Create an outdoor space fit for you—not mosquitoes—with these mosquito repellents for yards.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/bhg-thermacell-mosquito-patio-shield-ella-field-6-68a8c75c63b54dcd88752a0758db85b4.jpeg "The Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Patio Shield Lantern and parts on a glass table")
Better Homes & Gardens / Ella Field
Summer can be a great time to make the most of your backyard. Unfortunately, those longer days and warmer temperatures also come along with a rather familiar inconvenience: mosquitoes. Biting insects can make it difficult to enjoy spending time outdoors, especially for long periods. These mosquito repellents for yards can help protect you and your guests from mosquitoes without the need for short-term topical products.
“The first thing the repellent must do is keep mosquitoes away and ensure that the effect stays when and where you need it,” says Anas Sami, brand manager at Thermacell Repellents, Inc.
The type of mosquito repellent you use also matters. Different repellents can provide different results, with variations in duration and coverage. Because of this, it’s important to choose a mosquito repellent for yards that best fits your needs and circumstances.
What We Tested
The mosquito repellents on our list have been tested by our team. We researched various different mosquito repellents for yards and tested them on effectiveness, usability, and value. We focused on repellents intended for the yard rather than personal use alone, and we tested sprays, candles, lanterns, and more. None of the products we tested contain DEET as an active ingredient.
Best Overall: Off! 32-oz Backyard Pretreat Mosquito Control Lawn Outdoor Bug Spray
Why You Should Get It
This mosquito repellent for yards can repel around 110 species of insects for up to eight weeks.
Keep in Mind
Reapplication may be required after rain to maintain effectiveness.
After testing, we’ve chosen the Off! 32-oz Backyard Pretreat Mosquito Control Lawn Outdoor Bug Spray as the overall best mosquito repellent for yards.
This mosquito repellent can be used as a spot or perimeter treatment, and it can cover up to 16,000 square feet. One detail we appreciated was its easy, simple application. The instructions included with this repellent were easy to follow, and although it took time to learn how to get the right spray, attaching and using the lawn spray was not difficult.
When we used this mosquito repellent, the spray itself could be adjusted between a stream spray and a fan spray to provide versatile coverage. This allows it to be useful for establishing a perimeter as well as treating high-population spots such as near water. It also provides broad coverage, making it easy to apply to trees and ground plants.
When we tested it on a backyard with a pool, we noticed a significant decrease in mosquitoes, especially compared to the untreated front yard. The repellent itself has a subtle scent that didn’t linger after application.
This mosquito repellent is designed to last up to eight weeks after application. However, during testing, we noticed the presence of mosquitoes increasing after around three days after receiving large amounts of rain, so it may be necessary to respray your yard after rain.
Overall, we recommend this mosquito repellent because of its success at reducing the number of mosquitoes in the tested yard. We also liked its ease of use and broad coverage in a large yard.
Product Details: Active Ingredient: Lambda-cyhalothrin | Type: Spray | Hours of Protection: 1,344 | Square Footage of Protection: 16,000 square feet
Key Terms to Know
- DEET: The common name for N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, a chemical commonly used as an active ingredient in insect repellents. Instead of killing biting insects, DEET works by making it more difficult for insects to smell people.
- Lambda-cyhalothrin: A common active ingredient in mosquito repellents. It’s similar to compounds found in chrysanthemum flowers.
- Geraniol: A colorless oil that is the primary component of citronella oil.
- Synthetic allethrin: An active ingredient in mosquito repellents that is similar to chemicals found in chrysanthemum flowers.
Best Budget: Cutter Backyard Bug Control Spray Concentrate
Why You Should Get It
This repellent can last up to 12 weeks without reapplication, repelling insects and arachnids.
Keep in Mind
Because this is a repellent and not an insecticide, some mosquitoes may still be present, although the number is reduced.
The Cutter Concentrate Backyard Bug Control Spray is designed to keep mosquitoes and other insects or arachnids away for up to 12 weeks.
