There are lots of wonderful things about camping – but dealing with mosquitoes isn’t one of them!
If you need some recommendations for the best mosquito repellent device for camping we share those with you below.
Swarms of bugs around your campsite can be annoying – keeping you awake at night by buzzing around you and biting.
Worse still, they can transmit viruses.
There have been reports within the US of West Nile virus, Chikungunya, Zika, and dengue fever, all of which are transmitted by mosquitoes.
West Nile virus is the one most commonly reported and can sometimes cause serious illness.
So protecting yourself and your family from mosquitoes when camping is paramount. But what is the best way to do it?
Well, personal protection is important and there are lots of good tropical mosquito repellents available. These are the type that you apply to the skin to prevent bites.
But there are several effective ways to prevent mosquitoes from plaguing your campsite in the first place. One of the best methods is to use a portable mosquito repellent device.
In this guide to choosing the best mosquito repellent device for camping, I have listed four of my favorite products.
Each of these effectively helps keep the area in which you are camping as free from mosquitoes as possible.
This dramatically reduces your chances of being bitten and protects you and your group from harm.
Thermacell Portable Mosquito Repeller
This remarkable and popular device does a wonderful job of protecting your campsite and everyone in it from mosquitoes.
This Thermacell Portable Device works by using heat-activated mats to create a zone of protection that you can neither see nor smell.
There is absolutely no spraying involved and the device is DEET-free.
It is very simple to use. You just insert a new mat into the unit when needed (the mats turn white when they are no longer effective, so you know when to replace them).
You then insert the fuel, which just twists into place. Pressing the start button a few times will turn the unit on – you can actually confirm that it is working correctly by looking for the orange glow in the viewing window.
After 15 minutes the 15ft (4.5m) zone of protection is established. There is no strong scent, no smoke, no citronella… just silent and effective protection.
The fuel cartridge lasts for 12 hours and the mats last for up to 4 hours each (3 are included with the device, with refills readily available).
EPA is evaluated for safety and effectiveness, it uses an active ingredient based on the naturally occurring repellents that plants use.
Available in several styles and with different accessories available, this is the best mosquito repellent machine if you are looking for a convenient, mess-free solution.
Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Lantern
It comes as no surprise that the best mosquito repellent lantern comes from a company with one of the most well-known names in the business!
With an attractive, classic look, this effective Thermacell lantern weighs less than a pound, so it won’t add too much weight to your gear.
Yet it provides a 15 ft (4.5 m) zone of protection around your campsite, deterring mosquitoes from coming near.
Unlike some lanterns, it doesn’t have any cords. Instead, the repellent is powered by a 12-hour fuel cartridge. Refills are available for 12-300 hours.
The LED light is an added bonus with this lantern. It avoids the hassle (and extra weight) of carrying a separate lantern in your gear.
The lantern has been reviewed by the EPA for effectiveness and safety and is the perfect solution if you want a device that repels bugs without using DEET or sprays.
BroElec Bug Zapper Camping Lamp
A 2-in-1 mosquito killer and camping light is the perfect space-saving solution and this is another great example.
BroElec Bug Zapper features an effective bug zapper that uses a 4 x 360 ~400nm ultraviolet light to attract mosquitoes. It then kills them using the high-voltage power grid.
There are no chemicals involved at all, no scent, and no noise. What’s more, this handy little lamp is easy to clean using just tap water and the brush provided.
You have a choice of where you can place the unit for the most effective protection. You can put it on a tabletop, where it can also be used as a light source, or use the sturdy retractable hook to hang it in your tent.
There are three different levels of brightness available – from 30 to 180 lumens, with the light modes being controlled easily by a separate switch. If you prefer, you can use just the bug zapper without using the light at all.
The unit is small, lightweight, and can be fully charged in 2 to 3 hours from a variety of sources, including a car charger, computer, or power bank.
The 2200mAh USB rechargeable battery will provide up to 24 hours of lighting time, although the exact time will depend on the mode you use.
Thermacell Backpacker Mosquito Repeller
This is the best mosquito repellent device for camping and backpacking if you are trying to keep the weight of your gear to a minimum.
This Thermacell backpacker device weighs just 4 ounces yet is capable of providing a full 15ft (4.5 m) of protection.
This device is heat-activated, without the use of cords or batteries. Instead, you power it using your camping fuel canister (note that a canister is not included).
It repels mosquitoes without any strong scents or bothersome smoke, instead, it uses repellent mats that each last for up to four hours until they need changing.
The unit is very easy to refill and offers an impressive 360 hours of runtime on a 16 oz (0.5 L) fuel canister!
This is a DEET-free solution with an active ingredient based upon the natural mosquito repellent used by plants.
Safe and efficient, it is extremely compact in size. And should you wish to protect a larger area, it is easy to bring along multiple units!
Final Thoughts On Portable Mosquito Repellent Devices
I hope that this guide has helped you choose a good mosquito-repellent device for camping.
Bringing an accessory like this along on your next trip can make a huge difference to everyone’s comfort and will stop those pesky bugs from spoiling the fun!
Going camping soon? Learn about the best camping gear by reading the following guides:
