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Fight mosquitos with the best repellent tech for summer
Whether you’re hiking, barbecuing in your backyard, relaxing in your favorite hammock, camping, gardening, entertaining in your yard, or walking your dog, one of the most annoying things about being outside are the mosquitos. While most humans hate mosquitos, they play an important role in our ecosystem, but that doesn’t mean you need to accept being bitten by them every time you go outdoors this summer.
Here are some tech-oriented solutions that’ll help keep those pesky bugs away from you.
Best anti-mosquito tech in 2024
Our in-house team of outdoor and tech experts have curated this roundup of easy-to-use, technology-based tools and gadgets that can help control mosquitos.
Best for small outdoor areas: Thermacell Patio Shield
This handy device provides hours of scent-free, mess-free defense against mosquitoes. No batteries or cords are needed. This makes the Patio Shield a convenient and portable outdoor option for mosquito protection.
Available in four colors, the Thermacell Patio Shield creates a 15-foot zone of mosquito protection. It’s powered by a safe and compact 12-hour fuel cartridge. This device is a great alternative to applying sprays or lotions on your skin.
Thermacell uses a synthetic allethrin formula that’s inspired by repellent extracts found in plants. It’s been independently tested and EPA-reviewed for safety and effectiveness. It’s both people- and pet-friendly.
The package include one repeller, one 12-hour fuel cartridge and three 4-hour repellent mats. Replacements are sold separately from Thermacell.
Best for personal use: Themacell MR450 Armored
Ideal for hiking, fishing or spending time outdoors, this personal MR450 mosquito repeller is easy to use and provides hours of scent-free, mess-free mosquito defense. It fact, it creates a mosquito-free barrrier around you that covers up to a 15-foot diameter.
The unit comes equipped with an easy-to-grip rubber coating and belt clip for transport when not in use. It offers quiet ignition and an accessory mounting system combined with a re-engineered grill and switch. The MR450 Armored is powered by a safe and compact fuel cartridge. It emits scent-free repellent that drives away mosquitoes without having to apply sprays or lotions on your skin.
The MR450 includes one repeller, one 12-hour fuel cartridge, three 4-hour repellent mats and one belt clip. Replacement cartridges and repellent mats (required) are available from the Thermacell website.
Best wearable mosquito repellent: Radarcan R-100 Plus
Designed to be worn around your wrist (like a watch) or placed near your body, the Radarcan R-100 Plus is a portable mosquito repeller that uses ultrasonic sound to drive those pesky bugs away.
The wristband comes in several colors and is made from silicone that’s durable and hypoallergenic. It’s designed for outdoor use. The unit relies on ultrasonic tech that emits sound that repels mosquitoes without chemicals or traps. It’s battery operated. One CR2023 battery is designed to provide up to 10 months of power (assuming you use the device for up to four hours per day).
On the face of the R-100 is a small LED status indicator that lets you know when it’s working. There’s also a small on/off button. When turned on, the R-100 Plus offers about a six foot barrier of protection against mosquitos.
Best for camping: Thermacell Backpacker
Perfect for backpackers and camping, this portable Backpacker mosquito repeller from Thermacell is easy to use and provides hours of scent-free, mess-free mosquito defense within up to a 15-foot radius.
It requires no batteries or cords. Instead, the device utilizes the same camping gas canisters (not included) that backpackers and campers likely already use.
This unit has a lightweight design (weighing about 4.0 ounces) and offers a compact size. It’s designed to provide dependable performance up to an elevation of 7,000 feet. Using one four-ounce gas canister, the device operates for up to 90 hours. You’ll get up to 360 hours using a 16-ounce canister.
Keep in mind, the Backpacker is only compatible with valves designed to the EN417 specification. In addition to the gas canisters, the Backpacker requires unscented repellent mats that last up to 4 hours each and change color when time to replace them. These mats use a synthetic allethrin formula that’s inspired by repellent extracts found in plants.
The Backpacker is designed for outdoor use only. It includes one repeller, four 4-hour repellent mats and one water-resistant travel bag. Replacement repellent mats are available from Thermacell.
Best for indoor/outdoor spaces: Sequoia Mosquito Warden MW
The Mosquito Warden MW is designed for use indoors or outdoors. It will help control mosquitos without using any harsh chemicals. It generates no unpleasant fumes. Instead, this unit relies on CO² scent, combined with a light that attracts mosquitoes.
Each Mosquito Warden MW unit covers an area up to 1,100 square feet, although you can use multiple units (spaced apart) to cover larger areas. What we like about this device is that it works to rid your space of mosquitos, gnats, gophers, Japanese beetles, moles, moths, roaches, scorpions, slugs, snails, stick bugs, wasps, yellow jackets and other creatures. However, it’s safe for people, plants and pets.
