Learn about Insect Deterrents: Synthetic vs Natural
Learn about insect deterrents, both natural and chemical-based, to select the best option for your needs.
We all struggle to remember to use repellents for a few reasons. One reason is that it isn't something we put on daily, such as sunscreen or deodorant (1). The second is those that are chemical-based with DEET, we are told to avoid. The third reason is the smell and greasy texture that is left on our skin cause many of us to not want to use them.
Insect deterrents are becoming more important due to the rise in dengue and lyme disease. We need to find ways to start using it more when we living our life outdoors.
You can use a variety of sources to find out more but here are two excellent choices from experts that care, EWG and REI.
In this blog, I will cover a summary of these experts and additional research papers to help round out your knowledge.
In Sensata Care's commitment to transparency, you will find all the citations at the end of the blog (for your reading pleasure). No AI was used to create this content and I have read each of these sources to give you an honest assessment.
Image: REI Article
Synthetic deterrents for the skin
At Sensata Care, we lean toward chemical-free options but for deterrents, we do want to share all that we know about these options. The use of synthetic, man-made compounds, has been used for decades and many studies have been completed showing their efficacy and impact to our bodies.
The impact of any chemical on our skin varies, we need to know as much as we can to choose the right deterrent based on our lifestyle and skin sensitivity.
DEET
It is a synthesized compound N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), an effective repellent sometimes associated with skin irritation, rashes, and swelling (3). These side effects mean those of us with sensitive skin should avoid it.
Picaridin
This synthetic is from the natural compound piperine, which is found in the group of plants that are used to produce black pepper. Picaridin has been widely used as an insect repellent in Europe and Australia, and has been available in the United States since 2005 (5).
Nootkatone
This is a new natural compound that work is underway to make a synthetic version. This may take awhile as approval of the ingredient as a deterrents happened in 2020 (7). We haven't
Natural deterrents for the skin
Natural (meaning non-synthetic) deterrents began to show up in the market about a decade ago. Plants have also been used for centuries in the form of crude fumigants where plants were burnt to drive away nuisance mosquitoes and later as oil formulations applied to the skin or clothes which was first recorded in writings by ancient Greek, Roman, and Indian scholars (4).
While these ingredients have been proven effective for centuries, many of us don't want to oily, sticky, and smelling citronella while being kept safe from the diseases mosquitoes and mimes (no-see-ums) carry. In the Caribbean, we have more than Zika to worry about, with Dengue and other variants causing debilitating sickness that lasts for weeks.
Let's dive into some of these ingredients and why they are known to work. We all want to stop the bites before they happen.
Lemongrass
This ingredient has a scent that masks your own odor and disrupts the insects sensory units so they cannot find you. Products that contain this ingredient don't have a scent that is overwhelming.
Citronella
This ingredient is made from lemongrass so has the same effect but with less efficacy. While common, we find it not effective enough to tolerate the smell. Lemongrass is a better alternative.
Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
The chemical PMD, a natural oil extracted from the leaves and twigs of the lemon-scented gum eucalyptus plant, is what makes this ingredient effective. Products containing this are as effective and as long lasting as products containing DEET.
Grapefruit
Back in 2011, the CDC began research on a natural chemical nootkatone found in Alaska yellow cedar trees and citrus fruit (1,2). Nootkatone at >98% purity causes no skin sensitivity (4) but has yet to make it to commercial production (see above under synthetic).
Natural deterrents that do not go on skin
Natural doesn't mean only for products we put on our skin. Natural also means tools and methods to keep the bugs away in the first place.
Fans or a solid breeze: Most bugs won't be able to land on or near you when there is a consistent breeze or wind. You can keep a fan on hand, either handheld, battery powered, or an overhead ceiling fan. Utilize a medium to high speed to keep the bugs away.
Thermacell: This device is battery-powered so you can take it anywhere and uses a small diffuser with a special blend that keeps bugs away. There are many similar devices on the market but I find that thermacell works the best for the price point.
OFF Clip-on: This device works with a metofluthrin infused disc and small battery-powered fan to distribute the scent. It has a decent efficacy rating and has worked for me in the past (8).
Remove all standing water: Mosquitoes and biting midges love still water so ensure there is no standing water near your home. If you have places that are prone, you can add these tablets to the water to deter any breeding.
Remember to use any of these deterrent methods when you will be outdoors when mosquitoes and biting midges (mimes) will highly active. It will save your skin but also protect you from viruses and diseases these insects carry.
(1) https://www.npr.org/2011/04/18/135468567/repelling-bugs-with-the-essence-of-grapefruit
(2) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8145050/
(3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3525852/
(4) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3059459/
(5) https://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PicaridinGen.html
(6)https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/insect-repellents.html
(7) https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/nootkatone-now-registered-epa
(8) https://academic.oup.com/jinsectscience/article/17/1/24/2996380
