How to Keep Mosquitoes Away Naturally Outside: 5 Methods to Try
Key Takeaways
- The five natural ways to keep mosquitoes away outside are wearing NatPat’s BuzzPatch stickers, using oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) repellent, removing standing water, running an oscillating fan, and using physical barriers and protective clothing.
- BuzzPatch stickers release citronella essential oil from clothing to help mask a wearer’s carbon dioxide trail. Recommended 30% OLE products gave 5 to 7 hours of protection in Consumer Reports testing but aren’t advised for children under 3.
- Emptying standing water weekly stops mosquitoes from breeding, and an oscillating fan cut mosquito landings by 45% to 65% in Consumer Reports testing. Screens, long sleeves, and stroller netting reduce exposed skin during peak dawn and dusk biting hours.
- Keeping mosquitoes away outside matters for more than avoiding itchy bites, since mosquitoes in the U.S. can spread diseases such as West Nile virus; kids who play outside for hours are especially exposed.
- NatPat’s BuzzPatch is the easiest method for families with young kids: it’s DEET-free, designed to be safe for kids aged 0+, sticks on clothing instead of skin, and protects the wearer wherever they go, including from mosquitoes drifting in from a neighbor’s yard.
What Draws Mosquitoes to Your Backyard
Mosquitoes are drawn to a backyard by standing water to breed in, shade to rest in, and the carbon dioxide people breathe out. So, the natural methods that keep them away outside work by cutting off those cues. Relying on just one method rarely works, because no single fix handles both the yard and the person standing in it.
That gap shows up quickly. In warm weather, mosquitoes can go from egg to adult in as little as seven days, so a skipped weekly check lets a new batch hatch. Age narrows the choices too, since some plant-based repellents aren’t suitable for toddlers.
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5 Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away Outside
1. BuzzPatch Mosquito Repellent Stickers: Best for Kids & Backyard Play
NatPat's BuzzPatch uses citronella-infused stickers worn on clothing, offering a DEET-free, spray-free way to keep mosquitoes away from kids and adults.
BuzzPatch is a mosquito repellent sticker from NatPat that sticks onto clothing instead of skin. Created by three dads in Melbourne looking for a better way to protect their own kids from bites, it’s now used by over 1 million families.
Each sticker is made with AromaWeave™, NatPat’s proprietary fiber technology designed for consistent, long-lasting release of citronella essential oil, and attaches with medical-grade tape. The citronella scent helps mask the carbon dioxide a person exhales, making the wearer harder for mosquitoes to detect in the first place.
Because it's DEET-free and non-toxic, BuzzPatch stickers are designed to be safe for kids aged 0+ and adults, with separate application guidance depending on age:
- Ages 0–2: One sticker placed centrally on clothing, such as the front of a onesie
- Ages 3–5: Two stickers, one on the top (T-shirt or sweater) and one on the shorts
- Ages 6+ and adults: Two to four stickers, one on the clothing next to each exposed limb
For best results, swap in a fresh sticker every 8 hours. You can reseal any unused stickers in the pack's ziplock bag, where they stay effective for up to 24 months. NatPat recommends BuzzPatch for backyard play, park visits, camping trips, and travel, and hosts running outdoor events can even leave a tray of stickers out so guests can grab one on arrival.
Since it’s not sprayed on and nothing sticky stays on the skin, it’s an easy layer to add before heading outside, though it protects the wearer rather than the whole yard, so pairing it with the yard-based methods below gets the best results.
2. Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent: Best for Adults & Kids 3+ on Longer Outings
Refined oil of lemon eucalyptus can repel mosquitoes for hours, though it isn’t suitable for children younger than three.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) is a plant-derived repellent ingredient registered for use by the EPA. OLE is not the same as lemon eucalyptus essential oil. OLE is refined so it's rich in the active compound PMD (p-menthane-3,8-diol), whereas the essential oil carries far less of that compound, and the amount shifts from batch to batch.
That refinement matters for how well it actually works. In Consumer Reports testing, about half of the 30% OLE products tested performed well enough to be recommended, holding mosquitoes off for about five to seven hours and putting OLE on par with some synthetic options.
But there are limits on who should use it. The CDC advises against using products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old. OLE hasn’t been studied as thoroughly as some other repellent ingredients, but research so far suggests side effects are limited to eye and skin irritation. Keep any repellent well away from a child’s face and hands, and off any cut or sore patch of skin.
3. Remove Standing Water From Your Yard: Best for Long-Term Yard Control
Even a capful of water can host mosquito larvae, so leveling lawn dips and emptying containers weekly cuts down breeding sites.
Since mosquitoes can breed in as little water as a bottle cap, a weekly yard walkthrough goes a long way.
- Empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out anything holding water, including tires, buckets, planters, toys, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, and trash containers.
- Drain and turn over kiddie pools when they're not in use, and tightly cover water storage containers like buckets and rain barrels.
- For containers without lids, wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito works as a cheap barrier.
