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What Is The Best Mosquito Repellent For Porch & Patios? (2023)

Summer and humid weather bring out the best of nature and the worst kinds of insects like mosquitoes. The hot temperature that develops the sweetest fruits also speeds up the lifecycle of mosquitoes.

Before a mosquito problem becomes worse, mosquito repellents for porch use are essentials that you should consider adding to your priorities, especially if you have kids.     

Aside from the itchy bites, mosquitoes are carriers of several deadly diseases from malaria to dengue fever.

So, it’s better to take caution by preparing your home for their invasion during summer. They love to congregate in undisturbed corners of our home and breed in moist and dark areas, such as:

  • Standing water.
  • Cluttered corners.
  • Clogged gutters.
  • Clogged drainage systems.
  • Tall grass. 

To protect your family from the disease-carrying mosquitoes, you can either use repellents on your skin, or clothes or designate an area for setting up mosquito repellent gadgets.

Mosquito repellent often contains pyrethroid insecticide and allethrin that either kill or repel mosquitoes. 

In this post, we listed some of the best mosquito repellents for porch and best practices to get rid of their breeding ground around your house. 

(You could use the table of contents below to jump to the sections that are most important to you.)

Table Of Contents


Best Mosquito Repellents For a Bite-Free Summer – [Top Picks in 2023]

Typically, people would wear insect repellent lotions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Today, you can secure your space using a barrier that repels or kills mosquitoes.

Check out these types of mosquito repellents and decide which will work best for your home:

Heat-activated Mosquito Repellers 

The new technology of mosquito repellents is now using heat technology to release synthetic pyrethroids in given perimeter coverage. These gadgets require a power source and pesticide-infused mats to function.

The heat from the gadget will activate the insecticidal properties in the mat which does not emit smoke, scent, and any dust. 

Check out the best heat-activated mosquito repellent for the porch that can help you prepare for summer outdoors:

Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller

Thermacell Patio Shield Mosquito Repeller

Thermacell is probably the best mosquito repellent for porch and patio because of its 15-foot protection range and 12-hour refill cycle.

It is not plugged in and can be placed anywhere on the porch without any hassle. At the same time, it does not emit any smoke or leave any traces of dust, unlike traditional mosquito repellents. 

Using the mats infused with allethrins, you can use Thermacell Patio Shield conveniently anywhere and it makes a great companion to bring in:

  • Pool areas.
  • Camping sites. 
  • Decks.
  • Near water gardens.
  • Pagoda. 
  • Areas surrounded by standing water.   

If you can’t tolerate the smoke and dust caused by mosquito coils, chemicals on your skin, or the strong DEET scent, Thermacell is a worthwhile investment.

You’ll only need to purchase the mats and the fuel cartridge and you’re good to go anywhere without worrying about mosquito bites. 

Other Thermacell mosquito repellents are as follows:

Fluid Repellent Pods

Fluid repellent pods review

Fluid repellents are another mess-free mosquito control to try this summer. They use electricity to diffuse the pyrethrin solution into the air and repel mosquitoes within the close perimeter. Unlike fuel-powered thermal repellents, it requires a socket where you can plug it in. 

What makes fluid repellants stand out is it often last longer and take days before it needs a refill. It is also convenient and requires lower energy consumption that bug zappers.

Here’s the most aesthetic device that merges both outdoor lighting and mosquito repellent in one.

TIKI Brand 36 FT Mosquito Repellent BiteFighter Outdoor LED String Lights

LED string lights with mosquito repellent

Talk about functionality, TIKI’s Mosquito Repellent LED String Lights solve two problems in one solution.

It provides a pleasant ambient light outdoors as well as mosquito protection that can cover up 30 feet. By the way, its light hangs on an outdoor space, you would highly doubt there’s a repellent hanging along the lights. 

If you’re looking for the best mosquito repellent for the porch that can aesthetically camouflage in the background, TIKI’s BiteFighter String Lights is worth a try.

