If you’re wondering what really gets the BA staff work chat popping off, it’s asking everyone what the best mosquito repellents are. We love to eat, and when it’s summer, we love to eat outdoors. While CDC buzzwords like Zika virus and West Nile virus haven’t graced our headlines in a long while, we all know too well how easily a swarm of biting flies or mosquitos can ruin the vibe of any outdoor gathering.
In our collective pursuit of enjoying the great outdoors to our hearts’ content, we’ve discovered myriad methods for bug and mosquito control—both outdoors and indoors. And we’re not just talking about dousing yourself in a perfume of Deet or Picaridin. This is how the Bon Appétit staff arms themselves against the great outdoors.
Lotions, balms, and sprays
Itch relief for irritated skin
Ever since I was a kid, I was always the one mosquitoes attacked first. It’s a small price to pay that I readily accept in exchange for long summer days (and occasionally having ice cream for breakfast). Over the years I’ve tried all manner of pre-bite repellents and post-bite balms. These After Bite roll-ons are small enough to carry around; keep one in the fridge for an extra cool respite after your next golden hour hang. (There is also one for kids or anyone with sensitive skin.) —Hana Asbrink, deputy food editor (this originally appeared in Bon Appétit’s “Feel Good Food Plan”)
A balm to repel mosquitoes
Whenever I prepare for an outdoor event, whether it’s a backyard BBQ or a day hike, I always pack Murphy’s Balm in my bag. This compact tin is perfect for on-the-go use—just a dab of the balm on your finger can be rubbed onto any exposed skin. The soothing formula includes natural ingredients like beeswax, castor oil, olive oil, peppermint, rosemary, and cedarwood. Unlike typical bug sprays, it leaves you smelling fresh and natural without any harsh chemical odors. Pretty convenient if you ask me! —Julia Duarte, designer
A DEET-free spray that smells good
As the BA commerce team’s resident outdoorsy person, I am constantly balancing my desire to cook and eat outside with my desire not to be eaten alive by mosquitos. I’ve tried just about every DEET-free mosquito repellant spray there is, and Grand Tongo is one of the best mosquito repellents I’ve tried. That’s because it contains Picaridin—a powerful DEET alternative. It dries almost instantly, leaves no sticky residue, and comes in scents you’ll actually want to wear, like Citrus & Sandalwood and Green Tea & Mint. —Carina Finn, commerce editor
Torches, candles, and lanterns
A fan
Yes, a simple but powerful fan is the only natural insect repellent you need to keep mosquitoes away from your skin while eating and drinking outside. While a 2003 study found there’s more to it than the fact that mosquitoes can’t fly into the strong breeze created by a fan, I am living, breathing, bite-free proof that it works. And in addition to keeping mosquitoes off of your body, setting up a fan outside has the added benefits of keeping you cool and keeping flies off of your food. It’s really a win-win-win. Well, for everybody but the mosquitoes—and that’s just fine with me. —Emily Farris, senior commerce writer (this originally appeared in a review for Epicurious)
Torches
You’ve heard of citronella candles—now meet the torches. These citronella torches are the ultimate outdoor party accessories, combining functionality with aesthetics. They not only provide hours of protection against mosquito bites and other unwanted guests, they also enhance your outdoor decor game. Perfect for larger spaces, you can spread them across your backyard so you won’t have to worry about any bugs trying to crash the party. —J.D.
Incense sticks
Murphy’s Naturals makes some of the best nontoxic insect repellents around, and I’m particularly fond of the incense sticks—especially for camping trips. They don’t take up a lot of space, last for over 2 hours each, and have a pleasantly herby, woody scent that’s not so far off from actual incense I’d burn in my house. While they don’t keep my campsite (or outdoor dining table) totally bug-free, they do make a significant impact. —C.F.
Rechargeable mosquito repellent device
I love eating outdoors in theory. It just sounds so nice: a backyard resplendent with blooming flowers, the gently smoky scent of the grill in the air, big pitchers of lemonade and platters of salads and sweets. Unfortunately, reality includes bugs (and for me, a public park instead of a suburban lawn). So I’m left swatting pests away from the fruit salad and slapping mosquitos seconds after they’ve already sunk their suckers into my ankles. Constantly dousing myself in sticky, smelly bug spray kind of ruins the mood, but I’ve found my solution: The Thermacell E90 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller does the trick with the least amount of fuss. It’s easy to charge and reload, and once you turn it on, you forget it’s there. It comes with a 12-hour repellent cartridge, but they also sell 40-hour cartridges if you want to pay a bit more to swap them out less. Thermacell claims the repellent spray emitted by the machine provides a “20-foot zone of protection,” and I believe it. Setting one out on a picnic table left everyone comfortably bite-free after dinner and dessert. —Kelsey Jane Youngman, senior service editor
NOTE: While Thermacell products and the chemicals they release are safe around food, the manufacturer advises against running its products right next to any uncovered food.
Mosquito zapper lantern
If all else fails, a bug zapper can save the day. A few years ago I bought one to tackle a fly problem in my apartment after my roommates and I had exhausted nearly every other option. Once we resorted to the zapper, we never looked back. It’s highly effective for both indoor and outdoor spaces, quickly eliminating a large number of bugs in a short time. —J.D.