- Fill in tree holes so they can't collect rainwater, keep gutters and drain lines clear of leaves and debris, and level out dips or uneven patches in the lawn with topsoil and grass seed.
- Cutting back tall grass, brush, and low tree limbs also reduces the shade mosquitoes rest in and helps wet spots dry out faster.
Even with all of this done, a well-kept yard can still attract mosquitoes drifting over from a neighbor’s property, which is exactly why personal repellents still earn their place in the routine.
4. Run an Oscillating Fan Outdoors: Best for Patios & Outdoor Seating
Placing a fan near outdoor seating can cut mosquito landings by up to 65% by disrupting flight and scattering exhaled carbon dioxide.
A simple oscillating pedestal fan does more than you’d expect. In the same Consumer Reports testing above, it reduced mosquito landings by 45% to 65% for people sitting nearby.
The moving air makes it physically harder for mosquitoes to fly against the current, and it also helps disperse the carbon dioxide trail that draws them toward a person in the first place.
Setting one up near a patio table or outdoor seating area is a low-effort way to cut down on bites without applying anything to skin or clothing.
5. Use Physical Barriers & Protective Clothing: Best for Dawn, Dusk, & Babies in Strollers
Fitted screens, covered skin, and staying indoors at dawn and dusk do more to prevent bites than bug zappers ever will.
Sometimes the simplest fix is a physical one. Installing or repairing window and door screens keeps mosquitoes from moving from the yard into the house, and keeping doors closed reinforces that barrier.
Wearing loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants reduces exposed skin, and covering strollers or baby carriers with mosquito netting protects kids who can’t apply repellent themselves.
Timing adds another layer of protection. Some common species, like the Northern house mosquito, feed most actively at dawn and dusk, so limiting outdoor time during those windows, or doubling up on precautions if you’re out then, reduces exposure during peak biting hours. Others, like the Asian tiger mosquito, bite during the day, so the other methods here still matter in daylight.
It's also worth knowing what doesn't work: bug zappers and electric swatters aren’t an effective way to control mosquitoes in a yard, so don't rely on them as a primary defense.
Top 5 Natural Mosquito Prevention Methods: Summary Table
| Method | How It Helps | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| BuzzPatch stickers | Citronella essential oil on clothing helps mask the wearer’s carbon dioxide trail | Kids aged 0+ and adults during backyard play |
| Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) | Plant-derived repellent applied to skin | Adults and children 3 and older |
| Removing standing water | Stops mosquitoes from breeding in the yard | Weekly yard upkeep |
| Oscillating fan | Disrupts flight and disperses carbon dioxide | Patios and outdoor seating |
| Barriers and clothing | Screens, long sleeves, and netting reduce exposed skin | Dawn, dusk, and strollers |
Keep Mosquitoes Away Outside with NatPat BuzzPatch Stickers
Keeping mosquitoes away naturally outside comes down to two things: making the yard less inviting and protecting the people in it. Clearing standing water, trimming shaded hiding spots, and running a fan make the yard less inviting, while long sleeves and avoiding dawn and dusk cut exposure during peak biting hours. Each method covers a different gap, so they work best together.
NatPat BuzzPatch natural mosquito repellent stickers add the personal layer that yard work can’t, since mosquitoes from neighboring properties still need to be kept off whoever is outside. designed each sticker to sit on clothing and release citronella essential oil instead of DEET, and every order is backed by a 365-day money-back guarantee. So, shop BuzzPatch stickers to protect everyone before your next afternoon outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do bug zappers actually reduce mosquitoes in my yard?
No. Bug zappers kill some flying insects, but they don’t address the breeding sites or shaded resting spots mosquitoes rely on. A yard with a zapper can still have plenty of active mosquitoes, so clearing standing water and using personal repellents are better uses of your time.
How often should I reapply natural mosquito repellent?
It depends on the product. Replace BuzzPatch stickers every 8 hours for continued effectiveness. The 30% oil of lemon eucalyptus products that earned a Consumer Reports recommendation provided 5 to 7 hours of protection in its testing, so reapplication timing should follow whatever the specific product's testing or label indicates.
Can I use natural mosquito repellents on babies?
It depends on the ingredient. The CDC advises against using products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD on children under 3. BuzzPatch uses citronella essential oil on clothing rather than skin and is designed to be safe for kids aged 0+, including a specific application method for ages 0 to 2.
What time of day are mosquitoes most active?
It depends on the species. The Northern house mosquito, common across much of the U.S., is most active at dawn and dusk, while the Asian tiger mosquito bites mostly during the day. Limiting outdoor time at dawn and dusk, and using repellent and protective clothing whenever you’re outside, reduces the chances of getting bitten.
Is BuzzPatch safe for kids and does it really work?
BuzzPatch is DEET-free, non-toxic, and designed to be safe for kids aged 0+ and adults. It works by releasing citronella essential oil from a sticker worn on clothing, which helps mask the carbon dioxide scent trail mosquitoes use to find people and makes the wearer harder to detect.
*Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, remedy, or product, especially if you have allergies, sensitive skin, or an existing medical condition. For more information, visit NatPat.