Summer is on the horizon, which means it’s time for backyard barbecues, outdoor adventures, and all their accompanying bug bites. Flies, ticks, mosquitoes, and other blood-sucking insects aren’t just a nuisance. Those that transmit diseases—from chikungunya to Rocky Mountain spotted fever—present a serious public health threat.
Found in most commercial bug sprays, DEET is a synthetic repellent that was developed for the US military in the 1940s and came into commercial use in the 1950s. It’s widely considered to be the most consistently effective active ingredient for keeping bugs at bay. However, while most people can use DEET-based products without negative consequences, some experience skin rashes, nausea, eye irritation, and more, especially when using the product in its long-lasting higher concentrations. Furthermore, DEET damages plastic and synthetic gear, and doesn’t easily degrade in naturally occurring bodies of water, meaning it persists in aquatic ecosystems.
Fortunately for today’s fans of natural products, there are several alternatives out there, and the options are getting stronger every year. | 
