The truth is, I very rarely use Aerogard, but sometimes when you need it, you need it. We went for a lovely walk to a place next to a creek in a local national park one day. The mozzies formed a mozzie-posse and attacked us in droves as soon as we took our first step over the entrance. We dived back into the car and found some repellent and then we were fine for the walk.

Sometimes our back yard gets overpopulated with mozzies. Usually there is a bit of standing water in plant bases etc which we have forgotten to empty out. As soon as we double-check containers etc and get rid of the water the mozzies start to die off. (Our garden is a bit of a jungle. No excuses. Just not good gardeners.)

I think you can get pure citronella oil without nasties, but you'd have to do a skin-check for allergic reactions before slathering it on.

You could make your own citronella oil, too.