Mosquitoes are responsible for more human suffering than almost any other creature on Earth. Every summer, as temperatures rise and mosquito populations explode, the risks they carry become impossible to ignore. A single bite — whether in your back garden, at a campsite, or on an evening walk — can expose your family to health threats that linger long after the itch fades.

Health authorities consistently warn that mosquito activity peaks between June and September across the UK, a window when outdoor exposure is at its highest and the consequences of ruined summer evenings are most frustrating. Yet most families still rely on the same ineffective solutions: citronella candles that blow out in the breeze, sticky chemical sprays that need constant reapplication, or bulky plug-in devices that keep you tethered to an indoor socket.

That's why we decided to run this test.