When using a spray mosquito repellent for yards, reapplication is typically necessary after rain. This is because any form of water, whether from rain or watering your lawn, has the potential to wash away the repellent. However, one month after application on the tested yard, the effects of the Cutter mosquito repellent were still noticeable.
In the tested yard, the Cutter spray worked effectively as a repellent. Although there was still an occasional mosquito noted, there was a significant drop in the amount of mosquitoes in the yard. This mosquito repellent does best when applied early in the season, before insect populations are high.
This mosquito repellent can provide up to 5,000 square feet of lawn coverage. To apply, we simply attached the bottle to the hose and sprayed across the yard. The bottle is designed to automatically apply the concentrate as you spray. Applying the Cutter spray to the tested yard took around 15 minutes.
During application, this mosquito repellent had a slight odor. However, the scent itself was not unpleasant, and while it was noticeable during application, it faded quickly and left no lingering odors.
Product Details: Active Ingredient: Lambda-cyhalothrin | Type: Spray | Hours of Protection: 2,016 | Square Footage of Protection: 5,000 square feet
Best for Large Yards: Wondercide Mosquito Yard-Spray Refill Starter Kit with Natural Essential Oils
Why You Should Get It
This plant-based repellent includes a refill alongside its ready-to-use spray.
Keep in Mind
You’ll need a long garden hose to completely cover your yard.
We found that the Wondercide Starter Kit was easy to use and had lasting effects in the tested yard. While applying the repellent, we noticed a typical amount of mosquitoes. However, after application, we noticed a significant decrease in the number of mosquitoes.
This mosquito repellent uses a plant-based formula that includes oils like cedarwood and sesame. It had a sweet, natural scent that dissipated after the spray settled.
The instructions for the Wondercide repellent say to spray the entire yard. However, one of our testers’ ability to do so was limited by their garden hose length. This yard spray works by attaching to the hose, allowing water to flow through the bottle and spray the solution across the yard.
However, for larger yards, a longer hose is necessary to reach the far corners of the yard. Even with that in mind, though, this mosquito repellent is recommended for its square footage of protection and effectiveness.
Product Details: Active Ingredient: Cedarwood oil, sesame oil, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate | Type: Spray | Hours of Protection: 730 | Square Footage of Protection: 15,000 square feet
Best Candle: Murphy’s Naturals Murphy’s Mosquito Candle
Why You Should Get It
The candles are easier to use than a spray.
Keep in Mind
This candle provides limited coverage, with several candles being needed to protect larger areas.
After testing, we’ve chosen the Murphy’s Natural Mosquito Repellent Candle as the best candle mosquito repellent for yards. We appreciated how using this repellent was as simple as lighting the candle. This set includes two candles, which can provide up to 30 hours of protection.
When lit, the candle provided a light, natural scent without any overpowering or harsh smells. We used both candles to cover an 80-square-foot backyard deck, and they provided an adequate zone of protection, though more candles may be needed to increase the square footage of protection.
The Murphy’s mosquito repellent candles use a blend of various essential oils. The wax itself is made of soy wax and beeswax, helping provide an even burn for multiple uses. Although we found the candles to be mostly effective, some mosquitoes and bites were still noticed during testing. However, the number of bites was greatly reduced compared to time outdoors without the candles in use.
Overall, this mosquito repellent is recommended because of its convenience. Unlike yard sprays, which will need to be applied in advance and maintained, these candles provide an impromptu method of reducing mosquitoes in a small area.
Product Details: Active Ingredient: Rosemary oil, peppermint oil, lemongrass oil, cedarwood oil, citronella oil | Type: Candle | Hours of Protection: 30
Best for Patios: Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Patio Shield Lantern
Why You Should Get It
This repellent lantern is quick and easy to set up, with around 15 minutes of run-time for maximum protection.
Keep in Mind
This lantern uses heat to distribute the repellent, and you’ll have to purchase addition cartridges when they run out.