The only catch is it only contains one switch for everything making it hard to use during the day. However, you can buy a separate plug for the lights so you can turn on the fluid repellants in the afternoon when it’s humid and muggy.

Ultrasonic Mosquito Repellants

Ultrasonic mosquito repellent

Many people are doubting the efficacy of ultrasonic repellants due to their mixed reviews and lack of enough scientific evidence. However, some homeowners find it effective in getting rid of unwanted visitors like mosquitoes. 

Ultrasonic repellants use high-frequency but short wavelength sound waves that is said to trigger an audiogenic seizure response in specific pests like mice, squirrel, and insects like mosquitoes. It’s like the static sound in the movie Don’t Breathe which paralyzes the monsters and eventually keeps them away. 

Ultrasonic mosquito repellants are available in both corded and cordless forms. They are as big as a baby monitor and often placed in areas where critters stay and annoy homeowners.

Check the most recommended ultrasonic mosquito repellent for the porch and patio below:

Bectine Ultrasonic Pest Repeller 6 Packs 

Bectine Ultrasonic Pest Repeller 6 Packs

This brand of ultrasonic pest repeller helps protect your home within (860 to 1291 sq. ft. It consumes less energy and does not use any chemicals to repel insects.

At the same time, it has no smell, no mess, and is safe to use around kids and pets. 

Each ultrasonic device comes with a light that can also serve as a night light. Though it emits sound waves, it does not have any sounds that humans can hear. The soundwaves are particularly audible to insects and animals who have a sharper sense of hearing. 

During summer, place these ultrasonic devices around your porch to keep the pests at bay.

In most cases, the pests will immediately decrease in a specific area. However, some people notice that the pest gradually retreats from entering the house within weeks.


Mosquito Repellents You Can Wear or Use 

Aside from creating a safe space for your family, never give sneaky mosquitoes a chance by using the following wearable and usable mosquito repellents:

ZAP iT! Bug Zapper Rechargeable Bug Zapper Racket

ZAP iT! Bug Zapper Rechargeable Bug Zapper Racket

Probably one of the most stress-relieving ways to kill mosquitoes is to kill them yourself using a handy dandy bug zapper.

It is an ideal alternative tool if you don’t like the idea of using chemicals and pesticides around your home. It also doesn’t require too much maintenance and perfectly fits its plug-and-play description.

Lastly, who doesn’t love that cracking sound of doom for these disease-carrying insects?

Rescue! Mosquito GoClip Repellent

Rescue! Mosquito GoClip Repellent

If you don’t want to use natural mosquito repellents as much as possible, Rescue’s GoClip Repellent uses a blend of essential oils that mosquitoes hate. It contains:

  • Clove oil.
  • Lemongrass oil.
  • Peppermint oil.
  • Cinnamon oil.

This clip-on mosquito repellent is DEET free, does not contain chemicals, and is safe for kids. People who tried to explore outdoors in the heat of summer never went back to chemical-infused mosquito repellents again after using this clip.

PARA’KITO Wristband

PARA'KITO Wristband
PARA’KITO Wristband

Essential oil-infused wristbands like PARA ‘KITO are also another way to protect your body against mosquitoes.

The wristband contains a small pocket that contains citronella pellets that masks your scent and discourage any nearby mosquitoes. The pellets can last for 15 days and can be re-filled with a new set of pellets for continued protection.


Tips in Keeping Mosquito-free Outdoor Spaces

Pest control is probably one of the toughest parts of maintaining a household. In our pursuit to make our homes free from any unwanted insects, we use an arsenal of natural and chemical pest control methods.

However, what we often forget is to get rid of areas susceptible as the breeding ground of these insects. 

Here are some tips to maintain a mosquito-free home this coming summer season:

(1) Check and fix your waterlogged gutters and moisture-damaged sidings. These home features will not only be a home to mosquitoes but also to damaging insects like sweat and carpenter bees

(2) Clean and fix clogged drainage holes in your garden as well as the muddy parts of your lawn. It also helps to get rid of puddles and standing water on your lawn by covering up mud in your yard.

