The mosquito repellents that work are EPA-registered products with active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, applied to skin as the label directs. Citronella candles, repellent wristbands and most unregistered “natural” sprays give little or no reliable protection. Saela Pest Control, a residential and commercial pest control company in Orem, Utah, treats properties for mosquitoes, and the two approaches work together: repellent protects you wherever you go, while outdoor mosquito control reduces the mosquitoes resting around your home.
According to the CDC’s mosquito bite prevention guidance, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective when used as directed, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The CDC lists six active ingredients to look for: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD) and 2-undecanone. It also notes that the effectiveness of non-registered repellents, including some natural ones, is unknown. Below is what the evidence says about popular options that don’t work and the ones that do.
Mosquito Repellent That Doesn’t Work
Citronella Candles
Citronella candles and torches don’t keep mosquitoes from biting. In a 2017 New Mexico State University study published in the Journal of Insect Science, a person sitting next to a citronella candle attracted slightly more mosquitoes than a person alone, although the difference was not statistically significant. A candle on the table does not create a protected zone around a patio or deck. Use a registered skin repellent instead, and reduce the standing water that lets mosquitoes breed nearby.
Wristbands
Repellent wristbands and bracelets don’t provide meaningful protection. The same New Mexico State study found that none of the bracelets tested caused any significant reduction in mosquito attraction, and the researchers suggested they release too little active ingredient to work. A band on one wrist is no substitute for repellent applied to all exposed skin.
Most Unregistered “Natural” Sprays
Many sprays sold as “natural” or “organic” are not EPA-registered, so their effectiveness against mosquitoes has not been shown to the EPA. The CDC states that the effectiveness of non-registered repellents, including some natural repellents, is unknown. Plant-based ingredients are not automatically ineffective: OLE and the plant-derived PMD are registered active ingredients. If a product doesn’t carry an EPA registration number, treat its protection claims with caution.
Mosquito Repellent That Does Work
DEET
DEET is a long-established skin repellent and remains a reliable choice. It was developed by the US Army in 1946 and registered for public use in 1957, and the EPA’s DEET review concludes that normal use does not present a health concern to the general population, including children. In the New Mexico State study, spray-on repellents containing DEET had the highest efficacy of the products tested. Follow the label for how much to apply and how often to reapply.
Picaridin
Picaridin is a synthetic repellent and one of the six active ingredients the CDC recommends. It is known as icaridin or KBR 3023 outside the United States, so check the ingredient list when you buy repellent abroad. As with any repellent, apply it only to exposed skin, never on skin under clothing, and reapply as the label directs.
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE)
Oil of lemon eucalyptus is a plant-based active ingredient that is registered with the EPA as a mosquito repellent. In the New Mexico State study, products containing it performed comparably to DEET sprays. The CDC warns not to use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old. Look for OLE listed as the active ingredient on an EPA-registered product, since unregistered lemon eucalyptus essential oils have not been evaluated the same way.
To compare products by active ingredient, target pest and protection time, use the EPA’s repellent search tool, which lists only registered skin-applied repellents. If you use sunscreen, the CDC advises applying sunscreen first and repellent second. If you do get bitten, here is how to care for mosquito bites.
Repellent protects you, but it does nothing about the mosquitoes resting in your yard. Saela’s mosquito control uses mist treatments aimed at resting sites such as shaded foliage and areas beneath porches, and its guidance includes reducing standing water around the property. In a February 2024 Google review, Melanie Farris wrote, “Our technician Trey is very kind and professional!” If mosquitoes are keeping you off your patio, book a call about mosquito control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do mosquito yard treatments replace repellent?
No. Yard treatments reduce the number of mosquitoes resting and breeding around your home, while repellent protects your skin anywhere you go, including parks, trails and campsites. Using both, and emptying containers that hold water, gives the most practical protection; see what attracts mosquitoes to your yard for the conditions to fix.
How much does professional mosquito control cost?
The cost depends on your location, property size, visit frequency and the products used, so Saela quotes each property rather than publishing one price. You can see how plans are structured on Saela’s pricing page. Saela’s Altamonte Springs, Florida location is rated 4.9 out of 5 from 341 Google reviews as of October 2026.
Who wrote this article?
Devin Hutchings (Marketing Director at Saela Pest Control) wrote this article.
Devin leads Saela’s marketing and growth strategy. He brings more than 15 years of marketing experience across Uber, C.R. England, Lugg, and Neighbor. His background spans customer acquisition, retention, and developing marketing channels for service businesses and consumer marketplaces.
