*Article updated July 2026
For the mosquito-plagued, summer is a season of suffering. We can’t go outside without those vicious blood-suckers targeting our weakest points (why is it always the ankles?!), blanketing us in angry, itchy welts.
And yes, there is a certain subset of people for whom mosquitos hunger more. They’re equal opportunity pests, for sure, but research has found that some people present a stronger allure: individuals with high metabolisms produce more carbon dioxide, which can attract them from over 30 feet away; those with higher body temperatures turn mosquitoes into heat-seeing missiles; and some studies have found that female mosquitoes (the ones that bite) are more strongly attracted to people with Type O blood over Types A or B.
Unfortunately, we can’t do much to change what makes us so irresistible to those miniscule vampires. But we can protect ourselves with loose, flowy clothing that makes it harder for them to reach our skin. And we can coat ourselves in offensive-smelling insect repellants in an attempt to hide the scent of the bacteria on our skin, which release an appealing odor as they break down sweat. (Our own skin’s microbiome is a traitorous wretch!) Or, if you’re willing to spend a little more money, you can use a device that will keep some mosquitoes at bay, within certain parameters.
We’ve done some research, appealing to the experts to tell us how we can enjoy the outdoors again without becoming a blood sacrifice. Here’s what we found.
High-Tech Solutions
Photon Matrix
In his The Atlantic article “America Is Missing Out on the Ultimate Mosquito Weapon,” Ross Anderson reported that a company called Photon Matrix Lab had developed a device that would eliminate mosquitoes using tiny lasers, shooting them down mid-flight with “what looks like a blue-violet lightning bolt.” The device, which looks a bit like a fancy security camera, guarantees that it will eradicate mosquitoes within a range of six meters, and is completely safe; it also won’t harm desirable insects like bees and butterflies. (Their viral video of a mosquito getting shot down is highly satisfying to watch, at any rate.) At the time of publication, the device is only available for pre-order via IndieGoGo, for the low, low introductory price of $648. According to their website, as of April 2026 they had approximately 4,000 orders in queue, and expect mass production and global shipments to begin around August of 2026.
Do I want one? Desperately, yes. Is my husband being a buzz-kill by not letting me get the buzz-killer machine? Also yes. But all signs point to it being pretty effective.
Thermacell E-ZoneGuard Patio Max
The New York Times’ Wirecutter has also been on a quest for mosquito repellants that actually work. “After spending 80 hours researching a category full of marketing hype and debunked methods (including popular options like citronella candles), we found that the Patio Max stands out by actually being effective,” they wrote in their June 2026 review.
For less than $50, the ThermaCell E-ZoneGuard promises to create a consistent 20-foot zone of protection from mosquitoes using a form of magic they don’t even try to explain called ActiveShield™ Technology. You just need to turn it on, and the thermos-sized device emits an odorless repellant for up to 12 hours. (According to Wirecutter, the active chemical acting as a repellant is metofluthrin, which has “undergone thorough vetting by the EPA and other regulatory agencies around the world, and is deemed safe for this intended use.” Further studies also show that it won’t harm helpful pollinators like honey bees.)
The only downside is that a stiff breeze will blow the dispersed repellant away, defeating our bubble of protection. (The good news is that mosquitoes are weak flyers, so a stiff breeze would also make them blow away.)
Smelly, But Effective
Pic’s Mosquito Repelling Coils
Far cheaper than the electronic options, Pic’s Mosquito Repelling Coils effectively clear a small area of mosquitos for $7 for a pack of 10, according to Wirecutter. Operating like a slow-burning fuse, the coils burn for 5-7 hours, emitting a smoke with an odor that some people find unpleasant. At least it’s not greasy and applied to the skin?
Spray Repellants
As much as we can try to surround ourselves with mosquito-repellant devices, they won’t protect us if we’re in motion (like mowing the lawn or on a hike), on breezy days, and outside of a small safe-zone. So it’s inevitable that we will have to turn to spray repellants for protection at some point or another.
Wirecutter, our trusted advisor when it comes to product reviews, has also conducted extensive research on the most effective bug sprays. Here’s what they found:
Two main categories of bug sprays have been proven to work: those with DEET and those that use Picaridin. DEET gets a bad rep — with its oily feel and potent smell, and it has been known to damage some types of outdoor gear — but it is still considered the “gold standard” broad-spectrum repellant in tropical or rugged environments. Some people avoid DEET products due to concerns about its safety, but studies have shown that those concerns were based on decades-old misconceptions.
Picaridin is a synthetic version of a repellent found in pepper plants that has been proven just about equal to DEET in repelling power without being hard on sensitive skin and plastics. Some research has even shown that certain formulations might last longer than DEET. It’s also low odor and non-greasy, which is a major plus for people who hate the way DEET feels and smells.
DEET Sprays:
Dina Fonseca, an entomology professor at Rutgers University, told The New York Times that mosquito repellants containing DEET are easily the most effective at keeping bugs at bay. It is recommended that you apply it to any exposed skin, paying careful attention to places you might forget such as your ankles, hands, wrists, the tops of your feet, the back of your neck and even your face (avoiding the eyes and mouth, of course). In the same article, Karthikeyan Chandrasegaran, an assistant professor of entomology at the University of California, Riverside, suggested looking for mosquito repellants containing 25% DEET, which offer about 8 hours of protection.
Wirecutter’s top DEET-containing choice is Cutter Backwoods Dry Insect Repellant, which they say smells milder and feels less oily than other repellants they tried.
PICARIDIN Sprays:
In Wirecutter’s most recent update, from June 2026, they proclaimed Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellant to be “the best bottle of bug spray we found after testing over 30 repellants and talking to everyone from the EPA to the American Mosquito Control Association.” It’s safe, it works, and they say it won’t stink or leave a puddle of oil on your skin.
Wearable Protection
Permethrin-treated Clothing
Permethrin is an insect repellant that is applied to clothing and gear, but it’s primarily used to deter ticks, not mosquitoes. That said, if you want to become a bug-repelling fortress, it can’t hurt.
Anti-Mosquito Clothing
My social media algorithm is familiar with my quest to be as bug-bite free as possible, so I’ve been getting lots of targeted ads for MozzieStyle’s ShrugBug line of clothes. These lightweight jackets and pants are, as far as I can tell, just dressed-up mosquito netting, but they look like they’d do the job for keeping bugs away from your skin. You can get both the jacket and pants for about $70, but you won’t be winning any fashion awards.
*Featured image courtesy of Jimmy Chan via Canva
