Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil or lemon peel to improve the smell. Once combined, spray the mixture anywhere you don’t want bugs congregating. What to do if homemade repellents ...

If you’re looking for a DEET-free solution, Repel also creates a plant-based natural bug spray made with Lemon Eucalyptus that can protect you for up to six hours against the same bugs.

Consumer Reports tests lotions, sprays, wipes, and plant-based repellents on real people, using real mosquitoes.