Mosquitoes suck – not just your blood, but also your patience when their bites cause endless itching. They can spread diseases like Zika, chikungunya and most commonly dengue fever – with tens of thousands of cases in Singapore each year. Apart from precautions to prevent mosquito breeding, our best defence against these pesky pests is mosquito repellents.
With a whole variety of patches, electronic devices and natural sprays to choose from, here’s our guide on the 8 best mosquito repellents in Singapore to keep you and your family safe from these pesky bugs.
Pro tip: NEA advises the use of repellents containing Deet, Picaridin or IR3535. Natural repellents containing essential oils like citronella and lemon eucalyptus are also useful when regularly re-applied. To test for allergic reactions, apply a small amount directly on your skin.
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No list of mosquito repellents is complete without Tiger Balm’s Mosquito Repellent patches, and for good reason. Mess-free and easy-to-use, their all-natural patches use citronella oil and are safe for kids and even babies.
Each patch is individually packed for freshness, and it’s a good idea to keep a few in your bag to use when you’re hanging out at mosquito-frequented areas like outdoor eateries and parks. Usually costing $8.50 for a box of 10 at NTUC, these patches adhere securely to clothes but leave no sticky residue when removed.
Price: $5.82 for a box of 10 patches
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Old is gold when it comes to perennial problems like mosquitoes, and this 20-year old brand goes back to nature for a remedy. It’s 100% natural with active ingredients like citronella oil, so you can safely place ANTIMOS Mosquito Control anywhere around the house.
Simply remove the lid and the solid repellent will start diffusing to effectively protect an area of about 100sqft. Each canister can last for about 600 hours, or about 25 days – a long-lasting and fuss-free mozzie solution.
Price: $14 for a 6 pack
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Those who have been outdoors during NS or Outward Bound School (OBS) might be a little wary of mosquito repellents that sometimes have unpleasant smells. Based in Japan, Sawaday is known for their air-fresheners and luxe stick diffusers, and the Sawaday Mos-Bye marries their highly-rated fragrances with a potent anti-mozzie formula.
Doubling up as an air freshener, the Sawaday Mos-Bye comes with a choice of scents like Lemongrass, Chamomile and Lavender. Each container lasts about 1-2 months, and contains no DEET or artificial ingredients.
Price: $11.73 for 2 275ML diffusers
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Image credit: Three Star Brand
Singapore is smack in the middle of the tropics with an endless supply of pesky mosquitoes, so it’s no wonder why we have plenty of locally-developed mosquito repellents like the Three Star Brand Mozzie Free spray.
With a 4.9 star rating on its Shopee online store, it’s highly rated for its non-sticky, non-oily natural formula which is also suitable for kids. Available in lemon, lavender and original citronella scents, the spray can be spritzed directly onto exposed skin from a distance of 15CM for hours of protection.
Price: $8.80 for a 90ML bottle
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While natural options might be sufficient for days that are mostly spent indoors, NEA encourages the use of DEET repellents when outdoors or in areas that have a higher risk of dengue. The Sawyer Maxi-DEET Insect Repellent is ideal for hikers or adventurers with its stronger, longer-lasting effects.
NSmen might be familiar with the green tubes of military-grade mosquito-repellent gel we rely on in the jungle, but this takes things to the next level with its 100% DEET formula. Perfect for hikers and adventurers, each application lasts a whopping 10 hours and also protects against other insects like ticks.
Price: $16.90 for a 90ML bottle
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Image credit: Shopee
Apart from natural and synthetic mosquito repellents, there’s the PowerPac Mosquito Power Strike on the other end of the spectrum – an option that doesn’t use chemicals at all. Instead, a UV light attracts unsuspecting mozzies, zapping curious bugs with a high-voltage grille within.
NEA maintains that the effectiveness of UV and ultrasonic traps are uncertain, but this electric mosquito repellent device is one of the most popular in Singapore with plenty of rave reviews online. It’s still best to augment the Power Strike with other precautions like chemical repellents and mosquito window mesh, but this adds an extra layer of safety that’s best deployed at night or in dark corners.
Price: $28.90
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You’d be forgiven if you mistook the Xiaomi Mijia Mosquito Repellent for a high-tech, modern WiFi router, thanks to its sleek design. Powered by 2 AA batteries, these portable electric devices diffuse an effective formula that covers up to 300sqft in area.
The refill within lasts up to 90 days
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Available in a pack of 3 units, each comes with a refill installed, with replacement cartridges costing from about $7 per piece. Using a fan instead of a heating element or UV light, this device is designed to function quietly – suitable for bedrooms for nights of peaceful, bite-free sleep.
Price: $37.50 for 3 units
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Image credit: Shopee
Known for their insecticide sprays, Baygon also makes the Liquid Electric Repeller – a small heater that you can easily plug into your main power outlets and diffuses enough liquid repellent to cover a 100sqft room. If used 8 hours a night, each refill can last about a month.
As a testament to its effectiveness, the mosquito repeller is easily found at supermarkets and online stores. Quiet and safe, it can also be used in your children’s room or the kitchen.
Price: $32 for 2 units
Get the Baygon Liquid Electric Repeller
With the humid weather in Singapore, mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever are a constant concern. Whether you’re going on an outdoors adventure or staying safe at home, it’s advisable to take precautions with these best mosquito repellents in Singapore.
Armed with these anti-mozzie patches, sprays, diffusers and electric devices, you and your family will be well-stocked to defend yourself from these buzzing bugs.
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Cover image credit: Aliexpress, Three Star Brand
The products have been ranked according to features and prices from sources and reviews online.
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