Although these additives in bug spray are quite stable and can last a long time, it is generally recommended to dispose of insect repellent after three years. This isn't necessarily because the product expires—but rather, it loses its efficacy.
Bug spray effectiveness primarily depends on its active ingredients, like DEET, Picaridin and IR3535. DEET and Picaridin have an almost infinite shelf life while IR3535 lasts around two years. Most brands recommend discarding bug spray after three years to ensure effectiveness.
DEET is a widely used repellent that deters pests by making it harder for them to smell humans. Despite being effective, it has faced controversy over potential health and environmental impacts, including skin irritation and toxicity concerns. Some countries have even banned DEET due to these risks.
Maximum protection is provided in formulations with 20 percent picaridin. Spray versions protect for up to 12 hours against mosquitoes and ticks, and up to eight hours against flies; lotion formulations last for up to 14 hours against mosquitoes and ticks, and up to eight hours against flies.
That depends largely on the active ingredient in the bug spray (the poison) and whether it is oil or water based. Some insecticides can last between days and weeks. Others start losing their strength as soon as they start drying out.
On the higher end, bug spray with DEET or picaridin can last up to three years when stored properly. On the lower end, such as sprays made with essential oils, effectiveness tops out at about a year. The most common active ingredients in bug spray include DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Pest control treatments often target specific pests, disrupting their nests and colonies. In response to the disturbance, insects may scatter, seeking new hiding spots within the home. This migration can lead to a temporary increase in pest visibility as they adjust to the altered environment.
DEET and PMD products were the best and most long-lasting at keeping mosquitoes away, the researchers found. Their results suggested that picaridin products can be somewhat effective, though less so than DEET and PMD.
How does DEET work? DEET works to confuse and interfere with the receptors on a mosquito's antennae, which deters mosquitoes from landing on the skin and biting. These receptors are used to detect body heat, carbon dioxide and skin chemicals when seeking out prey.
As for the repellent, it usually lasts six to eight hours. If it hasn't worn off by bedtime, you'll want to wash it off with soap and water, as it can be irritating if left on overnight.
People that have swallowed products containing DEET have experienced stomach upset, vomiting, and nausea. Very rarely, exposure to DEET has been associated with seizures in people.
Studies have shown that Picaridin is effective, safe and has fewer unpleasant qualities than DEET. Picaridin is odorless, does not melt plastics, or feel oily on skin.
Citing human health reasons, Health Canada barred the sale of insect repellents for human use that contained more than 30% DEET in a 2002 re-evaluation "based on a human health risk assessment that considered daily application of DEET over a prolonged period of time".
To avoid overexposure, be sure to remove DEET product before going to bed (shower or use a wash cloth to remove from skin).
Deep Woods Insect Repellent V has a shelf life of 2-3 years if stored in a cool dry place.
Very often, people don't wash the product off their skin after returning indoors. This can result in overexposure, especially in cases where a product is applied too often (at short intervals) or daily for several days. A small amount of DEET is absorbed into the body when applied to the skin.
Blood Types Mosquitoes Love Most
Type B: Type B placed second in popularity. Type A: Type A Blood Type apparently tastes the worst to mosquitoes. The study found that those with Blood Type A are 50% less likely to receive a mosquito bite than those with Type O.
There is simply no evidence taking vitamin B will offer any significant protection from mosquito bites. In reality, if there was even moderate scientific evidence that taking a vitamin supplement could prevent mosquito bites, our supermarket shelves would be full of “mosquito repellent pills”.
Mosquitoes are turned off by several natural scents, including citronella, peppermint, cedar, catnip, patchouli, lemongrass, lavender and more. You can add some of these plants to your landscaping to fend them off.
N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) remains the standard by which all other repellents are judged.
Avon's Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin, a dedicated insect repellent spray, performed reasonably well against ticks and mosquitoes; it is in the middle of the pack of the 53 repellent products we tested.
PICARIDIN: This relatively new CDC-recommended active ingredient offers the same level of protection that people have come to expect from DEET in formulas that feel a little lighter and cleaner. It's a synthetic repellent compound that mimics the effects of piperine, which is found in plants that produce black pepper.
As Scientific American explains, this repulsion is simply the way our bodies have evolved to protects us from perceived dangers, even if the danger isn't always really there: “We are taught to be careful as children; we are cautioned that wasps will sting us, that flies carry diseases, and that beetles can bite.
However, most pest control services recommend quarterly visits (a minimum of four times - once every three months) spread out throughout the year to ensure you're fully protected from pests and rodents.
Typically, cockroaches stay away following a treatment or service, but sometimes these pests may return with a vengeance! Keep reading to learn more about recuring cockroach infestations and what you can do to prevent these pests from returning.