Educational Series: Bug Repellent

Here at Rainwater Farm, we love summer and the warm weather it brings, as well as the farmer's markets and craft fairs that come with it. However, there is one thing about summer that we for sure don't like -- the insects and bug bites it brings along with it. Thankfully, though, we have a few things up our sleeves to help combat these pesky little critters, so if you're someone who needs help fighting bugs like us, read on to see what we love to use.

Camper Soap

This was the first of our bug repellent products. Although you may be confused as to how a soap can keep bugs away, it's really quite simple. The essential oils we put in this bar soap help to repel bugs. As you shower with it, the essential oils permeate your skin and are absorbed into your body. When used regularly, your body builds up its stores of the essential oils, which then naturally repel insects when outside. 

Our Camper Soap is perfect for our customers who are mosquito magnets -- people who can't go out to the mailbox without getting bit by mosquitoes. Using the camper soap helps to provide constant defense without having to reapply bug repellent each and every time you step outside. If out for a long time, though, especially in those long summer evenings, our mosquito magnets may want to double up with our Bug Repellent Spray as well.

Bug Repellent Spray

Though our Bug Repellent Spray was something I threw together in a frenzy at my daughter's graduation party, we've heard from customers time and time again about how amazingly effective it is. Our Bug Repellent Spray is made using the same essential oils as our Camper Soap, providing all-natural and non-toxic protection from pests. This is in contrast to conventional bug repellents made with DEET. According to the CDC, many safety precautions should be taken when using DEET, such as not applying to any broken skin, using the minimum amount necessary, not applying underneath clothing, and washing the DEET off as soon as possible to prevent complications and irritation. This all points to the fact that DEET can be very harmful to the human body and skin. However, none of our products contain ingredients that are unsafe for your skin. In fact, the reverse is true: our products are actually beneficial for your skin and body! 

Bug Repellent Stick

Being the strongest of our bug repellent products, the Bug Repellent Stick is perfect for hikers, campers, all-day gardeners, and anyone else out in nature for long periods of time. The base of our Bug Repellent Stick is the same as our Silken Skin Conditioner, but the essential oils we put in it are identical to our other bug repellent products. The lotion bar can simply be rubbed onto the skin and provides strong, long-lasting defense against insects such as mosquitoes, chiggers, and ticks. And because of its base, it's moisturizing as an added bonus!

Listen to me talk more about our bug repellent products and how they came to be in this video: