to know about precautions that are mandatory before application, types, buyers guide, frequently asked questions and the top 7 best mosquito repellents.
7 Best Mosquito Repellents in India
| Product (Best Brands) | Best Price |
|---|---|
Our Pick |  |
Easy to Use | |
Easy to Use | |
Very effective | |
Long Lasting Effect | |
Best for warm coastal areas | |
Unique Odor | |
Precautions Taken When Applying Repellents
The allergic reaction to mosquito’s saliva is what causes severe irritation on your skin when the mosquito bites you.
However, you can inflict the pain of equal magnitude on yourself if you don’t apply repellents on your skin appropriately. Here are some of the guidelines to follow when applying mosquito repellents on your skin:
- Repellents should be applied sparingly on the exposed skin parts of your body. Mosquitos are always looking for a bare spot, no matter how tiny it is.
- Do not apply it to where clothing covers you unless the mosquito can bite through the piece of clothing.
- Expectant mothers and those nursing infants should either keep off or limit the use of repellents to avoid causing any effects to the unborn baby.
- The strength of repellents lies in the active ingredients formulating the content in it. For instance, one that has a 30% DEET product will last up to 6 hours.
- Lower percentages of the ingredient will last for less time. So it is important to calculate to determine the intervals for applying your repellent of choice.
- While applying repellents to your skin, ensure your hand does not come into direct contact with your nose and lips. This prevents you from inhaling or ingesting the product as it is harmful to your health.
- In case you have fresh wounds or irritated skin on your body, it is vital to avoid applying repellents to the affected areas because that would be detrimental to their healing.
- Wear protective clothing, especially during peak mosquito seasons. Always have a pullover or long sleeve shirts when outside.
Different Types of Mosquito Repellents
There are several approaches and scientific methods of repelling mosquitoes away from our homes. These include electronic mosquito repellents, creams, sprays, perfumes, coils, vaporiser devices, oils, and much more.
The level of effectiveness in repelling mosquitoes is different for every method, and their choice relies on the individual’s preference and budget.
The section that follows will explore these methods in detail, citing their advantages and disadvantages to decide your choice.
Electronic Mosquito Repellents
This method of repelling mosquitoes is probably the safest technique since there are no chemicals involved. Also, there is no direct engagement or any form of contact with the mosquitoes.
An electronic mosquito repellent is designed to produce ultrasound that irritates mosquitoes to chase them away.
Mosquitoes have sensory nerves in their antennae that enable them to hear the electronic mosquito repellents’ high-pitched sounds.
These sounds are usually transmitted by the male mosquitoes and received by the females who avoid and run away from the noise.
Radio stations work adopts a similar principle by broadcasting frequencies higher than 15 kHz to repel mosquitoes away and allow adults to listen to their programs.
Mosquito Vaporizers
The composition of the liquid in the vaporisers includes an anti-oxidant, insecticide and perfume.
The perfume is for deterring humans from detecting the rotten smell while the anti-oxidant deprives mosquitoes of oxygen.
The insecticide, which is the most important component of the liquid contains Transfluthrin and a stabiliser.
Transfluthrin penetrates the skin of the mosquito to induce paralysis that slows movement in a mosquito. Eventually, it damages the nervous system disabling its movement completely.
These vaporisers, however, have negative health implications for human beings. The effects may include irritations, skin rashes, headaches, dizziness and threat to asthmatic individuals.
It is also important to note that cats are allergic to vaporisers.
Mosquito repellent spray
Trucks are mounted with fogging units that apply mosquito repellents in the form of an ultra-low-volume (ULV) spray.
The ULV spray comes as tiny droplets that float on air to kill mosquitoes at an instant it comes into contact.
This method of application uses less amount of the active ingredients required. For instance, an amount less than a glass full is effective for an area with a basketball ground size.
Since some spray contents like DEET contains harmful chemicals in their composition, they can pose detrimental health effects on human beings.
To maintain safety while spraying for adult mosquitoes, it is recommended that you take several precautions.
These include emptying the house of essentials like human and pet food, water bowls, children’s toys, small fish bonds, bird-baths, and staying off the sprayed area until it completely dries up.
Mosquito Repellent Lotion
This is the most convenient method because using it is so much easier and you can carry it along for your camps or other adventures with friends.
If used in controlled amounts and frequency, the method is considered safer than sprays and vaporisers.
However, it is essential to realise that these lotions are composed of potent chemicals threatening mosquitoes.
If they are poisonous to mosquitoes, excessive use on your body results in health complications for your skin. The chemicals slowly infiltrate your skin, and continued heavy use may cause severe irritation and rashes on the skin.
Other factors to consider may include the type of active ingredients used in the manufacture of the lotion. For instance, DEET may be highly effective and gets absorbed into your skin quickly but subjects you to irritation.
Similarly, you should resist from regularly applying lotions that contain permethrin as they make you susceptible to rashes.
Expectant and lactating mothers should also avoid applying mosquito repellent lotions on their skin because it can affect the unborn baby or infant.
Mosquito Repellent Roll-On
This method involves directly applying the gel on your skin’s exposed areas to form some sort of mask or barrier that physically protects you from mosquito bites.
The gel’s active ingredients contain oils that are released to the atmosphere to prevent the original smell of your body from reaching mosquitoes.
This way, it becomes impossible for them to trace you. The mode of application is simple and effective.
All you need to do is roll it on your body as required, according to the degree of mosquito infestation in the environment within.
Safety is also guaranteed because the active ingredients in the roll-on are all-natural. These include rosemary, mint, geranium, citronella and clove oils.
Buyers Guide
Mosquito repellents are available in different chemical compositions, sizes, modes of application (sprays or lotion), and vary in terms of the advantages and benefits of the users.
It is important to have all the details at your fingertips before purchasing a repellent product of your choice. There are so many factors to consider before deciding what type of repellent works best for you.
Some of them include:
Ease of Application
Since the mosquito repellent emits heavy content that quickly covers a large area, care must be taken to avoid drippy fluid that spills over to non-targeted areas.
The content should quickly dry on the skin to avoid irritating the user. Here the percentage of DEET ingredient in the spray plays a role too.
The higher the percentage, the more irritating it is and the longer it stays active on the skin. We would suggest a lower percentage that can last for an average of 4 hours or less because their consequences are less severe.
Scent
This works differently for all the repellents available in the market. Once again, the percentage of DEET in the product also determines the level of smell.
Let’s face it some repellents start to stink right from when the plastic opens, and you can feel it deep in your nostrils. Others you can hardly smell unless you dive your nose onto the part of the skin that it has been applied to.
The easiest way to tell a smelly repellent on the store is to pass it by your nose area to detect any smell leaks from it.
Spray Capacity
It is essential to acknowledge that repellents cost money and must be economically applied while maximising results.
The nozzle size matters because it should minimise the content it emits as much as possible.
The application formula should be a quick spray followed by hand-spreading the sprayed fluid to other areas of the exposed skin. This way, the consumption becomes lower per round and saves on the product in the long run.
Target Users
Kids have different chemical limits than adults. For instance, products made from lemon eucalyptus oil must not be applied to kids of less than 3 years of age.
It is best to check if the percentage of the active ingredient on the repellent agrees with the users’ age intended for the product.
It is great to rely on the dry repellents because they effectively minimise irritation on your skin.
Gentleness
This especially goes to the people who have sensitive skin and scent. How the spray feels on your skin determines your comfort in the dominant mosquito areas outside.
Dermatologists report that repellent products that adopt very active ingredients like Picaridin can be destructive on sensitive skin layers in large percentages.
We came up with this list after extensive research and test on the products followed by hours of interviews with mosquito experts and dermatologists from well-performing nations of the world.
Read through carefully to understand your repellent of choice.
7 Best Mosquito Repellents
1. Good Knight Roll-On
This roll-on is a proven mosquito repellent designed to work on fabric. It has two main active ingredients in its composition; pure citronella and eucalyptus oils.
You just need to apply at least 4 dots on your attire, and it is effective for 8 hours. The scent has a strong fragrance and works even if a small amount is applied.
- A bottle of Good Knight fabric roll-on contains a 100% natural ingredients. It has citronella and eucalyptus oils that combine to repel away from the mosquitoes strongly
- When 4 dots of the product are applied to your fabric, the effect lasts for 8 good hours
- You can apply it to the uniforms of school going kids to protect them at school
- It is a very convenient compact product
- It protects you from malaria, dengue and chikungunya
- It has been proven to work outdoors no matter the weather and your kids are well-protected even if they were playing in the rain
- It causes no harm when accidentally applied directly on the skin
- Can be used by expectant mothers with no side effects
- Highly portable and easy to use
- A bit strong for babies below two months of age
- The amount in it is limited to only 8ml
2. The Moms Co. Mosquito Repellent
The Moms Co. natural mosquito repellent is packed with the goodness of natural oils that repels the deadly mosquitoes and effectively prevents mosquito-borne infectious diseases like malaria, chikungunya, and dengue.
This mosquito-repellant can be used outdoors as well as indoors. It needs to be applied to your skin. It is a safe and gentle repellant that is suitable for your baby’s delicate skin.
This repellent is designed to be suitable for all types of skin. It is recommended for 6 months old babies and above to enjoy sound sleep and stay healthy.
- It is a natural mosquito repellant enriched with the power of 5 natural oils, including citronella, cedarwood, eucalyptus, soya, and lemongrass. It is a potent blend of natural oils that repel bugs effectively
- Once applied, this repellant protects against mosquitoes for up to 4 hours
- It is a DEET- Free mosquito-repellent that is prepared without any synthetic compounds. Thus, it does not cause skin irritations and it is safe for use in babies and pregnant women
- It provides superior protection against diseases spreading mosquitoes, bacteria, and fungi. It also prevents free radical damage
- It features 2% soybean oil that is extracted from the seeds of the soybean plant. It serves as a powerful anti-oxidant, and it is rich in Vitamin E. It provides effective protection for the skin against the damage caused by free radicals
- The lemongrass oil has a high content of citral and geraniol that helps in repelling mosquitoes and houseflies
- The eucalyptus oil has a strong, sweet, and woody smell. It repels mosquitoes due to its antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties
- It is an ideal blend of natural oils that repel mosquitoes and provides robust safety for your babies against dangerous diseases like malaria, chikungunya, and dengue
- It is equipped with natural ingredients that make it highly effective
- It is an alcohol-free and safe repellant that constitutes 100% plant-based ingredients. Thus, it is devoid of harmful chemicals and can be used on the delicate skin of babies
- It has a no shake formula that is suitable for babies up to 3 years. It comprises organic apricot oil and avocado oil that nourishes dry skin for keeping it moisturized for longer durations
- It comprises organic rice bran oil that hydrates and protects the baby’s skin due to its rich content of various vitamins & minerals.
- This mosquito repellent is an Australia-Certified toxin-free, dermatologically tested, Australia allergy certified, and made-safe product that is safe for the babies.
- It does not contain any harmful or synthetic ingredients. It is a toxin-free and mineral-free product prepared without parabens, mineral oil, sulphates (SLS, SLES), synthetic fragrances, silicones, DEA/TEA, etc
- The smell of lemongrass is a little bit strong.
3. Mamaearth Anti-Mosquito Repellent
Mamaearth anti-mosquito repellent is a fabric roll-on containing a mixture of natural oils meant to repel away mosquitoes but does not leave stains on your clothes.
It has a sweet fragrance that should not be used alongside a perfume because the two smells can sharply clash, leading to less effect on the mosquitoes.
This herbal mosquito repellent is suitable for all age groups, and to attain maximum effectiveness, it has to be applied to many areas of the body.
