I’ll never forget moving to San Francisco in my 20s and marveling at the lack of mosquitoes there. A native Michigander who grew up swatting bugs, I couldn’t believe Californians didn’t even use window screens! I went on to enjoy 20+ mosquito-free years in the arid West, only to move back East two years ago—to Southern Florida, no less.

Hello again, my blood-sucking little friends!

The good news is, bug spray has come a long way from the pesticide-laden, foul-smelling stuff we covered ourselves with on family camping trips. Chemicals are being phased out, natural repellants are in, and convenience is paramount.

Danger from DEET?

A healthy advance in the evolution of bug spray has been the reduction or complete elimination of DEET, an insect repellant developed by the U.S. Army for use during jungle warfare. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that “as long as consumers follow label directions and take proper precautions, insect repellents containing DEET do not present a health concern.”

What are some of those precautions? “Do not apply over cuts, wounds or irritated skin; do not apply to hands; do not apply near the eyes and mouth of small children,” and nine others. Doesn’t exactly reassure you, does it? In fact, DEET toxicity has been associated with seizures, insomnia, mood disturbances, and impaired cognitive function.

 Keep Bugs Away the Natural Way

While the brand-name bug sprays still contain DEET, manufacturers have been reducing the amount used in their formulas. Meanwhile, the market for natural, DEET-free mosquito repellent is…well, buzzing. Several companies have introduced products made from essential oils known for their natural ability to repel insects: citronella, cedarwood, peppermint, and eucalyptus to name a few.

Besides smelling lovely, these herbal formulas claim to keep mosquitoes, deer ticks, black flies, gnats, no-see-ums and biting midgets at bay. They are packaged as sprays, lotions (including some with sunscreen), towelettes, and candles (great for the patio or campsite). There are DEET-free natural bug sprays for children as young as 6 months, and special formulas for pets.

And what if, despite your precautions, those “skeeters” do manage to bite?  Today you can find natural products on the market containing soothing ingredients such as Aloe Vera oil, Vitamin E, and Camphor to soothe the sting and take away the itch.

- Paula Detwiller, All Vitamins Plus Contributor