For many people, to go outside in the summer means wearing bug spray to not get eaten alive by bugs. This is a good idea for multiple reasons. The most dangerous reason that many people overlook is the diseases that the insects carry. West Nile Virus, Zyka Virus, Yellow Fever, Dengue, Malaria, and many other diseases are all carried and spread by mosquitoes. Unfortunately this has made the mosquito the most deadly animal in the world, killing an astonishing 1 million people per year. It’s really important for your health to wear bug repellent, but if you're not using biodegradable bug spray there are other problems to worry about.

In day to day life, you probably aren’t thinking about all of these statistics. Mosquitoes and ticks are both annoying bugs that cause endless irritation and ruin summertime fun when they’re around. Outdoor activities are great for bringing together friends, family, and nature, so don’t let insects ruin that part of your summer for you!

However, there are dangers to look out for when using bug repellent. It’s not as simple as buying the strongest stuff you can find at your local drugstore and hoping for the best. There are many different ingredients and formulas, both chemical and natural, to choose from. The chemicals have many unintended and scary consequences that should make you question whether they are really worth the risk.

DEET has been the most popular insect repellent since it was invented by the U.S. Army during World War II. It is a powerful chemical that has been effective for decades, this is why it has become the go to option. The scary thing when looking at DEET usage is the numerous negative effects that have been studied.

The EPA has labelled DEET as “slightly toxic” for humans. It is absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin. It has been shown to have negative effects on the brain if used consistently in high concentrations, causing everything from insomnia to mood changes and even seizures in extreme cases.

DEET also melts many things if you touch them when you have it on your hands. Lots of outdoor equipment like fishing line, golf clubs, and cars are all destroyed by the chemical. This is a hassle to avoid because when you’re outdoors because using these things is exactly when you need bug repellent! This is likely not the kind of substance you should put on your child’s skin.

The good news is that there are other options you can use to keep the pesky bugs away. It’s more important than ever to use bug spray to stay safe as mosquitoes carry more diseases. Recently, there have been scientific advances and more kinds of biodegradable bug spray have been discovered. Our Skedattle formula is made from only natural ingredients and oils that smell great to people but terrible to mosquitoes, fleas, chiggers, ticks, and other biting insects. Even in lower doses you have to take caution using DEET products on kids and animals. Our Skedattle formula is totally safe for everyone! 

You can purchase our natural, biodegradable bug spray below: