12 of the best bug repellents, from sprays to candles and even bracelets

This dry oil spray is full of citronella to protect from pests. Mozzies won't come anywhere near it, so no wonder it has such a high satisfaction rate. Not only does it give you softer, scented skin, but this repellent is also bug-proof. It's a win-win. It isn't an official repellent, but people swear by it. It can solidify in cold weather, but just place it in a warm room and it'll come back to liquid.

This is a favourite on the WhatsTheBest tester team, as we all seem a bit prone to mozzie bites. It's DEET free which is a plus from us - 100% natural and can last up to five hours. It is designed to protect you from a range of insects, including mosquitoes, midges, sandflies, horseflies, ticks and many more. As it is completely natural, it's suitable for vegans. This one smells pleasant and it's not greasy on your skin.

"These WORK!" says our mozzie-prone tester. Handy for travelling, simply wipe over skin for quick application. Make sure you seal the packet to prevent them from drying out, though, like any other wipes - maybe keep them inside a zip-lock bag to be on the safe side.

Different from your traditional bug repellent spray, these unisex bracelets come in a range of colours. Packed with citriodiol, these bracelets are trekker favourites, having travelled as far as the jungles in South America. Each bracelet gives you 250 hours of protection and the resealable bag means the unused ones will last for years.

Light a few of these citronella candles and those bugs will stay away from you, plus they smell good, too.

If the repellents don't work, and you DO get bitten by a little bug, then whip this pen out and dab on to your bites. It can sting a little but soon brings some relief to the itching. Our tester - Sophie Knight, said, "I do tend to get bitten a lot, so always carry this with me - it's a handy size and it's really easy to apply discreetly. It does sting when you first apply it and it smells quite strong, but it brings relief quite quickly".

If you're happy to use a DEET product, then this one works and it's from one of the best-known brands in the market. It claims to offer up to nine hours of protection, but this is only suitable for anyone over the age of 18. It is endorsed by the Hospital of Tropical Diseases.

If you don't fancy lathering yourself up in spray or bulk-buying bracelets, then this twin pack of fly traps is for you. The traps contain a strong insect attractant, to which you simply add water, then flies will be lured into the bottles and trapped. You can buy refill bait easily online, and no harmful toxins or poisons are used, so the whole process is natural. It claims to attract bugs from up to 10m away.

Incognito's Incense Sticks are highly effective and chemical-free. They have a fresh citrus aroma to refresh and enhance any room, with the added benefit that the light smoke helps to deter insects.

This spray from The Organic Pharmacy helps to keep insects at bay using a natural blend of Neem, Rosemary, Citronella, Lemon Eucalyptus, Lavender and Pyrethrum. The initial smell is quite strong when first applied, but it soon settles and insects seem to stay away from the herbal scent. Simply spritz on to your skin and gently rub in before heading outside to face the mosquitoes.

While this little gadget isn't a repellent per se, it's great to have on hand just in case someone in your party does get bitten. Instead of using chemicals or ointments, bite away uses heat technology to stop itching, pain and swelling caused by bites or stings. It's dermatologically tested and suitable for both adults and children. Place the device on the bite, wait for it to heat up (it is a little bit of a shock, but not unbearable) and enjoy itch-free skin and a faster healing time.

Well, isn't this gift set a treat? Not only is it an eco-friendly solution, but the natural aromatherapy candle and oil isn't an eyesore either. You'll be happy to have this sitting out in your garden ready to use.