It’s finally warming up outside, which means playing outside, family vacations, and… mosquitos. Yep, bug season is in full swing. If you have trouble figuring out what insect repellents are best for keeping bug bites at bay for your family, you’re not alone.
Made Safe’s Bug Repellent: What’s In It? report finally gives you the answers you need. We looked at common active ingredients in conventional insect repellent and how they impact our health and the environment, as well as more natural options. Here’s the scoop:
Insect repellents are made up of two types of ingredients.
Active ingredient are the active repelling chemicals and must appear on the label
Inert ingredients, which are everything else in the products and can be all kinds of things from solvents and preservatives to anti-caking or foaming agents and fragrance, and are not listed on the label.
Some common active ingredients are chemicals of concern.
DEET: linked to skin irritation, neurotoxicity, and shown to cross the placenta. Shows up in groundwater, surface water, and drinking water.
Cyfluthrin: linked to neurotoxicity, and harmful to aquatic invertebrates, fish, and honeybees.
Permethrin: linked to neurotoxicity, and harmful to aquatic invertebrates, fish, and honeybees.
Pyrethroids: a class of chemicals linked to neurotoxicty; some have been linked to endocrine disruption; some have been classified as possible carcinogens.
Read more on chemicals of concern in bug repellent.
Some plants have pharmacological and biological properties that make plant extracts effective insect repellent, including:
citronella
clove oil
geraniol
lemongrass
lemon eucalyptus
linalool
neem
thyme
Read more on plant-based alternatives and other tips to keep bugs at bay.
MADE SAFE has certified the first-ever bug repellent made entirely with safe ingredients: Kosmatology Bug Repellent Balm* is made with a mixture of herbs, essential oils, and coconut oil. And for soothing your kiddos’ bug bites, we recommend Oilogic Bug Bites & Itches Essential Oil Roll-On, which is also MADE SAFE certified.
Remember to choose the repellent that’s right for your family’s needs.
Knowing your area and if you are at risk for a mosquito-borne or tick-borne illness can help you make the right bug repellent choice for you and your family. Go to Consumer Reports’ Guide to Mosquito and Tick Diseases for information for your area.
Originally published on www.NaturallySavvy.com
Friends Read Free