(3) Water features are often the best breeding grounds for mosquitoes. So, most homeowners add some fish like koi in the water to feed on their larvae and control the mosquito population. 

(4) Dark areas often harbor and attract mosquitoes. They love dark places because the sun doesn’t dry up the moisture which gives them an adequate place to breed and lay their eggs. With that, allow the sunlight to shine on the dark corners of your yard by trimming the trees and pruning the shrubs. 

(5) Lastly, mosquitoes love to hide in tall grasses. Regularly mow your lawn and use a grass catcher to collect the debris and prevent it from creating puddles in the ground. 

(6) Turn around any material that can serve as a catch basin for rainwater like:

  • Tarps.
  • Wheelbarrow.
  • Unused tires.
  • Garbage bins without lids.
  • Unused toys.

(7) Replace the water in bird baths every week.

(8) Repair or replace leaking spigot and other plumbing issues. 

(9) Install window screens on your front porch if you live in areas filled with trees.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do mosquito zappers work?

Mosquito zappers use UV light and electrocution to kill bugs. The light attracts the bugs until they touch the screens and get electrocuted.

Though it can certainly kill bugs, the ratio of lured mosquitoes is low. 

According to the analysis of Dr. Douglas Tallamy from the University of Delaware, bug-zappers kill tons of insects each year but most of them are hardly mosquitoes.

These devices are even detrimental to the local ecosystem because it kills even the beneficial insects that help in pollinating plants.

What is the best homemade mosquito repellent?

The best homemade mosquito repellent contains essential oils like eucalyptus and lavender. These have aromatic scents for humans but are pungent to insects.

Here’s how to make your own mosquito repellent using essential oils:

Lavender

  1. Plant lavender plants in areas with the most mosquitoes. 
  2. Pick some of the flowers and crush them and mix with olive oil. Apply it on your skin or wipe the solution on your porch to keep mosquitoes off. 

Thyme oil

  1. Mix 5 drops of thyme essential oil with every 2 ounces of water.
  2. Transfer the solution to a spray bottle and use it on surfaces in areas plagued by mosquitoes.

Do mosquito repellent plants work?

The scent of mosquito-repelling plants can mask the smell of our sweat and breathe and drive mosquitoes away. However, their scent is not enough and the oils must be extracted from the leaves to completely mask our smell against mosquitoes.

What mosquito repellent is safe for babies?

According to Nemours Kid’s Health, mosquito repellents that contain DEET are safe for use on babies as long as:

  • The kids are 2 months and older.
  • It is applied once per day.
  • Not applied on the face, hands, near the mouth, and irritated skin of the baby.
  • Not more than 30% concentrations. 

Make sure to wash your baby’s skin as soon as you arrive home to remove the residue of repellent on their skin. 

What attracts mosquitoes to humans?

Mosquitoes are attracted to our smell, sweat, and the carbon dioxide that we exhale, even stinky feet. They can detect our breath from a distance of 150 feet.

Final Thoughts

Mosquitoes are small but dangerous insects to deal with. They carry deadly diseases that can put your family at risk.

As the warm weather comes close, preparing your home is probably the best prevention you can do to keep everyone safe and still enjoy some activities outdoors. 

Which mosquito repellent do you plan to invest in for your home this month? 

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and please don’t forget to share this post with your friends who are mosquito-magnets during the warm season.

About Jeanne Keith F.

Jeanne Felipe is a content creator of anything that can make this world a better place. She is a self-improvement junkie and a nature lover at heart. She loves to help people through her writing, either finding the right tools or doing the right thing to accomplish their goals. Quotes, sprouting plants, and cute dogs make her feel ecstatic. In her free time, she loves tending her garden and cooking Chinese and Mexican dishes. Connect her on Linkedin.

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