The tests reveal that the product has an effect that lasts for up to 8 hours.
- The particular natural components are lemongrass oil, caprylic, capric triglycerides, eucalyptus and citronella oils
- At least 5 drops on your clothes will sustain your immunity to mosquitoes for 8 hours
- It is toxin-free as ingredients like DEET and alcohol are absent in the formula. Thus, the product safely applies to everyone in the household including kids
- The roll-on is not sticky, making it easy to apply it on fabric parts of your clothes. Similarly, it fades away after hours being effective, leaving your attire in the same state as when it was applied
- For the kids as young as 2 months old or below, it is advisable to apply it on their baby strollers, prams, and cots to avoid them coming into a direct contact
- Mamaearth is a value for money product that stays effective for long hours
- Better than most night roll-ons
- The smell may come off a bit strong, especially for people with respiratory allergies
- Sometimes the amount may be less than what is mentioned
4. Bodyguard Mosquito Repellent
As the name suggests, Bodyguard is a product designed to protect your body against nasty bites by mosquitoes.
It comes with a range of strong herbal ingredients ranging from natural extracts of aloe vera to Nepeta cataria, forming the foundation for its working.
Bodyguard is a known one because of the toughness with which it repels mosquitos and because it comes at an affordable price.
Besides, it does not contain dangerous chemicals like DEET, which makes it applicable to all the people irrespective of age. You can apply this bug repellent happily on your skin and go off to your outdoor activities without anticipating irritations.
- With Bodyguard, all the contents are natural and come with masks to protect children from air pollution
- The bottle structure is designed in a way that makes it easy to apply and last for long. A wider bottom and narrowed neck towards the opening gives it pressure when the handle is pressed for spray
- The fragrance from the great mixture of the essential oils in its components makes it smell nice and skin-friendly
- It has natural ingredients including oil from eucalyptus, aloe vera extracts, Citronella, and much more. This helps repel but not kill mosquitoes
- Bodyguard herbal repellent comes in a 100ml bottle that can easily fit in a small purse or handbag
- Can be applied on beds, clothing, car seat and exposed skin
- Has a standby time of up to 8 hours
- It comes in a nice package
- Uncontrolled spraying may empty the small bottle and costs high in the long run
5. Nutree Pure Mosquito Repellent
This is one of the most effective and safest DEET-free mosquito repellents with a standby effect of up to 8 hours.
Bugaway, the parent company that manufactures Nutree Pure, is a well-established institution with a proven track record in producing leading oil-based repellents.
Nutree Pure is made from natural herbal extracts like lemongrass oil to avoid exposing your kids to harsh chemicals.
- The soyabean oil ingredient in it is vital for skin softening because of the high antioxidant content. This helps you develop a healthier skin while staying safe from mosquitoes
- A 100ml bottle of Nutree Pure contains more than 450 sprays that can efficiently last for at least two months
- Safe for all age groups and people of different careers. Children, adults, sportspersons, can all use it without fear of side effects
- A single spray is effective for up to 8 hours.
- The lemon eucalyptus component of the product not only serves in scaring away the mosquitoes but has a range of health benefits too. These include prevention of cold, cough, high temperatures, flu and sinusitis
- There is peppermint oil in the composition of Nutree Pure that helps treat skin inflammations and has a relaxing effect on rashes and itch
- Does more than just repel mosquitoes due to its many health benefits
- The sprayer nozzle itself works really fine
- The natural smell is appealing and efficiently replaces chemically prepared synthetic sprays
- It is quite mild and may not get rid of all mosquitoes
6. Strategi Mosquito Repellent
This is specifically a room sprayer repellent that is made from oil extracts of natural plants. Diseases like malaria and dengue can be deadly and need to be treated with the same seriousness as cholera and Ebola.
The Strategi repellent application requires that you spray it all over your room, including behind your curtains, under your bed and other such areas.
- Strategi repellent is made of a natural and non-toxic blend of ingredients that makes it versatile in application.
