Mosquitoes love me, but I fight back: Shop 10 bug repellents and after-bite fixes

• Mosquitoes are a nuisance, especially during the warmer months and back-to-school season.
• Effective mosquito repellent options include sprays and bracelets.
• After-bite remedies like Benadryl and Cortizone can provide relief.
• A variety of mosquito control products are available, from candles to bug zappers.

I don't say this lightly, but I am a mosquito's favorite meal and it is one of the worst parts about summer. If I go outside without at least two types of mosquito repellent, I am coming home with no less than 13 bites. My personal record is 52 (curse you, North Carolina!). It is a miserable way to live when the bugs come out in the warmer months. That's why I've had to find the most effective mosquito repellents and the best ways to treat any bites you might encounter.

Labor Day is around the corner, so celebrate the unofficial end of summer (and hopefully mosquito season) with a backyard BBQ. Here are my recommendations to keep the mosquitoes away from you, your kids and your home and backyard:

First, you need a repellent spray that doesn't smell awful, and my go-to is to always throw on a Cliganic mosquito repellent bracelet. But, if I do get bit, I immediately reach for the extra-strength Benadryl gel, or the Cortizone maximum strength anti-itch cream. Regardless of what TikTok may tell you, bubble machines and dryer sheets are not effective mosquito repellent tools.

10 best mosquito repellents for summer

Here's a look at my top 10 mosquito repellents and after-bite deals for summer to help keep you safe and bug-free.

1. Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Rechargeable

Thermacell E-Series Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller

Protect yourself and anyone within 20 feet of you with this rechargeable mosquito repellent for under $35! Shop now at Amazon

2. Cliganic 20-Pack Mosquito Repellent Bracelets

Cliganic 20-Pack Mosquito Repellent Bracelets

From April to October (the real summer in Texas) I don't leave my house without at least one Cliganic bracelet on, if not one on my ankle too! Shop now at Amazon

3. OFF! Backyard Citronella Scented Candle

OFF! Backyard Citronella Scented Candle

It sounds crazy, but I combine a citronella candle with my Thermacell, because I am telling you, there is not enough repellent in the world to make me feel safe outside in the summer. Shop now at Amazon

4. OFF! FamilyCare Insect & Mosquito Repellent Spritz

OFF! FamilyCare Insect and Mosquito Repellent Spritz

Another essential. I do not leave the house without dousing myself, and this is the only one my four-year-old won't cry about. Shop now at Amazon

5. Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Stickers (90-Pack)

Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Stickers

Speaking of my four-year-old, these Cliganic stickers are a great way to sneak in protection in a way that kids love. Shop now at Amazon

6. Cutter Backyard Bug Control Spray Concentrate

Cutter Backyard Bug Control Spray Concentrate

For a long-lasting backyard solution, grab this Cutter bug control spray before all the summer festivities begin (like this Memorial Day weekend). Shop now at Amazon

7. Gootop Bug Zapper Outdoor, Mosquito Zapper

Gootop Bug Zapper Outdoor, Mosquito Zapper

Another outdoor must-have, I like to put this beyond the 20-foot Thermacell barrier to get anything lurking in the shadows! Shop now at Amazon

8. Zevo Flying Insect Trap & Cartridge - Plug in Fly Trap

Zevo Flying Insect Trap and Cartridge

Between two dogs, a young child and my husband, the doors at my house are revolving and this is my backup in case any mosquito tries to torment me in the safety of my own home. Shop now at Amazon

9. Benadryl Anti-Itch Gel

Benadryl Anti-Itch Gel

If I get bit, despite all of my protections, I reach for this gel, which provides a small sort of barrier that pretty much suffocates any bite. Shop now at Amazon

10. Cortizone 10 Maximum Strength Anti-Itch Cream

Cortizone 10 Maximum Strength Anti-Itch Cream

Not all bites are created equal, and sometimes I need to reach for this anti-itch cream instead of my go-to Benadryl gel. Shop now at Amazon

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