Natural bug repellents can be defined as any product containing certain essential oils or fragrances that one uses to prevent mosquito bites. This includes creams/lotions, sprays, ointments, etc. There are many types of natural bug repellents available in the market today.
Active Ingredients Used in These Repellents
These Repellents contain active ingredients that are essential oils or fragrances which have insect-repelling properties. The most common are citronella, eucalyptus, and geraniol. Depending on the brand, some may also contain DEET (a neurotoxin) while others may not.
Sprayable vs. Roll-on
Most of these repellents come in sprays or roll-ons, easily available at the drug store or supermarkets. Some might mention that sprayable products work better than roll-on, but it is better to see some reviews before buying either to avoid inconvenience later. It should be kept in mind that some brands might even provide both types.
Safety On Children
The safety of a natural bug repellent on children becomes an important aspect, especially if they have sensitive skin problems. One must always check out for ingredients that can be harmful to them and then decide if they must opt for this repellent or not. If there are many mosquito bites at home, it is better to go with these products.
Go For Long-Lasting Repellents
The repellents should have a long-lasting effect. The ingredients used in these products are often said to be effective for at least two to three hours. This gives an added advantage if one stays outdoors, such as camping or fishing where they might need protection from insects, mostly mosquitoes, flies, etc. It is better to go with long-lasting ones as they do not require much maintenance during these trips where one does not want to keep reapplying frequently.
It is important to find the best brand by going through customer reviews as this will help one decide better as each product has its own set of pros and cons depending upon quality and price. After finding out what kind of repellent is best for you, check out the various brands and what kind of experience other people have had with it. This will help in making an informed decision.