These string lights could be great for ambiance and keeping bugs away.
What Are Mosquito Repellent LED String Lights and How Do They Work?
Updated on Jul. 02, 2025
Summertime means it’s time for enjoying time outdoors, whether grilling, dining or socializing in your yard. Unfortunately, summer weather also means mosquito season, when your backyard and patio areas can quickly turn from fun oasis to a bug convention when the sun goes down. Prevention goes a long way toward keeping these flying pests away, but it’s impossible to be outdoors and avoid them entirely. In some cases, you might even be unknowingly attracting mosquitoes with standing water and yard debris.
Thankfully, there’s no shortage of products designed to help, from spray repellents to electronic devices to plants that keep mosquitoes away. There’s even a brilliant solution to illuminating nighttime parties without inviting unwanted pests. Read on to learn more about one mosquito deterrent method: Mosquito repellent lights.
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What are Mosquito Repellent LED String Lights?
As the name suggests, mosquito repellent outdoor string lights look like regular hanging lights, with one important difference — they actively fend off mosquitoes. Some infuse select bulbs with a mosquito-repelling liquid like citronella, while others repel bugs simply with their yellow hue.
“Repellent lights are meant to be less attractive to mosquitoes than standard lighting options, because they emit wavelengths that are less visible or appealing to mosquitoes,” Danielle Restuccia, Division Technical Services Manager for Orkin’s Northeast Division, says. “They can help minimize the number of insects drawn to the area.”
How Do The Tiki BiteFighter String Lights Work?
Tiki Brand’s innovative mosquito repellent BiteFighter outdoor LED string lights lead the market for name recognition. Pre-filled replaceable pods claim to ward off bugs for 330 square feet and last up to 200 hours. Weatherproof coverage and shatter-resistant bulbs keep your lights safe in inclement weather.
Flip a switch to release the fluid. Within 15 minutes, according to the manufacturer, it starts keeping mosquitoes away.
While other products on the market claim similar bug repellent coverage, the BiteFighter strings lights are the most widely purchased. Amazon reviewers rave about their effectiveness and affordability. Pods are replaceable, so when the liquid runs out you simply swap out new ones instead of buying another set of lights.
“These are the best, most durable outdoor lights we’ve ever had,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “Plus, next to no mosquitos in our backyard. We used to have to burn several mosquito repellent candles and use bug spray — these lights alone do the trick! The cord is super long and sturdy and has a great on/off switch making them easy to keep up at all times.”
Tiki Brand’s string lights cost $159, while regular string lights with bulbs range from $30-$60. They cost more because they’re one of the only string lights with built-in mosquito-repelling liquid.
You can buy these online at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot and Tiki Brand’s website.
An Alternative Product to Keep Mosquitoes Away
While not a string light, Feit Electric’s yellow LED outdoor light bulb drives away nearly all bugs, including spiders. The bright yellow color naturally repels bugs without unpleasant chemicals. According to the manufacturer, the 60W LED bulb has an average lifespan of 19 years.
“My front porch area was a war zone after dark,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “We had to battle our way in and out. That’s no longer the issue! No more bugs and not one spider. You need this bulb if your walkway is a spider’s buffet.”
You can DIY your own mosquito-repelling string lights by replacing your normal bulbs with ones made to fend off bugs. Just make sure you pick the correct size bulbs. Another DIY solution: Hang citronella or a similar repellent off your string lights with a zip tie.
FAQ
Are mosquito repellent lights effective against all types of mosquitoes?
“Repellent lights can help reduce the number of flying insects in the area, [but] these lights are not a standalone solution to pest control,” Restuccia says. “The Pros at Orkin recommend using integrated pest management tactics to control pests and these lights can be a part of that. There are more effective ways to reduce mosquitoes, such as getting rid of standing water.”
Do mosquito repellent lights work better than citronella candles or sprays?
Mosquito repellent lights will provide better protection from mosquitoes than any citronella products, which are quite ineffective.
About the Expert
- Danielle Restuccia is Division Technical Services Manager for Orkin’s Northeast Division.
Sources
National Institute of Health; Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development and testing (2011)
