iSportsman Staff

Whether you’re hunting, camping, or hiking, your activity is going to influence your choice in insect repellent: You don’t want to smell of citrus if you’re sitting in a deer stand, and you won’t want to feel oily and sticky if going out for a quick jog. Regardless of your mosquito repellent needs, we’ve listed a few simple mosquito repellent hacks sure to fit the bill.

Best for Everyone: All-Around Mosquito Repellent Hacks 

No matter what you do outdoors, there are some mosquito repellent hacks that work for everyone. Such as: 

• Wearing loose fitting, protective clothing when spending time outside 

• Applying mosquito repellent after applying sunscreen to get the most use out of both 

• Using screens, or blinds, when camping or hunting to keep bugs away from yourself and others 

While these seem like no-brainers, they’re a great first step in keeping yourself itch free for long durations.  

Best for Hunters

When trying to remain undetected by wild animals while hunting, there is only one sure-fire way to repel mosquitos: Permethrin. Treating clothes and gear with permethrin before a hunt, long camping trip, or backpacking excursion will help kill and repel mosquitoes. It’s also your best bet for preventing chigger bites. Permethrin is heavy-duty, and it’s crucial that you read the label and apply to clothing and gear properly — being sure to not apply it to skin! Permethrin is scent free, making it a go-to for hunters. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to use to properly, treating only top layers and gear such as boots, shirts, pants and tents (again, you do NOT want to get this stuff on your skin!) 

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Best for Hikers, Campers, and Others 

When you think of Avon you probably don’t think “best in the outdoor business” but the Avon Skin So-Soft line of mosquito repellent causes quite a buzz amongst outdoor adventures. Avon’s Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 not only offers SPF 30 protection but is also the longest lasting EPA-registered-insect repellent that protects against mosquitos AND ticks for up-to 12-hours. (And Avon does not sponsor us, but if you’re reading this hit us up!) 

Weird but Works: Unlikely Mosquito Repellent Hacks 

If you’re heading out for a quick jog, walk, or ride in the boat there is one more “mosquito repellent” you may want to try. You’ve probably heard this one and thought it was a joke, but its real — according to an article published in the Entomological Society of America Science Journal Victoria’s Secret Bombshell perfume effectively repels mosquitos for up to 120 minutes.  Now, if your masculinity is keeping you from indulging in the sweet smells of white peony, sage, and velvet musk — that’s fine! But, for the ladies looking for an effective way to keep the bugs away, this is a great wildcard to have in your pocket and on your vanity. How’s that for Victoria’s “secret”? 

Jokes aside, preventing mosquito bites is more than just a preference — there are serious diseases and other ailments that mosquitos can cause. Whether you’re going heavy duty by treating gear with permethrin or keeping it light with a quick perfume spritz, make sure to take strides in protecting yourself from mosquitos while outdoors.

Also learn about how to prevent and treat chigger bites on iSportsmanUSA.