Bug off
Filed Under Going Green, Stuff | July 15, 2008
Summer road trips often seem to take us to the great outdoors, places where we can reconnect with nature, cook over open fires and sleep under the stars. They also often seem to take us to places where bugs are more plentiful. But bug spray, like sunscreen, isn’t always full of good things.
While it’s important to protect against biting insects like mosquitoes and ticks which can spread diseases such as encephalitis, Lyme disease, malaria and West Nile Virus, DEET, the main ingredient that makes most insect repellents effective may not be safe, especially for children and pregnant and nursing women.
So what’s a family headed for bug bound locale to do? Here are some of the less chemical-laden products on the market that we like the sound of:
Keys Redicare Natural Healing Spray and Insect Repellent: This spray helps with both bugs and eczema. It battles bugs with Neem oil, Karanja oil, Shea butter, avocado oil, a combination of essential oils and more. You’ll find it online at Organically Hatched.
Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent: This spray uses bug-fighting oils like rosemary, lemongrass and citronella to keep you bite-free. Burt’s Bees is widely available, and can be found at Capers and other natural food stores.
Ecokiddies’ Keep Those Bugs Away Spray: This local companies produces all their own products, including this natural spray which also helps soothe any bites you do receive. Available online from Ecokiddies.
All Things Jill’s Bug Joose!: Combining essential oils in a witch hazel base, Bug Joose! does not come in a pressurized container or contain any chemical repellents, which means it’s safer for you and the environment. Find it online at All Things Jill.
Wondering what’s in the bug spray you’ve already got in your cupboard? Search for it on the Environmental Working Group’s www.cosmeticsdatabase.com to see how it rates for safety.
And one caveat. We have not travelled to enough buggy climes lately to put all these products to the test. If you have tried any of them and have any feedback on how great they are (or aren’t) please use our comment functionality to let everyone know.
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Let us know what you think or share your great finds with us so we can share them with other Vancouver mothers!
Escents also has a natural insecticide which I’ve used that smells wonderful and works well. They put in the aromatherapy scent into the great cream. Its’ called “Bug Off”.
[...] and insects can be fascinating for kids, bug bites are not. Last year we gave you a run down of deet-free bug sprays and this year we wanted to add All Terrain’s Herbal Armour Kids to the list. We like its [...]