{
  "id": 11657375,
  "title": "Best Mosquito Repellents for Your Yard: What Works and What Doesn’t (2026)",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/best-mosquito-repellents-for-your-yard-what-works-and-what-doesnt-2026",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-03T10:03:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Wired",
    "slug": "wired",
    "url": "https://www.wired.com/story/best-mosquito-repellents/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mosquitoes can be a persistent nuisance, turning outdoor spaces into unusable areas if left unmanaged. While large-scale spraying programs exist, most personal solutions focus on repelling mosquitoes rather than killing them outright. Insecticides like DEET and metofluthrin-based repellents, such as those from Thermacell, are effective tools.\n\nThermacell's E-ZoneGuard line employs a heating element to release metofluthrin vapor in a 10-foot radius, providing a portable and effective repellent. The device is rechargeable via USB-C and lasts approximately 36 hours per replacement cartridge. Different models with unique features are available, such as those with built-in lights or docking stations.\n\nFor larger areas, Thermacell's LIV system is a semi-permanent solution that expands coverage using the same metofluthrin chemical. A central hub connects to up to 10 freestanding repellers, creating a protective barrier around outdoor spaces like decks and pools. LIV can be controlled via a mobile app, offering precise placement and automation, but it is expensive and requires professional installation.\n\nA more affordable option is the Tiki BiteFighter, which utilizes string lights to distribute metofluthrin vapor in a 12-foot area. While it requires compatible E26 sockets and has a smaller range than LIV, it represents a low-cost alternative for those with suitable lighting setups.",
  "summary": "After years of testing repellents, traps, and sprays, I found a few ways to keep the bugs at bay—and plenty that aren’t worth the effort.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}