- The ARC - California Edition -

More About Bug Repellents

DIn the September-October issue of this newsletter, we included information about “Keeping The Bugs Away From You”. The article included the recommendation to use a bug repellent, and suggested that the more effective repellents contain the active ingredient diethyl tolumide, commonly referred to as DEET.

There have been some potential concerns raised about using any chemical, including DEET. “Are there methods or natural chemicals available that can repulse mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks without using DEET-based repellents?” “Is there a DEET-free bug repellent?”

“We are told it is important that a child not be exposed to the same levels of a DEET-based chemical as adults. What can be done for an infant?” “It is obvious that a child’s skin surface is thinner than an adult’s and any substance applied to and absorbed through the skin may have much more of an impact on a child.”

DEET is sold in concentrations of 4% to 100% as sprays, aerosols, gels, liquids, sticks and treated towels, so it is easy to understand why people become confused. We often see pleas for products to contain simpler directions.

One of my press-oriented advisors recently reported in his nationwide column that the Disney World in Florida appears to have a possible solution to using the standard DEET approach. They use a product called “Florida Aftercare” to repel insects on the Disney properties. My advisor reported that the product is not only DEET-free, but the manufacturer also claims that the mixture eliminates the itching which usually results from bites from the blood sucking mosquito, tick, and flea.

Probably more important is that this chemical works to stop the itching of poison ivy and the bites of sand fleas, gnats, deer flies, blackflies – you name the pest and the manufacturer might claim that it will be repelled by “Florida Aftercare”.

I do not know if you can find this magic repeller within California, but you might call the toll free number (888) 932-2929 or write for information about their product from Web-Away, 10165 N. 8th Lane, Ocala, FL, 34482.

Another suggestion you may wish to check out is a product that uses the red habanero pepper as the active ingredient. This pepper is supposedly 60 times hotter than its cousin, the jalapeno, and at least 10 times hotter than cayenne.

The people proposing to market this product are actually considering many nonstandard approaches for using this “nontoxic” chili pepper additive. Their product focus is to mix it into caulks, paints, glues, and rubber-coating materials in order to obtain long term repellent action.

This repellent has been developed by the New Mexico Tech Research Foundation in Socorro, New Mexico. It is being marketed by the MEDD4 company, a Santa Fe New Mexico organization.