I still remember hiking to the top of Douglas Mountain last spring. We were out numbered by mosquitoes 1,000 to 1. It was challenging and required that we stay in constant motion to minimize the swarms. Our stay at the top was brief as the bugs were relentless so we headed back down after only a few quick pictures. The memory hasn’t faded over the past year. I think Hitchcock should have done a movie on mosquitoes instead of birds. They’re far more terrifying.
Fighting off black flies and mosquitoes is as much a part of spring and summer in Maine as is swimming in the lake or eating lobster. When the weather gets nice, the bugs come out. And, if the flying insects weren’t enough, tick season kicks in and you don’t want those little guys anywhere near you. Since we have animals, we have to be especially vigilant. We had so many one year, I made a “tick jar” full of rubbing alcohol to kill any ticks that got carried into the house on the pup.
I’m out hiking in the Maine woods a lot and bug spray that works is critical. I have been searching for DEET free bug spray since my girls were young. Who wants to put chemicals on their children? I’ve found a few along the way that have worked okay but nothing that I’m loyal too. Recently, I came across a bug spray made right here in Maine. It is Bugaroo by Good Natured BrandTM.
They’ve received high praise in the press. They recently placed in the top three out of ten all-natural insect repellents tested by Wiki.ezvid.com in their video review. Their cleaning and laundry products have also scored on the highest, green tier of Whole Foods’ Eco-scale. I’m always on the lookout for all natural alternatives, and this one seems worth a try. The ingredients listed on the bottle are: citronella oil, lemongrass oil, cedar oil, rosemary oil, water and vinegar.
I haven’t been able to fully test out Bugaroo Bug Spray’s effectiveness yet as the mosquitoes are still planning their attack strategy while they wait for warmer weather. But, the bug spray did have a nice smell when I tested it on my wrists. At first it had a strong citronella burst, but that faded quickly and left a more subtle pleasant scent on my skin. What I especially liked is that it wasn’t greasy. I’ve tried some DEET alternatives that are so greasy you’d almost rather get bit than put on the bug spray.
In addition to the bug spray Good Natured makes a line of all-natural laundry and personal care items. The demand for their eco-friendly products is growing steadily and they are managing their growth in a thoughtful, sustained manner. They just selected a few regional distributors and will be expanding into more stores in the near future. They also started selling on amazon. The packaging on their products is especially nice with a uniform look and feel that is welcoming and eye-catching.
As black fly and mosquito season will be here any day now, I’m sure I’ll have plenty of chances to use my Bugaroo. I’m going to store it in my hiking “go” bag so I don’t have any more mishaps like last year’s Douglas Mountain experience. You can’t face those blood suckers without the proper defense and I’m hoping that Bugaroo will be my protector this season.
Have you ever used an all-natural bug spray? Did it work well for you?
Resources
“Top 10 Natural Bug Sprays of 2017 | Video Review.” Ezvid wiki reviews globe. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.
“Sustainable growth planned for Good Natured Brand.” Mainebiz. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.
| things to know | |
|---|---|
| Name | Good Natured Brand |
| Location | 174 Cash Street South Portland Maine, 04106 |
| Phone | 888-950-4726 |
| info@goodnaturedbrand.com | |
| Website | Good Natured Brand |
| Favorite ♥ | DEET Free Bug Spray |
Weekends in Maine 
I haven’t tried any all natural sprays – How effective has it been. I must confess, I always think the chemical stuff probably is more effective and so stick with Off. But I haven’t really given it a lot of thought. I do like the smell of Citronella – we’ve used the lanterns in our backyard before.
Thanks for the interesting read.
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I’ll be testing it out soon. Spring is mosquito season here in Maine. I’ll have to do an update once I’ve used it for a bit. I’m hoping it works. I’m not crazy about DEET.
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Mosquito season is terrible. I haven’t tried the all-natural bug spray. I had a friend that carried bounce sheet in his pockets and he claimed that the repelled the mosquitos. I don’t know if I buy it, and I haven’t actually tried it. However, the mosquitos did stay away from him and he smelled good. Great post, thanks for sharing.
Girlfriend
Shari
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I’ve heard that about dryer sheets too, but I’m not sure I’d want to carry them around although when mosquitoes are out in force who knows. Anything to stop them for biting! WeekendsInMaine
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Your description of the mosquito attack reminded me of when we went on holidays (in Western Australia) in the middle of Summer and were swarmed by bush flies – little, sticky, annoying, bitey flies – it really was a bit of a mood killer – especially when you were hot and sweaty!
Leanne | cresting the hill
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It’s definitely a mood killer when surrounded by anything that bites! I’m hopeful the Bugaroo will help keep the mosquitoes at bay on my spring hikes.
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I have been on the look out for an all natural bug spray. Thanks for the rec! Simply Infatuated
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Fortunately, there are more options these days for all natural, deet-free sprays and lotions. I’m excited to try out Bugaroo.
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Mosquitoes make life miserable.
I like Citronella spray.
We have a special incense-stick i.e. Agarbatti made out of natural products that smells awesome & wards away Mosquitoes, without being injurious to our health.
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They really are unpleasant. An incense stick sounds great. We use to use something like that when I was younger and we would go to the drive-in although I’m not sure it was all natural.
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Mosquitoes are definitely a mood killer and sometimes literal killers as well – I grew up in West Africa in the 70’s and cerebral malaria was always something our parents were very frightened of. Did use an insect repellent, a cream from a tube, can’t remember name but I think it was citronella and eucalyptus based. A long time ago now.
Nilanjana
Madly-in-Verse
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Yes, unfortunately, they can be literal killers. We don’t have too much of an issue with it up in Maine although every year eastern equine encephalitis makes it’s rounds and sometimes gets as far north as Maine. I remember when we traveled to Costa Rica having to take medication to protect against malaria. It is scary to think of mosquitoes transferring these illnesses since in warmer climates they are everywhere. Having effective bug spray and protection is so important.
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Sounds a bit hideous to be honest: mossies don’t really operate much in Cornwall, UK but in May/June we are mithered to death by horse flies!
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Horse flies are no fun either! I sometimes encounter them at the beach. I’m hoping the Bugaroo will help with those too.
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Oh keep us posted.
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It is mosquito season in my city right around the corner. I liked your description and writing style. I haven’t tried any spray’s repellent only the electric dispensers… it works alright for now.
Thanks for sharing!
Best Wishes!
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I’ve never tried the electric dispensers. Glad to hear they are working for you.
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Great thst your are supporting small local businesses with your blog.
A to Z Theme: Sharing Family History via #GenealogyPhotoADay.
By Fran from TravelGenee Blog
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I love how the buy local movement has been growing. It’s always fun to learn what local entrepreneurs and artisans are doing in your area.
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We get to New England after the black fly season. I remember when we lived in Australia, how annoying the flies were in the outback. They weren’t biters though, like the black flies. Just tried to get in your ears, eyes, mouth, and nose.
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Black flies are so annoying too. It’s good you get to New England after the season is done.
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When we were in Upstate New York staying with friends last year we climbed White Face and I was bitten on the back of the neck by those black flies. It took a few days but they became very itchy. I laughed when our American friend said I was now a true Mountain woman.
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I wish we got this in our country.
We really need it 🙂
A Peice Of My Life
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Mosquitoes and other annoying flies do seem to like it when the weather gets warm.
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Love your reviews! I’m glad to see that someone else is considering the social and environmental impact in their purchases and sharing their findings in reviews / posts.
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Thank you. I’m also glad to see that environmental impact is become much more important to people. I think things are trending in the right direction.
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