The Truth about DEET in Chemical Bug Sprays

If you have insect repellants that contain DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) at home, you might want to consider disposing of it for several serious health reasons. Too much exposure to DEET has been proven to cause moderate to severe skin problems, such as irritation, rashes, and burns. Apart from these skin problems, there are some studies that linked DEET found in many bug repellants to other more serious health problems such as insomnia, seizures, and tremors.

Most parents get too excited in using insect or bug repellants, believing that these products could protect their children from dengue and malaria fever and other mosquito-borne diseases. Of course, it's every parent's goal to give their kids the complete protection from bug or insect bites, especially from all kinds of diseases and illnesses that these insects carry.

This is the ultimate reason why companies creating insect repellants are coming up with products that contain stronger chemicals and other ingredients to ward off bugs and mosquitoes. No doubt, commercial insect repellants are effective in this aspect since these products are formulated to do just that. They contain active ingredients, such as DEET, to work effectively.

Unfortunately, there is one significant downside of using too much chemical-based or commercial insect repellants. Experts are saying that frequent exposure to DEET, which is one of the most common active agents found in these products, can actually have a lot of negative effects, especially on infants and children. These experts, in fact, have a basis for saying so.

Many academic research studies found the use of DEET very alarming. For instance, Duke University conducted a study on the impact of DEET to rats and the result was rather disturbing. The study found brain cell death in the rats when deliberately exposed to DEET. The result of the experiment prompted Duke University to warn the public against DEET exposure. In particular, the prestigious academic institution suggested that infants should not be exposed to DEET even to a very minimal level of exposure.

Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics felt the similar need to caution the public against using insect repellants that contain DEET. The group said there should be zero exposure to DEET in infants while children who are two months and older must only be exposed to repellants that has 30 % concentration of DEET. Still, parents should observe precautions when using bug sprays and other insect repellants that contain this harmful substance.

Chemical-based insect repellants would surely help reduce children’s risk of catching mosquito-borne diseases and give them complete protection from other bugs. But one must consider avoiding them because of the danger these products can pose to humans. Bug sprays that contain DEET are especially dangerous because of the long-term impact it can leave. Although health experts are saying that minimal exposure to chemicals found in bug sprays and other insect repellants is not dangerous, it is still better to turn to safer options such as Badger Anti-Bug Stick. There are actually better all natural alternatives to bug spray, such as Badger Anti-Bug Balm that can work effectively minus the harmful chemicals. Just pick the safest one!

Fight Mosquitoes and other Bugs with Your Very Own Chemical-free Bug Spray!

When fighting pests like mosquitoes and bugs, it's always best to go natural. Commercial insecticide sprays that are made with toxic chemicals sure kill the mosquitoes and bugs in your home, but they could also prove to be dangerous for the environment, and for you and your family's health. The wisest thing to do is to concoct your very own natural bug and mosquito repellent. This effort will not only make you save on costs; it will also save Mother Earth and your family from chemical harm.

Concoctions, Concoctions!

To make sure that you do get inspired in making your own chemical-free bug spray, there are two recipes featured here. You could do either or both, depending on your concocting mood. Both recipes really work, so there’s no problem in worrying over which one is best to do. For the ingredients, you could visit your local health food store or your favorite herbs boutique.  

Recipe No. 1: The All-Natural Insect Repellent

For this particular concoction, you will need only two things:

1. 2 1/2 teaspoons of combined essential oils from basil, juniper, cedarwood, lemon, myrrh, rose geranium, palmarosa, citronella pine, and rosemary.
2. 1 cup 190-proof grain alcohol.

Mix these two liquids together in a jar with a tight cover. Shake the jar vigorously to blend the oils and the alcohol well, and then transfer the concoction to your desired containers. It’s best to spread it out in small bottles, so that it’s handy to use and it’s easy to store. When using this home-made all-natural insect repellent, always test it first on by dabbing a little on the person’s skin. If no adverse reaction occurs, smooth it over exposed areas for instant protection. As you make your second and third concoction, experiment on which essential oils work best for you skin type, or which ones smell great for you. If you can’t stomach the odor anyhow, a few drops of peppermint oil will neutralize the smell. 

Recipe No. 2: ‘Bugs Away’ Insect Repellent

This particular concoction has a dual purpose: it repels insects and makes your skin smooth at the same time. For this mix, you will need only three things:

1. 1/2 cup soybean base oil ;
2. 15 drops of combined essential oils from lemongrass, geranium and catnip; and
3. 10 drops of combined essential oils from basil or eucalyptus.

Mix all these in a jar, share well until you see a perfect blend of the liquids, and you’re all done! If you must use the repellent on that very day, wait at least one hour for the mix to synergize. You could use this insect repellent for twelve months at the most. If some of the mix is left after this time, you have to throw it out and just replenish your stash with a fresh batch of concoctions. 

Going for natural insect repellents is the wisest thing you could do during these times that you need to stretch your dollar, you need to give Mother Nature extra loving care, and you need to protect your family from toxic insecticides.

Go and ease into the role of a chemist (or a good old witch) and have fun while making your anti-bug concoction!  And if you're feeling lazy and want an all-natural bug spray ready-to-go, use Badger Anti-Bug Spray or Badger Anti-Bug Balm Stick.