Joseph's Blog :: Bug Bam Mosquito Repelling Products

The truth about NATURAL mosquito repellents

UPDATE JULY 4th 2009

It seems we've ruffled a few feathers in outing the 'Geraniol' based repellents here. These guys SHOULD be worried.

To add to my earlier comments, and contrary to what is being advertised by a certain company with a similar name to ours, Geraniol products are widely available under various brand names and, as such, the ingredient Geraniol is not exclusively licensed to any one company or person. I've even recently been approached someone trying to sell me a spray 'pen' to label with my brand using Geraniol ingredients, but the only efficacy data they could provide me with was from the University of Florida in 1999. Nothing recent, and nothing at all relevant to what they were selling. They couldn't even tell me how long it would work for (if it did at all).

And remember, don't be fooled by the term 'naturally derived'. Geraniol is a man-made chemical produced by scientists in a lab. If it were all natural, then it stands to reason these products would be advertised and marketed as 'all-natural'. And they aren't. This says a lot!

So always ask for the scientific evidence supporting that the product actually works in the format you're buying it in. If it works as a spray, who says it works as a wristband?? Where's the proof?

At Bug Bam, we publicly display our scientific proof that our products are effective in the form they are sold to the customer. We don't try and fool our customers by showing someone else's 'arm in cage' tests using a liquid formula and then try and sell our wristband with that same formula in it pretending that it works. That's called a 'bait and switch' in the world of shady sales.

And if the company who makes that product can't support its efficacy, then question it's authenticity and stay away!

March 6 2009

Bug season is upon us once again, and I felt it timely to comment on the growing number of supposedly ‘natural’ insect repelling products that seem to be popping up everywhere we look.

As a consumer, you will see many advertisements for natural repellents, and must be aware that there are many ‘marketing’ companies looking for any way via which to squeeze your valuable dollar from you. They have no business being in the world of insect repellents, but due to the value of the market (approximately $1 billion in the USA alone), they cannot resist expanding their core business (which is usually consumer products, air fresheners or cleaning supplies) to now include repellents in an attempt to swindle a share of this valuable market.

US VS. THEM

CITRONELLA: On its own, Citronella proves to be a fairly ineffective repellent. We include Citronella as just one of our ingredients (as many of our customers believe that is what works for them), but without the additional ingredients we use to make Bug Bam most effective, Citronella on its own is just not good enough. And now, there are several companies all buying CHEAP citronella wristbands from the same factories in China. The companies selling these products are taking the short road in an attempt to 'jump on the bandwagon' of natural repellents. Don't be fooled. These products are not tested or proven to work, and they are all made with synthetic ingredients and, ultimately, could injure or harm you or your family. Brands include Mosquito Band, Red Sun, and PIC. All of these products are dirt cheap. But none of the companies that sell these products can provide any evidence that they actually repel as advertised.

GERANIOL: In 1999, the University of Florida (Gainesville) developed a ‘naturally derived’ formula for repelling mosquitoes called ‘Geraniol’. It is a derivative of the Geranium flower and, when applied to the skin in its liquid form (exactly like DEET), was proven to repel mosquitoes for up to 4 hours. Geraniol is manufactured synthetically in a laboratory to avoid the high cost of extracting the 100% natural ingredient from the flower itself and to ensure that it is perfectly replicated each time. This eventually leads to ‘immunity’ built up by mosquitoes as they commonly become immune to ‘man-made’ repellents and pesticides in 3 to 4 life cycles.

Geraniol also has a terrible smell associated with it and, as a result of growing complaints from consumers, additional ingredients such as mint or citronella are often added to Geraniol products to mask the pungent Geraniol scent and contribute to the perception that the product is 'natural'.

Today, as more and more consumers seek out natural products to protect themselves, their families and their pets from the threat of disease carrying insects, a number of ‘marketing’ companies have entered into agreements with the University of Florida to use Geraniol as the foundation of their range of ‘natural’ insect repellents.

Despite the fact that Geraniol has only been tested to work in liquid form for up to 4 hours (and video tests show that it only protects that part of the body it is applied to (just like DEET), these companies are selling '120 hour ' wristbands, patches, candles, tablecloths and more using Geraniol (with mint or citronella to mask the odor) and claiming that these products work to repel mosquitoes and other insects. You will see these products heavily marketed on television and elsewhere, but never in mainstream retail stores (i.e. Wal-Mart) where the guarantee of high returns from unsatisfied customers is too risky. Don’t be misled.

BUG BAM: Personally developed by Joseph M. Symond first in 1998 and then reformulated in 2005, the Bug Bam formula is truly 100% natural, using only 100% natural essential oils. Joseph personally worked with perfumers, scientists and others to develop the perfect combination of efficacy and appealing scent. As a result,the Bug Bam formula has been scientifically proven time and again (by the top laboratories in both Australia and the USA) to work in both liquid AND solid forms, making it THE most effective natural repellent available on the market today. Not only does it work, but it is safe for all ages, lasts for up to 100 hours and smells GREAT by comparison to anything else on the market.

Playing on the fact that masking our scent from flying, biting insects keeps them away, Bug Bam’s formula – in liquid OR solid form – releases a (pleasant) scent that is strong enough to hide the user from mosquitoes and other flying, biting insects. And because the Bug Bam formula actually does come from ‘live’ plants and not a lab, every batch we make has a slight difference to the last due to soil, air, water and climate changes before harvesting. This makes it very hard if not impossible for mosquitoes to adapt to.

