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Insect Repellents - The main active ingredients
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DEET
Insect
Repellents
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DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide) is a very effective insect repellent developed in 1946. DEET still forms the active part in most insect repellents and as such is the most used insect repellent chemical worldwide.
Advantages: proven effectiveness at preventing bites, can remain effective for several hours. The use of micro-encapsulation technology has resulted in some almost odourless repellents.
Disadvantages: oily feel, causes irritation to eyes, lips and other sensitive areas; is absorbed by skin: can cause skin reaction with some users; damages several common plastics and fabrics; less effective in low concentrations, increased reaction risk in high concentrations; strong 'chemical' smell. |
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| Insect Repellent |
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Type |
Active Ingredient |
Special Features |
Suitability |
| Mosquito Milk |
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Roll-on |
DEET (20%) plus plant extracts |
Easy to apply and pleasant to use. Non sticky. Much liked by loyal user base. |
For children (3yrs+) and adults. |
| Endurance Spray |
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Spray Repellent |
DEET (20%) |
Apply and forget - micro-encapsulation means long lasting, slow release for up to 12 hrs. Easy to use spray application. |
Very long lasting - all day protection. |
| Endurance Cream |
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Cream Repellent |
DEET (34.34%) |
Micro-encapsulation means long lasting, slow release for up to 12 hrs. |
Handy size, low odour, lasts well, for children (6mts+). |
| Ultrathon Cream |
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Cream Repellent |
DEET (34.34%) |
Micro-encapsulation means long lasting, slow release over a long period. |
Handy size, low odour, lasts well. |
| Expedition 100 PLUS |
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Spray Repellent |
DEET (95%) |
Dual action formula of DEET plus natural oils for stopping the insects that land from biting. Protects for 10+ hours. |
Maximum strength for tropics & Jungle |
| Expedition 50 PLUS |
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Spray Repellent |
DEET (50%) |
Dual action formula of DEET plus natural oils for stopping the insects that land from biting. Protects for up to 10 hours. |
General purpose, strong stuff for tropics & Jungle |
| Expedition 50 |
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Spray Repellent |
DEET (50%) |
Reliable repellent protection for up to 8 hours. The name says it all - Expedition. |
General purpose, effective & strong |
| Midge Repellent |
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Spray Repellent |
DEET (50%) |
Contains DEET plus Myrtle and other plant extracts. Tested and proven by SafariQuip. |
The midge-infested wilderness |
| Repel Insect Repellent |
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Spray Repellent |
DEET (52.25%) |
Powerful and reliable, long lasting. A higher concentration than most. |
Budget general purpose for tropics and jungle. |
| Repel 100 |
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Spray Repellent |
DEET (95%) |
Very powerful and long lasting. Use sparingly as this is the maximum concentration made. |
As strong as it gets! |
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Picaridine
Insect
Repellents
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Picaridin, (KBR 3023, Icaridin, Bayrepel, Saltidin, Piparidine) This insect repellent has been available worldwide since 1998. It is recommended by the World Health Organisation and reported by them as having comparable or superior repellent properties to DEET.
Advantages: repels a wide range of insects and ticks; doesn't cause skin irritation; doesn't dissolve plastics and fabrics; almost odourless; non oily; safe for young children (2 yrs); low toxicity.
Disadvantages: less common than other products; name difficult to remember; may need to be re-applied every 6-8 hours depending on concentration.
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Natural
Insect
Repellents
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Natural insect repellents are usually based on the essential oils of either Citronella or Lemon Eucalyptus. Citriodiol (Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus) formulations have improved the effectiveness and reduced the need for frequent re-application helping natural repellents to become popular.
Advantages: non-sticky; non-toxic and environmentally friendly; safer on sensitive skins and some can be used on children as young as 3 months; reduced irritation; harmless to most plastics and fabrics.
Disadvantages: more expensive; may need more frequent re-application to maintain full protection. |
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| Insect Repellent |
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Type |
Active Ingredient |
Special Features |
Suitability |
| Mosi-Guard Insect Repellent |
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Cream, Spray, Stick, Roll-on. |
Citriodiol (eucalyptus) |
Natural, non-toxic, effective. Safe for children over 3 months & on sensitive skin. Harmless to plastics and clothing. |
Excellent general purpose, lasts well. Safe for children (3mths). |
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Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid
Insect
Repellents
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Pyrethrins are naturally-occurring compounds with insecticidal and repellent properties that are found in pyrethrum extract from certain chrysanthemum flowers.
Pyrethroids are manufactured chemicals that are very similar in structure to the pyrethrins, but are often more powerful and longer lasting.
Advantages: safer to use on children, pets and plants; biodegradable; considered safe in normal use - low toxicity to mammals; does not accumulate in the body; generally harmless to clothing and plastics. Disadvantages: harmful to fish and amphibians. |
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| Insect Repellent |
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Type |
Active Ingredient |
Special Features |
Suitability |
| PreVent Spray |
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Spray Repellent |
Pyrethrins (1.0% w/w) |
Spray-on insect repellent provides protection for up to 6 hours. Compact and handy spray. Fine on children and clothes. |
Small & compact, ideal for pocket or bag. OK for children. |
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Associated Products
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Insect Killers For when you need to clear a room or tent of insects before retiring to bed. Or perhaps you're having a barbeque and would like to eat not be eaten.
Bite Relief If you forget your repellent or are unlucky and still get bitten then the products below will help ease the discomfort and swelling. These will also work for stings.
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| Insect Repellent |
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Type |
Active Ingredient |
Special Features |
Suitability |
| Mosquito Coils |
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Repellent smoke |
Bioallethrin (pyrethroid) |
Slow burning, produces a light smoke which repels/kills mosquitoes and other insects. |
No power supply, open space, clearing room or tent. |
| Citronella (9hr) Candle's |
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Repellent smoke |
Citronella |
Special high-melting point wax. Last for up to 9 hours. Fragrant and traditional. |
No power supply, open space, indoors or tent. |
| Portable Mosquito Killer |
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Portable Mosqito Killer |
Pyrethroid |
Releases an odourless scent harmless to humans but deadly for insects. Uses batteries. |
Large tents & rooms without a power supply. |
| Mosqui Go Duo |
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Plug-in Repellent |
Prallethrin (pyrethroid) |
Plugs into sockets and slowly releases repellent all night long. |
Power supply, indoors. |
| ZapperClick |
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Electric bite pain neutraliser |
N/A |
Uses a small electric shock to provide instant relief to a bitten area. It works! |
Handy relief. |
| Bite & Sting Relief |
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Roll-On Relief |
Witch Hazel Extract |
Uses a witch hazel extract to provide effective and fast relief from bites and strings. |
Bites and stings from flying insects |
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Why we don't stock some products.
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Ultrasonic Mosquito Repllents Widely sold electronic ultrasonic mosquito and insect repelling gadgets sound a great idea but all the evidence is they don't work.
Repellent Wrist and Ankle Bands Put on and the mosquitoes stay away is the claim, but is keeping a band soaked in harmful toxic chemicals pressed against your wrists and ankles a good idea?
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| Insect Repellent |
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Type |
Active Ingredient |
Special Features |
Suitability |
| Ultrasonic Mosquito Repellents |
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Electronic |
High frequency sound |
Numerous scientific studies have shown electric ultrasonic repellents don't work. View summary study. |
None.
Don't waste your money. |
| Repellent Wrist & Ankle Bands |
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Wrist or Ankle Band |
High Conc. DEET |
DEET is absorbed through the skin and toxic. Avoid continuous contact with strong concentrations on wrist bands. |
Not for children. Use with caution. |
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