Shield repellents, like the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Patio Shield, can provide an easy, mess-free approach to backyard pest control. Although it needs a 15-minute start-up period to reach maximum protection, we thoroughly appreciated its ability to keep mosquitoes at bay in an area with a high mosquito population.
During testing, this mosquito repellent didn’t produce any noticeable scent. It does, however, use heat to disperse the repellent solution into the air. Because of this, those with children or pets may need to pay a closer eye to the Thermacell Patio Shield, as the lantern itself can get hot.
No mosquitoes were noticed in the zone of protection provided by this mosquito repellent during testing, nor did we experience any bites. Although it only provides around 177 square feet of protection, this was enough to repel mosquitoes for a small backyard or porch.
The Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Patio Shield is designed to provide around 12 hours of protection. After this, the energy cartridges can be replaced for continued use in the future.
Product Details: Active Ingredient: Synthetic allethrin | Type: Lantern | Hours of Protection: 12 | Square Footage of Protection: 177 square feet
The Bottom Line
After testing, we chose the Off! Backyard Pretreat Mosquito Control Bug Spray as the overall best mosquito repellent for yards. This repellent was easy to use and had little to no scent, and it was effective at reducing the number of mosquitoes.
Our Testing Process
To find the best mosquito repellent for yards, we tested 12 different repellents. Then, with our results, we analyzed our insights to determine which mosquito repellent performed the best.
During our testing, we first evaluated each repellent on its effectiveness. We wanted to know not just how well it reduced bug bites, but how well each repellent kept mosquitoes out of the area. Part of our testing process also revolved around how long each repellent lasted and how large of an area it covered.
Then, we tested usability. Ease of use and easy-to-understand instructions are essential in making sure each of these repellents is used in the correct way. We also noted different factors such as how many uses we could get out of each repellent, as well as any scents or odors that may have occurred during or after application.
Because these products are repellents and not insecticides, they were not tested on whether or not they completely eradicated mosquitoes, but rather, if they were effective at reducing their presence.
Better Homes & Gardens / William Hawks
What to Know About Mosquito Repellent for Yards
Active Ingredient
Yard mosquito repellents can contain either natural or synthetic ingredients. According to Dr. Rebecca Heinig, senior scientist for the entomology programs at Thermacell Repellents, Inc., some of the most frequently used natural formulas include “ingredients like citronella oil, cedarwood oil, or even garlic oil”. These oils can help mask your scent as well as irritate mosquitoes on contact.
Synthetic repellents use pyrethroids, which are man-made chemicals that resemble those found in chrysanthemum flowers. Synthetic sprays use “pyrethroids like permethrin, tetramethrin, phenothrin, or lambda-cyhalothrin”, says Dr. Heining.
Type
There are several types of mosquito repellent for yards, including sprays, candles, and shields. Although all have the goal of repelling mosquitoes, each type performs in a different way and may be better for certain situations.
Yard sprays, like the Mighty Mint Yard Spray Bug Control, are a passive form of protection. After the initial application, they will repel mosquitoes in the area until it is time for reapplication. These repellents are sprayed around your yard and often include synthetic or natural chemicals that make it difficult for insects to smell people.
Other types of repellents, such as lanterns, candles, and shields, are active forms of protection. These yard repellents only work when they are activated, such as when a candle is ignited or a lamp is turned on. As a result, there is no need for reapplication, but the effects of these repellents are not ongoing.
Because of this, you often need to activate these repellents for around 15 minutes or more before you plan to be outside to achieve maximum efficiency, such as with the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Patio Shield. However, this allows greater control of how the repellent works. Many of these options are also portable, allowing you to tailor your repellent to where you are in the yard without needing to spray in advance.
Hours of Protection
There are several factors that influence the hours of protection provided by a mosquito repellent for yards. Some of these include the type of repellent and the active ingredient.
Overall, yard sprays have the longest potential protection compared to candles and lanterns. This is because the protection provided by sprays goes beyond the initial application, lasting for several weeks.
The Cutter 32 fl. oz. Concentrate Backyard Bug Control Spray is designed to last up to 12 weeks without reapplication, and, during testing, we noticed the effects of this spray a month later, even after rain.
