Understanding mosquito repellents and knowing which one is right for you
, by AussiePharmaDirect, 8 min reading time
If you're planning to spend time outdoors in mosquito-infested areas, it's important to protect yourself from mosquito bites. With so many mosquito repellents available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for you. Read to know more!
Aussies love to make the most out of the great outdoors partly because of the beautiful sunshine and weather all year round - whether it's hiking in the wilderness, having a BBQ in the backyard, or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll along the beach.
However, with the great outdoors comes one pesky problem: mosquitoes. These tiny, blood-sucking flying insects can put a real damper on any outdoor adventure, leaving us with itchy, painful bites and the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, adults and children alike. In this blog, we'll explore the many different types of mosquito repellents available in the market and help you choose the best one to keep those mozzies at bay, so you can enjoy your time outdoors without any worries!
Types of mosquito repellents available in the market
There are several types of mosquito repellents that are available in the market in Australia. However, each of them has its own unique feature and benefits, depending on where and when you use them. We’ll break them down for you right here, so you can make the better choice on which mosquito repellent is best for yourself and your family!
Spray and cream: These are the most common type of mozzie repellents, and we’re sure that you have at least used them in your lifetime, especially if you’re the type who loves to enjoy the great outdoors, mainly because these products are easy to apply on the skin. Usually, they contain ingredients like DEET, picaridin or more natural ingredients such as oil of lemon eucalyptus, lavender, and the like. Most importantly, they come in different strengths, with longer-lasting effects, which make them perfect for outdoor activities.
Mosquito candles: These candles come in different sizes and can be used together with other types of repellents for extra protection against mosquitoes. They commonly contain essential oils like citronella, which have natural insect-repelling properties. One of the main benefits of using mosquito candles is their dual-purpose ability to scent the home while also repelling mosquitoes. If you love to entertain guests at home - BBQ parties or otherwise, this option may be the perfect choice so you can enjoy a mosquito-free environment while being able to relax with the pleasant aroma.
Bracelets: This isn’t just your normal bracelet that you wear for jewellery. Sometimes known as mosquito repellent wristbands or mosquito bands, they normally contain a small amount of repellent that can be worn on the wrist or ankle. They’re marketed as a more convenient option as they don’t require frequent reapplication. How long do mosquito bracelets last though? Some brands claim that they can protect you for at least 250 hours but these kinds of claims or even claims that say it can protect the whole body from mosquitoes so far have not been backed with any scientific evidence.
Electric repellents: Electric mosquito repellent functions by heating up a liquid repellent, which then produces vapours that disperse into the air that repels mosquitoes. They usually come in different forms like plug-in devices or portable units that use batteries. These devices are often marketed as an indoor solution as they may not be effective in outdoor areas with high mosquito activity.
Mosquito patches: They’re known to work like an anti-mosquito force field by saturating your skin with B1, making your body’s scent unattractive to mosquitoes, supposedly “repelling” them. To use these patches (or for some, it’s known as mosquito stickers), you simply stick them on your clothes and they should last you for about 48 hours.
Other than the common spray or lotion insect repellent types, do these gadgets like wristbands, or patches actually work?
There is no scientific evidence on these gadgets for their supposed “mosquito-repelling” properties, and there are still studies being done to really confirm their effectiveness. So, for that, we would consider these gadgets to be ineffective for now. In the best case, they make you look good or hip.
But a word of caution for parents who are thinking to use mosquito stickers on their children. They may be dangerous for use on younger children like toddlers as they can be accidentally swallowed. In some instances, while playing with peers, they may be re-stuck on their eyes, which could cause irritation or injury.
How to choose the best mosquito repellent for your needs
There are a number of mozzie repellents to choose from and it can be overwhelming to know which one is the best for your needs. For some, it can be quite tasking to understand what is safe or not safe to use, especially when you have younger children or if you have a skin condition.
First and foremost, we recommend looking out for mosquito repellents that are approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). For a lot of manufacturers, it can be illegal to manufacture Agvet chemicals (pesticides or veterinary chemicals) unless it is registered by the APVMA or covered by an APVMA permit.
When it comes to your needs, there are 3 main factors that can help you with your decision: level of activity, type of activity, and health concerns.
Consider the type of activity you’ll be doing and the level of intensity these activities require. For example, if you’re going camping or hiking in a heavily wooded area, you may want to choose a repellent that provides a higher level of protection, with ingredients such as DEET and picaridin. However, prolonged use of repellents with these ingredients like DEET may cause potential risks to your health.
If you have a particular health concern, like eczema or if you’re averse to the use of DEET-based products because your skin is sensitive to it, then you might want to consider using a natural mosquito repellent.
Good Riddance mosquito repellents to save the day
With the right mozzie repellent, you could enjoy a whole day and night without having to endure the annoying buzz around your face and itchiness on the body. While you could use a DEET-based repellent for higher levels of protection but there is always a healthier and safer option that you could go for, and that is the Good Riddance mosquito repellents range!
Available in Tropical and Sensitive variations, the range covers at least the bases to keep pesky biting insects at bay.
Developed in the wilds of Darwin for the local fishermen and farmers and successfully tested in Kakadu where the mosquitoes are as voracious and persistent as only a mozzie can be, we think it’s the best natural mosquito repellent in Australia!
“The beauty of this range is that it is natural and completely free of DEET, picaridin, phthalate and paraben, so it’s safe for all the family to use,” says Daniel Seldon from Aussie Pharma Direct.
“There’s nothing worse than spending the night with a mosquito buzzing around your head and being eaten alive. These products really work, and you won’t end up smelling like a science experiment as the Tropical version has a refreshing lemon scent, and the Sensitive version is lavender based which is perfect for everyday use.”
Good Riddance Sensitive is the ideal natural insect repellent for children and anyone with sensitive skin, and it’s the only insect repellent in Australia that has been approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority as safe for babies over three months, for use in pregnancy, and for sensitive skin and eczema.
Both the Sensitive and Tropical Insect Repellents have a non-greasy or sticky, luxurious cream base rich in shea butter and beeswax which helps to prevent evaporation of the moisturising essential oils which provide a physical barrier against annoying mozzies.
Get full range protection with Good Riddance
If you don’t want to be on the menu for mosquitoes, midges and sandflies and want to stay clear of mosquito-borne disease, then check out the rest of the all-Australian Good Riddance range!
If you happen to miss an errant mozzie and they manage to bite you, then Good Riddance Rescue Balm Bite Relief will soothe away the sting and itchiness, as well as treat scrapes, cuts and other skin irritations.
However, if a candle is more your vibe, then the Good Riddance Insect Repellent Candle does double duty as a natural mozzie repellent and a calming mood enhancer. With a burn time of 40+ hours, the candle lends the space you are in a delicious, fresh and vibrant citrus aroma with a woody undertone and notes of Australian natives.
Depending on your preferences, you could use these products individually, but these products do provide added protection against mosquitoes on top of the use of the mozzie repellents.
Learn more about this beautiful made-in-Australia range of low-irritant, effective natural repellents and shop the full range of Good Riddance products here.