Costco's Must-Have Items To Keep Bugs At Bay While Camping This Summer

Summer is a beloved season to soak up time in nature and the outdoors. From pitching tents in a national park, hiking ultimate trails for outdoor enthusiasts, embarking on epic road trips, or simply lounging lakeside. The warm weather invites adventure and relaxation, from stargazing in remote wilderness to grilling around the campfire. Time spent in the great outdoors improves mental and physical health and offers people a chance to unwind and connect with the natural spaces that surround us. As idyllic as these moments can be, they can also be easily interrupted by an unwelcome guest: bugs. From buzzing horseflies to relentless mosquitoes, these unwanted pests can turn a lovely outing into an itchy and frustrating ordeal.

Mosquitoes in particular are more than just a nuisance, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention labels them the world's deadliest animals due to their ability to transmit serious diseases such as dengue fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and malaria. These silent biters can pose real health risks, making effective protection essential for any outdoor adventure. Fortunately, Costco, the membership-based wholesale giant known for offering quality brand-name products at unbeatable prices, offers a range of solutions to keep the bugs at bay during all your outdoor experiences. 

With specialty departments and exclusive member deals, Costco provides affordable pieces of gear from repellents to itch relief, ensuring the summer is spent enjoying the camping trip rather than fretting about the bugs. Let's explore four essential camping items — Thermacell E95 Mosquito Repellent, OFF! Deep Woods Dry Insect Repellent Set, Kombat Mosquito & Tick Repellent DEET-free, and After Bite Sensitive Itch Eraser– detailing how they can help you achieve your summer plans, itch-free.

Thermacell E95 Mosquito Repellent is a game-changer for those seeking a hassle free way of fending off bugs and pesky mosquitoes. This rechargeable diffuser device creates a 20-foot zone of protection from bugs and is great for patios, campsites, van lifers, and intimate campfire hangs. It's highly portable, about the size of a small speaker, and can be taken along to the lake, another campsite or even a rock climbing crag.

Unlike traditional bug repellents which come in spray-on form, this is DEET-free, scent free, and requires no skin contact, making it a great option for those sensitive to chemicals or seeking a pet-friendly alternative. It weighs in at under a pound, it's highly portable, and comes with a fast-charging dock and a 13-hour battery life. Each set bought at Costco comes with 72 hours of repellent refills so you don't have to go buy more refills instantly, a nice perk. 

Costco offers the Thermacell for $55.99 (depending on location), and it includes more refill hours than many competitor sets. For comparison, Target sells a similar model for $24.99 with only 36 hours of repellent, while Amazon lists the same product for $28.49. Reviewers praise its compact design and effectiveness, with hunters and campers reporting mosquito-free experiences in dense woods, coastal areas, and other environments known for large amounts of bugs. While it can struggle in windy conditions, the diffuser's odorless repellent and its ability to cover areas much larger than other products make it a game-changing travel companion. Costco carries other Thermacell products like the Patio Shield alongside refills for the E95. 

If you prefer a more traditional bug repellent spray, the OFF! Deep Woods Dry Insect Repellent Set at Costco might be the choice for you. This pack includes two six-ounce cans and one four-ounce can, and currently retails for $18.99 — a value not typically found at other retailers like Walmart, which also sells a three-pack but with smaller cans for just a dollar less, or hardware stores where a single can cost around $10.

This product is formulated with 25% DEET, and offers up to eight hours of protection against mosquitoes, ticks, biting flies, and fleas. Its dry-touch technology means it dries instantly upon contact with skin, leaving no greasy residue, ideal for those engaging in movement-based activities during summer heat.

Reviewers give it a 4.7 out of 5 stars on Costco's website, calling it a must-have for mosquito season because of its portability and effectiveness, especially for those who attract bugs like magnets. The smell of DEET is tolerable for some, and intolerable for others. A few reviewers note a mild odor with this spray. Compared to single or double packs at other stores, Costco's three-can set offers members a great value, and they can easily slide into a backpack or a beach tote for lakeside hangs. Its ability to stay effective during sweaty activities makes it a go-to for adventurers who need reliable and re-applicable protection without the wait. 

For those wary of DEET's potential skin irritation or its negative environmental impact, the Kombat Mosquito & Tick Repellent DEET-free pack offers a wonderful alternative. The set is available at Costco for about $41.99 and includes four seven-ounce cans, and is significantly cheaper than other retailers, which can cost around $13 a can. 

This Canadian-made spray provides 12 hours of mosquito and tick protection and 10 hours against black flies, with a unique upside-down spray design for easy application. Its non-DEET formula appeals to those seeking a gentler, yet effective, repellent.

Costco reviewers rate it 4.1 out of 5 stars, praising its pleasant scent and effectiveness. One user, Misey, noted: "I'm usually a buffet for mosquitoes. Not a single bite!" Its portability makes it a breeze to toss into a backpack for all day protection during hikes, beach trips or stretches outside the house. Compared to DEET-based sprays like OFF!, Kombat offers a natural alternative without sacrificing protection, earning high marks for keeping bugs at bay. Reviewers appreciate the nice scent and can't recommend the product enough.

Even with the best repellents, a stray bug bite can still sneak through, which is where After Bite Sensitive Itch Eraser shines. Sold at Costco for $16.99 in a pack of four 20-gram tubes, this cream is a steal compared to other retailers such as Amazon, which is priced at $29 for a similar-sized set. Designed for sensitive skin, After Bite is paraben-free and uses natural ingredients like aloe vera, eucalyptus oil, and vitamin E to soothe itching from mosquitoes, bee stings, ants, and even skin irritations from sub burns, poison ivy, or poison oak. Its non-stinging formula rubs in easily, providing quick and soothing relief. 

Reviewers call it a camping essential, with many dubbing it the best itch cream they have used. Its compact tubes fit perfectly in a first-aid kit, making it ideal for tackling itches when on the go. The cream easily rubs on, avoiding any pain or irritation during application. After Bite's gentle formula is a hit for those with sensitive skin or kids.

Costco's value pack ensures you're stocked for multiple trips, providing instant relief with stings and bites, and longterm relief when you're far from a pharmacy. These outdoor items from Costco are great for a summer vacation and the perfect backup to bug repellents during your outdoor adventure to keep you itch-free and restful.