It operates silently and comes with a limited five year warranty. The included LED bulb has a working life of 50,000 hours (up to six years). To function, the unit must be plugged into electrical power. It does not work using a propane tank like many competitors.
Best solar-powered option for yards: Sayneep Solar Bug Zapper
Because the Sayneep Solar Bug Zapper is solar-powered, you can set it up on your porch or patio and let it do its job. The solar panel is used to recharge the unit’s internal 4,000 mAh battery. The battery can also be recharged via a USB connection. The unit takes about three hours to fully recharge.
This bug zapper measures 5.1 x 5.1 x 9.4 inches and uses multi-wavelength UV light to attract insects. It offers up to a 2,100-square-foot coverage range. You can adjust the mosquito killer to automatic mode by pressing the light sensor button; the cordless bug zapper will automatically turn on in the dim light and turn off in strong light.
In addition to ridding your outdoor living space of mosquitos, it also works against other flying insects including gnats, flies, moths, wasps and house flies.
The unit itself features a rugged and weatherproof ABS housing. It’s IP66 rated to be waterproof, so it’s resistant to rain or snow. The bug zapper can be placed on a flat surface or hung it up using a hook. Amazon is currently offering a 20% off instant coupon, which brings the price to $35.
Best for up to 1-acre yards: Mosquito Magnet MM3300B Executive
The Mosquito Magnet MM3300B Executive uses a propane tank for power and is designed to attract, trap and kill mosquitos and other flying insects. It covers up to an acre of outdoor space.
The unit uses what the company calls “CounterFlow Technology,” which incorporates carbon dioxide, heat and moisture to lure insects to the propane-powered trap. The powerful vacuum then sucks the bugs into the net. Once installed, the unit starts working immediately. You’ll see noticeable results within seven to 10 days of continuous use.
We love that this unit is cordless, so you can position it anywhere in your yard. The required propane tank is not included.
Since mosquitoes only become active when the outdoor temperature is at or above 50 degrees, and they’re most active at dawn, the Mosquito Magnet Executive can automatically adjust to these conditions, ensuring optimal mosquito control, while virtually eliminating propane and attractant waste. For optimal results you’ll want to run the trap 24 hours a day to break the breeding cycle of the mosquitoes.
If you’re looking to give your outdoor living space a makeover, we’ve got you covered with our coverage of 10 ways to upgrade your patio. And since outdoor grilling season is now in full swing, it’s the perfect time up upgrade or replace your grill. Discover the five best propane grills of 2024, the five best charcoal grills in 2024, the six best smart grills for 2024 and five best wood-pellet grills for 2024. For reviews, roundups and more, be sure to read our always-fresh tech and home, kitchen and outdoor coverage.
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How to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears NFL game today: Livestream options, more
The Minnesota Vikings will take on the Chicago Bears today. The Vikings are currently 8-2, an impressive run so far this season, and will be looking to add a fourth win to their current streak after last Sunday’s 23-13 win against the Tennessee Titans. The Bears, on the other hand, are entering this game on the heels of a four-game losing streak after a tough 20-19 loss against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.
Here’s how and when you can watch the Vikings vs. Bears game today, whether or not you have cable.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
The Vikings vs. Bears game will be played on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT). The game will air on Fox and stream on Fubo and the platforms featured below.
How and when to watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears game without cable
You can watch this week’s NFL game on Fox via several streaming services. All you need is an internet connection and one of the top options outlined below.
Fubo offers you an easy, user-friendly way to watch NFL games on CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network, plus NCAA football channels. The Pro tier includes 200+ channels and unlimited DVR, while the Elite with Sports Plus tier adds NFL RedZone and 4K resolution. New subscribers get a seven-day free trial and all plans allow streaming on up to 10 screens simultaneously.
You can watch today’s game with a subscription to Sling’s Orange + Blue tier, which includes ESPN, ABC, NBC, and Fox. The plan offers 46 channels with local NFL games, nationally broadcast games and 50 hours of DVR storage. For complete NFL coverage, add Paramount+ to get CBS games, or upgrade with the Sports Extra add-on for additional sports channels like Golf Channel, NBA TV and NFL RedZone.
Watching NFL games, including Fox broadcasts, is simple with Hulu + Live TV, which includes 90 channels, unlimited DVR storage, and access to NFL preseason games, live regular season games and studio shows. The service includes ESPN+ and Disney+ in the subscription.
Want to watch today’s game live on your smartphone? If so, NFL+ streaming service is the solution you’re looking for. It lets you watch NFL Network and out-of-market games on mobile devices, with an upgrade option to NFL+ Premium that includes NFL RedZone for watching up to eight games simultaneously. Note that NFL+ only works on phones and tablets, not TVs.