Mosquitoes are some of the most annoying pests out there. If you’re desperate for a way to keep mosquitoes away from your yard this summer, a mosquito-repelling device may be just the thing you need.
Mosquito-repelling devices protect you from mosquitoes by using heat to disperse a mosquito repellent through the air. This will keep you from having to use bug spray while relaxing outside — at least within a certain area around the device. Windy conditions can limit the effects of the device.
The world of mosquito repellent devices is vast, and it can be a little overwhelming if you’re not familiar with the options and what to look out for. Let’s go through these devices in detail to help you understand them and answer any questions you may have along the way.
Do Mosquito-Repelling Devices Really Work?
In short, yes. Most mosquito-repelling devices will get rid of mosquitoes — as long as you turn them on. The longer answer is that it really depends on a number of factors, such as what type of mosquito-repelling device you buy and where you place it.
The main thing you need to think about when using your mosquito-repelling device is wind direction. These devices work by spraying mosquito repellent into the air, so this repellent can get blown away by the wind.
If the wind blows the repellent away from you, you won’t be getting very much protection, so keep wind direction in mind when using these devices. If there’s no wind, you’re in perfect conditions to just sit around the device like a campfire.
Mosquito-repelling devices are specifically made to keep mosquitoes away, so as long as you use them properly, they should certainly get the job done.
What Are the Best Mosquito-Repelling Devices on the Market?
The sheer amount of mosquito-repelling devices on the market right now can be baffling. So, let’s go through some of the best ones to help you find what you’re looking for.
Thermacell E90 Rechargeable Repeller
The Thermacell E90 Rechargeable Repeller (on Amazon) is probably one of the simplest mosquito repellers out there, and this certainly isn’t a bad thing. Just insert one of their repellent cartridges, hit the button, and you’ll be mosquito free for up to 20 feet around the device. The best part about the repellent is that it is entirely scent-free, so you don’t have to worry about it ruining your outdoor time.
As advertised in the title, the Thermacell E90 features a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This battery is good for up to 9 hours of use, which will cover most outdoor relaxation times. The device itself comes with a 12-hour repellent cartridge, but you can also buy a 40-hour refill cartridge (on Amazon).
Thermacell MR450 Portable Mosquito Repeller
When it comes to the electronic mosquito repeller world, Thermacell currently reigns supreme. The Thermacell MR450 Portable Mosquito Repeller (on Amazon) is recommended for people who want the E90 but in a more portable form. It’s also worth noting that the MR450 is slightly cheaper than the E90, which may be an important factor for some buyers.
The Thermacell MR450 features a slightly smaller range of 15 feet around the device, but it’s also extremely small and portable. This makes the MR450 perfect for camping, fishing, hunting, and more.
Just like the E90, the MR450 comes with a 12-hour cartridge that you can buy refills for. It also uses the same scent-free repellent solution that the E90 uses, meaning you’ll hardly even know it’s there.
Pic Mosquito Repelling Coils
Pic Mosquito Repelling Coils (on Amazon) are for people who are trying to rid themselves of mosquitoes while on a budget. Unlike the previous two options, these coils don’t run on electricity, so you’ll need to burn them for them to start working.
Once again, these are the budget option. Whereas the Thermacell devices will run you around $30 to $50 plus replacement cartridges, Pic Mosquito Repelling Coils can be bought in packs of 10 for around $7.
The main problem with these is that burning them creates both smoke and a noticeable smell, so they’re not as invisible as the Thermacell options. However, if you’re fine with this, these coils burn for around 5 to 7 hours, and if you want to use them for a shorter amount of time, you can simply break them up and burn smaller parts of them.
If I Have A Repelling Device, Do I Still Need Bug Spray?
It really depends on what you’re doing. If you’re staying within the radius of one of the above devices, you should be fine without bug spray, but if you’re constantly moving, you may want to have a protective layer.
Even if you’re not moving, you may want to take the better safe than sorry approach and put on a layer of spray anyways.
The one condition where it’s heavily recommended that you do use bug spray is if it’s windy. As mentioned previously, these products work by dispersing mosquito repellent into the air, so if it’s windy, the repellent may fully protect you. In these situations, you should definitely keep a good bug spray (on Amazon) around.
Are Mosquito-Repelling Devices Toxic to Pets?
Both of the Thermacell devices listed above are perfectly safe for pets, but not all mosquito-repelling devices are guaranteed to be safe. The main thing you need to look out for is a chemical called DEET.
DEET is extremely common in many bug sprays and mosquito repellents. DEET has been linked with many complications in both dogs and cats such as hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, excitation, ataxia, and seizures — so definitely don’t use it around any pets.
