Concern: I’m new to natural insect repellents and I don’t know where to start.
Solution: A natural bug spray and insect repellent bug balm are often an effective one-two punch for natural newbies. Sprays tend to last longer but smell a little stronger, while a balm is great for topical application with less of a scent — ideal for when you need to cover up small areas of exposed skin, like ankles, while kicking back in your backyard. Look for handbag/pocket-sized versions as well, so you’re never unprepared outdoors.
Concern: I need to keep my kids safe and bite-free — but willing to let me put insect repellent on them.
Solution: For kids who are sensitive to smells and prone to squirming, a balm stick offers no-touch application with a less fragrant formula than most sprays (and the CDC advises against using oil of lemon eucalyptus on kids younger than three). Or try a mosquito-repellent wipe, which relies on essential oils, soybean oil, and vitamin E for insect bite prevention for up to four hours.
If you’re sending your little ones outdoors and dread the thought of having to tackle both sunscreen and insect repellent application, consider a two-in-one formula like Badger’s Anti-Bug Sunscreen.
“We’ll admit – it’s hard to get bug spray and sunscreen onto wiggly, squiggly kids – even for those of us who work at Badger,” says Piedmont-Fleischmann. “The sunscreen base works as a great fixative for the repellent essential oils, so this is a long-lasting formula.”
Concern: I want lasting bug protection while I’m exploring the outdoors.
Solution: Whether hiking with the dog or camping over a long weekend, you’ll likely want a DEET-free spray (remember that note about degrading gear?) that can cover both your body and your stuff. But don’t count out a balm.
“A spray is great for clothing and is really easy to use, but the balm formulas remain effective for a bit longer, so using a combination is a great idea,” says Piedmont-Fleischmann. “A travel bug stick is a great way to get spot protection: behind ears, or on ankles or wrists. For big jobs, the balms in tins are great — even for horses, dogs, or donkeys.”
Concern: I can’t have mosquitos crashing my backyard barbecue or al fresco meal.
Solution: Consider a combination of a candle and insect repellent incense sticks to create a “no-fly” zone. While they can be used independently of each other, the candle-stick combo is part of what Freeman calls the “point and perimeter” method.
“Our recommendation is to place the incense sticks in a perimeter around your patio to create a first-level barrier to mosquitoes, and then a candle at the point where you are enjoying the outdoors for those few mosquitoes that make it past the perimeter,” he says.
Concern: I’m worried about West Nile, Zika, and other mosquito-borne diseases when I travel.
Solution: If you’re concerned about specific diseases, you’re going to want an ingredient that’s been lab- and field-tested specifically against them. Lemon eucalyptus oil is so effective as a natural repellent, the EPA allows Murphy's Naturals to put a disease claim on its Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Spray: “Repels mosquitoes that can carry Zika Virus, West Nile Virus, Dengue Virus, and Chikungunya Virus.”
Concern: I want to extend bug protection to my pets.
Solution: The Badger balms in tins can be used on some animals, like horses, dogs, or donkeys, but some essential oils aren’t good for cats. For flea and tick protection, consider a spray like the one from Kin + Kind, which can be used before walks and hikes or sprayed weekly on your dog’s coat for general protection. You can also use the spray on bedding, but be sure to spot test a portion of the fabric first.
Concern: Help! I’ve been bitten. What’s the best natural bug bite relief?
Solution: Both Murphy’s and Badger offer natural bug bite relief balms that help soothe the itch, and since both are plant-based, you can apply (and reapply) as much as needed — just make sure to test a small area first for any sensitivities to essential oils. Badger’s After Bug Balm combines colloidal oatmeal’s soothing properties with cooling menthol for relief, plus a variety of antioxidant- and vitamin-rich oils to give your skin a boost. Murphy's Naturals Bite Relief Soothing Balm also combines bite relief with skin-enhancing ingredients like extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, Brazilian andiroba oil, and cocoa seed butter, all designed to improve the health of your skin.
