Q. Can I use Maggie’s Farm Natural Insect Repellent on my pet?
A. Yes, our natural insect repellent is labeled for use on animals such as dogs, horses, and other animals, but cannot be used on cats, birds, or reptiles (as these animals are more sensitive to the plant oils in the product). As with any repellent product, it is important to follow the label's "Directions for Use" carefully.
Q. How often do I need to reapply the Maggie’s Farm Insect Repellent to protect against mosquito bites?
A. We recommend reapplying it every 2 hours or as needed
Q. What are the ingredients in Maggie’s Farm Natural Insect Repellent?
A. We’ve formulated a DEET-free alternative to conventional insect repellents using these botanical oils as the active ingredients: corn oil, soybean oil, geraniol, lemongrass oil, citronella oil, and clove oil, which all work very well at killing and repelling many kinds of bugs! The inert ingredients include isopropyl alcohol, glycerin, hemp seed oil, Vitamin E, and nitrogen (propellant).
See the Maggie’s Farm Natural Insect Repellent label for a full list of active and inert ingredients.
Maggie’s Farm Natural Insect Repellent vs. DEET
DEET has been around as a bug repellent since the 1950s, and is the most popular insect repellent worldwide. If you use it as directed (which includes keeping it away from eyes, mouth, and children’s hands, and washing excess DEET off of skin after coming indoors), it is considered safe for human use. Note that an August 2009 study conducted in France revealed that DEET may have toxic effects not only on the nervous systems of insects, but also of mammals. There are also reports of some rashes and seizures, and evidence to suggest that extended exposure to DEET over a long time is linked to mood disorders, higher rates of insomnia, and impaired cognitive function.
Natural insect repellent with essential oils
On the other hand, there is an extensive list of essential oils that boasts the natural properties of being effective insect killers and repellents, including Cedarwood, Tea Tree, Geranium, Rosemary, Lemongrass, Citronella, Eucalyptus and Cinnamon. Maggie’s Farm has taken the guesswork out of creating a natural insect repellent, in an easy to use aerosol, so you don’t have to worry about experimenting with a bunch of home remedies.
Q. Does this work on more than flying insects?
A. Yes! Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective Natural Insect Repellent is designed mainly to kill and repel mosquitoes, but it is also effective against ticks and other nuisance pests. It is intended to be used as a personal insect repellent, but not as a surface or area spray. Apply to skin (arms, legs, neck, face, etc.) as the label recommends. It is also labeled for use on dogs, horses, and other animals, excluding cats, birds, and reptiles.
If you are looking for an effective yard/area spray to use to control flying insects outdoors, we recommend our Maggie’s Farm Mosquito Fogger, Maggies’s Farm Yard Bug Spray, Maggie’s Farm Mosquito & Tick Killer, and our Maggie’s Farm Flying Insect Killer. For indoor use, we recommend Flying Insect Killer and our Maggie’s Farm Home Bug Spray.