Beat It! Insect Repellent stops insects naturally

Summer brings out all sorts of creepy, crawly, and/or pesky flying insects. 

In the past, we’d reach for a heavy duty insect repellent for protection. Remember those TV ads with the guy inside a glass cased-room filled with mosquitoes? 

These days, there a number of natural insect repellents on the market. Some work better than others but most have an incredibly strong scent that can knock you back f you’re the least bit sensitive to smell. 

I recently found a natural insect repellent that not only works well, but its scent won’t announce itself from a distance. 

Bug Bam: the DEET-free insect repellent

Though school’s started, there’s still plenty of hot weather ahead for backyard barbecues and lakeside weekends.

Bug Bam - a top quality DEET-free alternative

Normally reach for heavy duty insect repellent to deter pesky mosquitoes? Instead, consider Bug Bam. This DEET-free, waterproof and sweat-proof wristband, made with FDA approved ingredients and plant-based essential oils, protects without harsh chemicals. Non-toxic, food-grade, safe for babies, kids and adults, Bug Bam has a pleasant citronella – lemon balm scent.

Bug Bam’s the brainchild of Australian outdoorsman and entrepreneur Joseph Symond, President and CEO of Bug Bam Products.

Symond grew up loving fishing. But he watched his fishing gear mysteriously disintegrate and realized later that DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) bug spray was the culprit.

Considered a neuro toxin, research shows DEET “melts” plastics and synthetic fibers and has is hazardous to skin, with documented cases of skin scarring. Holiday revelers often confuse DEET poisoning symptoms as food poisoning.

Bug Bam’s the opposite end of the spectrum. It’s100 percent natural ingredients have tested safe at independent laboratories in Australia and the U.S.

Originally created in 1998, when the West Nile Virus began springing up, Symond realized: “300 million people in the U.S. now had a mosquito problem.” He introduced the reformulated Bug Bam in 2006.

After being featured on the Today Show twice, Richard Branson tested Bug Bam and bought a truckload, as did the U.S. Navy. Walmart and Big 5 Sporting Goods followed and, says Symond, “it was a vertical line straight up!”

Bug Bam's wristband protects your whole body with all natural essentials oils

Bug Bam’s original product – the red wrist band – comes in adult and kids sizes. “It’s considered a personal repellent,” says Symond.

For outdoors, there’s the Bug Bam Grid, a plastic square with star-shaped holes to let air flow through and a built-in hook for a belt, an umbrella, to place near a tent or a

The Grid has 5 times more potency than Bug Bam's wristband

picnic area. The Grid has about 5 times more of what the wrist band has, says Symond.

To ensure top quality and effectiveness, Symond had the Grid tested at UC Davis by one of the country’s top entomologists, who released 750 mosquitoes capable of carrying malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever and West Nile Virus into an enclosure.

“It kept mosquitoes from biting both the (simulated human blood) and humans up to 300 square feet for 100 hours,” said Symond.

As to longevity, the warmer (or more humid) it is, the shorter Bug Bam’s lifespan. Store in its resealable bag when not in use. Its shelf life is two years if stored in a cool, dry place.

In an area with lots of mosquitoes? For maximum effectiveness use two wristbands or hang up two Grids instead of one.

Bug Bam's Pet Tag helps protect your dog from heartworm

Dog lovers will love Bug Bam’s Pet Tag. It’s 100 percent natural and contains only EPA/FDA approved ingredients – geranium, citronella and lemongrass. It’s been scientifically proven to repel mosquitoes, fleas and ticks without using the harsh chemicals found in flea collars and topical products.

Most dog owners don’t know that mosquitoes transmit deadly heartworm, says Symond. There are no known side effects when using the Pet Tag in combination with other heartworm products.

You should give your pet regular heartworm medicine anyway, Symond said.

The Pet Tag works on scent. When you can’t smell it, it’s time to change it. If your dog reacts to it, just take it off.

A package of two Pet tags lasts about a month.

Symond wanted to get the Pet Tag tested, but wasn’t willing to deal with the “disposal” fee. Laboratories test on dogs and routinely “dispose” (euthanize) of them after testing.

Instead, Symond has veterinarians test the product.

Bug Bam’s popularity has grown worldwide. The United Nations has approved using his product for their “Roll Back Maleria” program. He’s been approached by Madonna’s organization to take it to Malawi to protect its 22 million people.

“Making something that saves peoples lives – that’s the fun part,” says Symond.

Bug Bam’s wristband is available at some Walmart stores (not all). The Pet Tag, which is new, is only available online. Wristbands retail for $3.95, the Grid for $5.95 and a package of 2 Pet tags is $7.95. Order any of these at Bugbam.com or phone 1-888-899-3308.