Thankfully, since this information has come to light, many bug sprays and mosquito repellents have stopped using the chemical. However, not all of them have made the shift, so make sure to check whether yours uses DEET.
Tips for Naturally Repelling Mosquitoes
If you’re still worried about the potential of harming your pets, you may want to look into natural mosquito repellents. There are several plants that you can grow and essential oils that can keep mosquitoes away from you.
For example, marigold flowers are natural mosquito repellents. Simply plant them in your garden, and once they grow, mosquitoes will naturally be kept away.
The best part about these is that they not only keep away mosquitoes, but also other flying insects, lice, and even rabbits, making these perfect for a vegetable garden.
Lemongrass is another popular natural mosquito repellent. The oil inside the lemongrass is terrifying for mosquitoes, so simply crush the leaves to extract the oil, mix it with water, and you’ll have a nice natural bug spray. It’s also worth noting that lemongrass gives off a pleasant citrusy smell, hence the name lemongrass.
There are also some natural mosquito repellents that you can buy. For example, Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Incense Cones (on Amazon) are made using a blend of rosemary, peppermint, citronella, lemongrass, and cedarwood.
These are all examples of natural mosquito repellents. In order to use these cones, all you need to do is burn them. Each cone burns for around 24 minutes and each pack comes with 36 cones. This means you’re getting a little over 14 hours of protection for each pack you buy.
Can I Make My Own Mosquito-Repelling Device?
Yes, it is entirely possible to make your own mosquito-repelling device. There are several different essential oils that you can use to make one as well. Let’s go through a few different options.
How to Make Homemade Citronella Candles
Citronella candles are some of the most popular bug repellents out there. These candles can be purchased, but they can also be made pretty easily. In order to do this, you’ll need some cans or jars that can hold melted wax, a glue gun or tape, a double boiler, old candle wax, wicks with tabs, and some citronella oil (on Amazon).
First, secure the wicks in your jars with either the glue or tape. Then, cut your wax into small flakes and place them into your double boiler. Put your stove on medium heat and allow the wax to fully melt.
Once it’s melted, add one ounce of citronella oil and mix. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool a little, but don’t let it cool long enough to solidify. Finally, pour the mixture into each of your cans or jars and let them cool in a cold environment for at least 48 hours.
Once you’ve followed these steps, you’ll have your own homemade citronella candles that you can use anytime. Not only will they keep mosquitoes away, they’ll also give off that nice citrusy citronella smell.
The Amish Flying Insect Trap
If you’re okay with trapping mosquitoes instead of repelling them, the Amish Flying Insect Trap is supposed to be one of the most effective homemade mosquito traps.
In order to make this trap, you’ll need 1 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of sugar, 2 banana peels, 2 cups of water, and a 2-liter soda bottle. Simply mix all the ingredients except the banana peels and then pour the resulting mixture into the bottle. Now add the banana peels to the mixture.
This should give off a scent that many flying insects will be attracted by, not just mosquitoes. They will be allured by the smell and attempt to land on the mixture, but they won’t be able to stand on the liquid like they can on water, so they’ll simply sink to the bottom. It’s good to use this trap both indoors and outdoors, due to its effectiveness.
Other Tips for Keeping Mosquitos Away
If you want to keep mosquitoes away, but don’t have the money to spend, there are actually plenty of things you can do to discourage them from invading your lawn. Let’s go through a few to help protect you and your yard from mosquitoes.
Get Rid of Standing Water
First, you’ll want to get rid of any standing water in the area. Mosquitoes are naturally drawn to standing water as it is the perfect place for their larvae to grow and develop. If you have any kiddie pools or dog bowls, it’s important to drain these when they’re not in use.
If there’s a source of water you don’t want to drain, such as a bird feeder, you can buy something called a mosquito dunk (on Amazon) to make the water toxic to mosquito larvae while leaving it safe for other animals.
Avoid Wearing Dark Colors Outside
It may surprise you to learn that mosquitoes are naturally drawn to people wearing dark colors. This is because mosquitoes search for sources of heat as this leads them to their warm-blooded prey.
Dark colors are going to trap heat better than light colors, naturally leading more mosquitoes towards dark colors. This means wearing light colors can actually lead to less mosquitoes choosing you as their next meal.
Cover Arms and Legs
This one is rather simple. Mosquitoes usually bite people on their arms and legs, so simply cover your arms and legs. Next time you go outside, consider wearing long sleeves and long pants. This may be annoying to some people, but it’s a good step to take if you don’t have a mosquito trap or mosquito repellent.