7 Mosquito Control Products That Actually Work to Keep Your Summer Celebrations Itch-Free

Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so if you have any on your property, like a rain barrel, a pond, a birdbath, or even a blocked gutter, you need some Mosquito Dunks. Each donut-shaped dunk contains BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis). This is a naturally occurring bacterium that is toxic to mosquito larvae but completely harmless to other things like fish, birds, pets, and humans.

Drop one of these babies into standing water, and it will slowly release BTI for up to 30 days. It’s best used proactively, so don’t wait until you see mosquitoes because by then it’s too late. The great thing about these is that they treat up to 100 square feet of surface water (so perfect if you have a little pond), and it’s the product that famously powers the “bucket of doom,” which you can read about here. The bucket of doom is a DIY trap that lures and kills mosquitoes before they even get a chance to hatch.

For bird bath use specifically, check out our guide on how to stop mosquitoes breeding in your bird bath.

Mosquito Bits are basically a fast-acting version of the Dunks. It’s the same BTI technology but in a granule format that works within 24 hours. This is ideal if you’ve got a major infestation of larvae on your hands that needs knocking back quickly.

Sprinkle them right onto the surface water, or soak them in a watering can and apply to garden beds where water tends to collect. Many gardeners use Bits as an initial shock treatment, then follow up with Dunks for ongoing monthly control.

Bonus: they’re also EPA-labeled to kill fungus gnat larvae in potted plants, which is a very welcome side effect.

This is one of those products that always makes people scratch their heads and wonder why they didn’t think to buy it sooner. The Thermacell works by heating the repellent within the rechargeable device. From there, it diffuses an odorless, DEET-free repellent, creating a 20-foot zone of protection around wherever you place it. That means no yucky smell from mosquito spray or citronella, and no smoke. You can just set it in the center of your table or wherever you’re sitting outside, wait 15 minutes, and mosquitoes will leave that area. Editor Kathleen Walters never hosts garden parties without her Thermacell. She’s a certified mosquito magnet and swears by it!

The device has a 6.5-hour charge, and each cartridge lasts for 36 hours. It’s been around for over 25 years and is consistently rated one of the most effective patio mosquito solutions out there. It works best in calm conditions, as the wind reduces the zone of protection significantly, so if it’s stormy out, probably best to go with another option or at least position it in a sheltered area.

If you’re working in the garden rather than just sitting at the table and relaxing, you’ll need a personal repellent for your skin. Picaridin is the active ingredient that has largely overtaken DEET as the recommendation from outdoor experts and public health agencies. It’s equal in effectiveness, super comfy to wear, and won’t melt your sunglasses or damage synthetic fabrics in your clothes.

Sawyer’s 20% formula protects against mosquitoes and ticks for up to 12 hours, dries quickly, and has no noticeable smell once you’ve applied it. It was even rated by the New York Times Wirecutter and Consumer Reports as a top pick. Apply it to all your exposed skin before heading outside, especially the back of the neck and ankles, which mosquitoes love to target.

While Picaridin is great for using on your skin, you still need something for your clothes, tents, and gear if you’re out camping or hiking, and that’s where permethrin comes in. The great thing about this is that it not only repels mosquitoes and other insects, but it also kills them upon contact.

Spray it on your shirts, pants, socks, and garden gloves, and it will bond to the fabric, remaining effective for up to 6 weeks or 6 washes. A University of Rhode Island study found that people who treated their shoes and socks with permethrin were 73.6 times less likely to get a tick bite, so it’s pulling double duty.

Note: Make sure you apply it to dry clothes outside and allow it to dry completely before wearing them, as it should never go directly on skin.

While the fuel-powered Thermacell E-ZoneGuard is for the table, this rechargeable version is for moving around the garden. It’s USB-charged and comes with a 9-hour battery and a 20-foot protection zone. It can go with you whether you’re weeding, entertaining at different spots around the yard, or taking it camping. It’s DEET-free, scentless, and best of all, you can take it through airport security if you’re going on a plane. The larger protection zone makes it slightly better suited to open spaces where wind might otherwise reduce the effectiveness.

If you want a little ambiance while you control the mosquitoes, this Tiki BiteFighter torch fuel has cedar oil and lemongrass. These are natural ingredients that repel mosquitoes, and it will burn inside any standard Tiki torch for up to 12 hours per fill.

It won’t necessarily replace the Thermacell if you’re under serious pressure from mosquitoes. But, for a light summer night where you want something that looks good and works decently, a ring of lit Tiki torches around a seating area is a solid strategy. Remember the golden rule though: Direction matters, so position torches upwind of wherever you’re sitting.