- You can use it at home or public spaces like hospitals, classrooms, hotels, and offices without worrying about imposing any side effects on the occupants.
- Since it is a room sprayer, you can adjust the mode of application to use it sparingly.
- The Strategi repellent’s plant ingredients include neem, citronella, and cedarwood that give it a fresh fragrance that is pleasing to the nose but tough on mosquitoes.
- Each bottle has 450 shots that can last for a month in a 2-3 bedroom house.
- The herbal strategy applies to all age groups and is environment-friendly.
- Can be diluted with water and shaken well before spraying on the prospective mosquito hiding places
- It can also be applied to body parts like feet
- May have the least effect on mosquitoes if not applied correctly
- You may need to refresh the scent, or else mosquitoes will revisit in a few hours
7. Dabur Odomos Repellent Cream
Mosquitoes usually detect us by our body odours.
Dabur Odomos is the Mosquito repellent cream that makes you virtually invisible to the mosquitoes by shielding your body odour from reaching them.
They can fly around this way but never get a chance to know your presence and therefore won’t attack.
- The repellent is made up of natural ingredients, including aloe vera and citronella oil. Aloe Vera is a popular plant with many health benefits to human beings
- This cream repellent, when applied once lasts for up to 12 hours. Some repellents wear off after a few hours and mosquitoes start reigning on you again. Dabur Odomos’ effectiveness is unmatched
- It is free of chemicals. Your family is safe because they don’t have to inhale any harmful sprays
- It helps you to avoid malaria, dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases by creating a virtual shield that cannot be penetrated by the mosquitoes around you
- It is light for easy portability
- It does not stick to the fabric
- Cannot be mixed with other body lotions
- May wear off with sweats and requires regular application to the skin
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What ingredients repel mosquitoes?
The common ingredients in mosquito ingredients include lemongrass, citronella, soybean oil, and lavender oil. These natural smelling fragrances help to repel mosquitoes.
Others include diethyl carbonate, picaridin, diethyl phthalate, metofluthrin and DEET.
Over the years, DEET chemical has developed to become a standard in repelling mosquitoes. The most important thing while at the store is to check the active ingredients in a repellent product’s composition before purchasing it.
2. Is there a pill to repel mosquitoes?
Yes. This may sound surprising, but a pill called Mozi-Q contains all-natural ingredients for repelling mosquitoes.
Before visiting a mosquito-infested area, you have to take it because it takes at least half an hour before starting to be effective. It doesn’t have any side effects and may apply to other annoying insects too.
Chemical bug sprays can have long term effects that are detrimental to your health. It is good to practice alternative methods of controlling mosquito bites and their severity.
3. What smells do mosquitoes hate?
Apart from many health benefits that Lavender provides to human beings, its purple flowers emit a pungent smell that scares mosquitoes away. They just hate the scent and will stay away from it as much as possible.
Oil extracts from the plant can be used as one of the ingredients in the manufacture of natural mosquito repellents.
Other plants that produce an equally uncomfortable smell to mosquitoes include eucalyptus, lemon balm, garlic, peppermint, citronella, and much more.
4. What colour lights do mosquitoes hate?
White colours and khaki will help deter them.
Black and blue colours attract mosquitoes the most. So to avoid mosquito bites, it is important not to wear clothing with these dark colours.
Conclusion
We all were taught in school that “Prevention is better than cure”. It’s a wise decision to invest in high-quality mosquito repellants rather than paying expensive medical bills in hospitals.
A mosquito-repellant is no longer a luxury but an absolute necessity for leading a healthy life. Our top three are The Moms Co. natural mosquito repellent, Good Knight mosquito repellent and Bodyguard herbal mosquito repellent.
By applying these repellants onto your skin, you can not only prevent the mosquitoes-created nuisance but also avoid their kiss of death that may land you in hospitals.
With a mosquito-repellant, you can enjoy peace of mind and stay healthy even if you live near swampy areas that are regarded as the breeding ground of these deadly predators.