Bug Bam is THE ONLY company in the world that can boast a scientifically tested and proven range of 100% natural indoor and outdoor repellent products that are safe, effective and do not require sprays, batteries, smoke, flames, butane or a power source of any kind.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Play it smart. Protect yourself from more than just bugs and ask for evidence supporting a products efficacy. If a company is selling a repellent wristband, candle, fan, patch, tablecloth or other item, ask them for testing data that supports their formula working in a THAT product. And ask if this is their core business. If all they can provide you with is an outdated lab report or data showing that (someone else’s) formula works in a liquid or spray form only, and they are asking you to buy their product using that formula in a solid form (such as a wristband), TAKE YOUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE and purchase something that has actually been proven to work!

We pride ourselves on the fact that BUGS ARE OUR BUSINESS 24/7. Bug Bam is all we do and it is not a side business for us. Because of companies offering inferior products, Bug Bam has been forced to prove itself time and time again and, despite the great expense of doing so, our products come through with flying colors.

It is important for us to be honest and factual to you, the consumer, if we expect to gain your business and, most importantly your trust. When it comes to protecting yourself and your family, and you want to use something TRULY natural and effective, try Bug Bam.

Mosquitoes after the floods

by Joseph M. Symond

July 10, 2008

Over the past few months or so, the upper and mid-western states of the US have been hammered with record rain and floods right into the summer season. These massive amounts of water, combined with the dirt, debris, animal carcass', trash and other materials floating in the remains of homes, businesses, hotels and other affected premises, have given the survivors of these flood zones much to contend with as the water subsides.

One of the major problems currently being faced by rescue workers and locals alike is the inundation of very aggressive mosquitoes. Some reports estimate the mosquito population in these flood-torn areas as high as 20 times more than the same period last year. And although these particular mosquitoes currently do not carry any disease (such as West Nile Virus), it is predicted that, as per the timing of WNV each year, this could well turn into a catastrophe rivaling the floods themselves.

Traditionally, rescue workers in areas affected by mosquitoes would plaster themselves with a well known, but potentially dangerous chemical called DEET. Found in most popular insect repellents, DEET has been proven effective since World War II in keeping mosquitoes away and comes in either a spray, lotion or gel form. However, in situations such as this, where the very people who need protection are forced to work in and around water for days, weeks and months, DEET easily washes away from skin and clothing, leaving the wearer without any protection at all. In fact, any repellent in liquid form will do the same thing - no matter how well it works.

Not only does a product such as Bug Bam offer protection when wet or dry, but it removes the concerns of toxic chemicals (such as DEET) being added to the aready dirtied landscape. In fact, when a Bug Bam wristband or grid has expired (after 100 hours),it can be easily recycled by sending it back to the manufacturer. Something no other repellent on the market can offer.

So if you're one of the many thousands affected by these floods, related to someone who is, or kindly helping those that are, remember that a liquid repellent not only needs re-application every 2 to 3 hours, but loses all effectiveness as soon as you get it wet. Bug Bam keeps working for you whether it's wet or dry. Perfect for the post-flood cleanup.

DEET in our Drinking Water?

By Joseph M. Symond

June 26 2008

Some alarming news came across my desk today and I wanted all of you to know about it.

If you thought DEET was dangerous before, your toes will curl after you read this article by the Chicago Sun Times and reprinted by the Dept of Homeland Security.

Feel free to forward this newsletter on to as many people as possible and let them know.
DEET in your drinking water?

What Everyone Needs to Know

Every year, 100 million Americans slather on insect repellant to enjoy their outdoor barbecues, picnics and activities without getting bitten or stung. However, in the repellants used by about one-third of the U.S. population is a powerful chemical commonly known as DEET.

DEET, a neurotoxin, has been detected in lakes and rivers.

And as soon as you come inside and wash DEET from your skin and clothing (something the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends you do right away), that DEET gets washed down the drain, and is now showing up in rivers and lakes.

According to testing done for the Chicago Sun-Times, DEET is also present in your drinking water.

Though the amounts detected were low -- 8.3 parts per trillion -- the testing was done during March, when insect repellant use was still low. And according to some experts, this is still cause for alarm.

"This raises a red flag. [When] you have so many people using it, the risk is there," Mohamed Abou-Dania, a professor at Duke University, told the Sun-Times.

DEET is a Neurological Toxin
What makes the finding of DEET in drinking water so concerning is the fact that DEET is potentially very toxic, particularly to children. While the EPA maintains that the chemical is safe when used correctly, studies have shown that when used in high amounts, or for long periods of time, DEET is far from safe.

Up to one-third of the U.S. population uses DEET-containing insect repellants.

DEET has been shown to cause nervous-system damage, including:

    * Insomnia

    * Mood changes

    * Disorientation and clumsiness when walking

    * Seizures

    * Coma

    * Even death

And according to studies by Abou-Dania, while lab rats had no reaction to DEET when it was used for 30 days, after 60 days their brain cells started to die.

Adding to the problem is the fact that DEET does not degrade quickly, nor does it breakdown much as it passes through sewage or drinking-water treatment plants.

Scientists are worried that DEET may collect in the sediment of streams and prove toxic to birds, fish and other wildlife.

Bug Bam repels insects from your backyard using only the scent of natural plant oils and contains NO DEET.

"A little bit seems to go a long way in the environment," said Dana W. Kolpin, a research hydrologist with the Geological Survey in Iowa City, Ia., in the Sun-Times.