Repellents such as candles, burning cones, and lanterns tend only to repel mosquitoes when they are activated, and it can take some time for the effects to become noticeable.
Square Footage of Protection
Some mosquito repellents are better for smaller spaces compared to large lawns. The Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Candle, for example, is better suited for repelling mosquitoes from a deck or patio rather than an entire yard.
For protecting your entire yard, a product with higher square footage of protection is often better. The Off! 32-oz Backyard Pretreat Mosquito Control Lawn Outdoor Bug Spray is capable of covering up to 16,000 square feet.
Better Homes & Gardens / Andrea Tenborg
Other Mosquito Repellents for Yards We Tested
Sunday Mosquito Deleto
The Sunday Mosquito Deleto is an all-natural yard solution for mosquitoes that is safe for pets and people alike. Infused with lemongrass and cedar oils, we liked that it had a faint, pleasant scent during application that faded quickly. We also appreciated the far-reaching, even spray it produced.
However, during testing, we found that this mosquito repellent for yards had limited effectiveness, with mosquitoes returning quickly after the initial application. When used, the Sunday Mosquito Deleto helped reduce the number of mosquitoes in the tested yard for around three days, but other sprays we tested lasted longer.
Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Incense Cones
The Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Incense Cones provide an all-natural solution to repelling mosquitoes. Its five-oil formula utilizes rosemary oil, peppermint oil, citronella oil, lemongrass oil, and cedarwood oil. This produces a pleasant scent during burning while also helping repel insects.
Although these cones can burn up to 24 minutes each, wind can speed up the burn rate and decrease this time. During testing, we found most cones lasted between 15 to 21 minutes on average. While the duration is limited, these cones were effective in repelling mosquitoes while producing smoke.
Tiki Brand Bitefighter Outdoor Mosquito Repellent String Lights
The Tiki Brand Bitefighter Outdoor Mosquito Repellent String Lights are multipurpose, serving to both repel mosquitoes and also light up your outdoor space. Installation is similar to non-repellent string lights, with access to an outlet required. While the lights were fairly effective, we felt like they weren’t the most cost-effective solution.
Better Homes & Gardens / Ella Field
Your Questions, Answered
Why isn’t DEET a main ingredient in mosquito repellents for yards?
According to Dr. Sonja L Swiger, a professor in the Texas A&M University Department of Entomology, repellents like DEET are “chemicals/substances that have to be applied to skin, clothing or surfaces”. As a result, DEET is most often seen in personal products, such as sprays.
Research and testing has shown DEET-containing products to be effective at repelling mosquitoes. “Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and 2-undecanone are the currently CDC approved EPA registered products found to be effective,” says Dr. Swiger. “But that does not mean they can be applied to yards or spaces to get the same results”
These chemicals work solely to mask your scent, making it more difficult for mosquitoes and certain biting insects to find you. Because of this, Dr. Swiger says there’s “not much evidence showing that we can get repellency by spraying foliage.”
Do essential oils repel mosquitoes?
In recent years, essential oils have become a popular DEET alternative. However, “since they have not been approved for use by CDC, we do not recommend them at this time”, says Dr. Swiger. Receiving CDC approval is an extensive process for a product, with research conducted to ensure “it [the product] works to kill or repel biting mosquitoes”.
While essential oils are currently not recommended as a mosquito repellent for yards, research is still being done on their effectiveness. Keep in mind that essential oils may be toxic to pets, so check with your vet before using a product with them.
Who We Are
Megan Newton is a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She has also written about bird feeders, garden tools, grass seeds, and more. For this article, she spent several hours analyzing the results from our mosquito repellent testing. She also spoke with Anas Sami, brand manager at Thermacell Repellents, Inc; Dr. Rebecca Heinig, senior scientist of entomology programs at Thermacell Repellents, Inc; and Dr. Sonja L Swiger, Texas A&M University department of entomology professor.
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they’re worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn’t an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
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