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Summer evenings at the campsite have one common enemy: the mosquito. And since the tiger mosquito has settled across almost the whole of France, bites are no longer limited to the edges of ponds or to nightfall. Many holidaymakers therefore look for a natural mosquito repellent, gentler on the skin and on the environment than conventional insecticides.
Good news: effective natural solutions exist. Bad news: many popular remedies do not work, or only for a very short time. Here is what really works, what is useless and the right habits for a holiday without bites.
| Solution | Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Repellent based on lemon eucalyptus oil (PMD, citriodiol) | Effective for several hours, the best option of natural origin |
| Citronella essential oil | Weak, a few dozen minutes |
| Mosquito net and covering clothing | Very effective, with no product at all |
| Fan | Effective nearby, mosquitoes fly poorly in a draught |
| Removing standing water | Essential against the tiger mosquito |
| Wristbands, ultrasonic devices, apps | Ineffective |
The tiger mosquito, recognisable by its black and white stripes, was established in 83 departments of mainland France on 1 January 2026, according to Santé publique France. Unlike the common mosquito, it bites mainly during the day, especially in the morning and late afternoon, and breeds in small amounts of water: saucers, buckets, tarpaulins, tyres.
Beyond the nuisance, it can transmit dengue, chikungunya or Zika when it has bitten an infected person. Protecting yourself from bites is therefore not just a matter of comfort.
Among the substances recommended by health authorities to protect the skin, only one is of plant origin: PMD, also sold under the name citriodiol, extracted from lemon eucalyptus oil. Well formulated, it protects for several hours, which makes it the best option for anyone wanting a natural mosquito repellent that is genuinely effective.
A few precautions apply: follow the leaflet (minimum age, number of applications per day), apply it only to exposed skin, and reapply after swimming or heavy sweating. For babies and pregnant women, ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice.
Essential oils of citronella, geranium or lavender have a real repellent effect, but a very short one: a few dozen minutes at most, before they evaporate. They can also irritate the skin if applied undiluted. At best, they complement another form of protection.
The same goes for potted plants on the terrace: a citronella or geranium plant perfumes the air, but is not enough to keep mosquitoes away from a picnic table. As for citronella candles, their effect is limited to a few dozen centimetres around the flame.
Some products offer no protection at all and give a false sense of security. Anti-mosquito wristbands, even impregnated with essential oils, only protect the wrist area. Ultrasonic devices and apps have no proven effect on mosquitoes. And electric diffusers based on insecticides are not natural at all: health authorities advise using them with caution indoors.
The most effective protections are often the simplest:
A shaded pitch close to calm water will always be more exposed. If you are sensitive to bites, choose a well-ventilated, sunny pitch and ask at reception: some campsites, including certain eco-campsites, encourage swallows, bats and dragonflies, major mosquito predators, rather than relying on chemical treatments. And when the heat sets in, our tips for camping during a heatwave will also help you sleep better.
An effective natural mosquito repellent does exist: the lemon eucalyptus repellent. Combined with a mosquito net, covering clothing in the evening, a fan and removing standing water, it is enough in the vast majority of situations in France. Leave wristbands and ultrasonic devices aside, and keep essential oils for their scent.
A repellent based on PMD, also called citriodiol, derived from lemon eucalyptus. It is the only substance of plant origin recommended by health authorities, with protection lasting several hours.
A little, but for a very short time. Citronella essential oil evaporates within a few dozen minutes, and candles only work right next to the flame.
No. At best they protect only the wrist area and give a false sense of security. Ultrasonic devices and apps have no proven effect either.
Citronella, geranium, lavender or basil give off scents that mosquitoes dislike, but a potted plant is not enough to protect a terrace.
Empty containers holding standing water every day, wear long clothing, sleep under a mosquito net and use a fan. The tiger mosquito mainly bites during the day.
Yes, provided the minimum age stated on the leaflet is respected. For a baby or a pregnant woman, ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice before any application.
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