DEET-Free Bug Spray

Buzz Away Extreme is available in several forms to meet the needs of everyone in your family. First, our DEET-free bug spray is available in 8 ounce, 4 ounce, and 2 ounce sizes. While our 8 ounce size DEET-free bug spray offers the best overall value, our 2 ounce DEET-free insect repellent is a great choice to keep with you in your purse or to bring with you on an airplane if you are taking a trip to an area where you expect to be greeted by pesky mosquitoes and other insects.

Buzz Away Extreme is also available in convenient towelettes. Choose our 25 pack pop up for the best value, or our 12 pack of individually wrapped towelettes for DEET-free mosquito and insect protection on the go. Towelettes are great for applying squiggly kids and help you make sure you can apply coverage fully without getting any in your child’s eyes or around their mouth.

Forgot to apply Buzz Away Extreme before heading outside for a few hours? Try Buzz Away sting soothe, to soothe the pain and itching that accompanies insect bites. We also offer Itch Nix, which soothes skin after any sign of exposure to poison ivy or poison oak.

The Issues With DEET

DEET is the main component in most non-plant-based repellents. DEET is a consumer-friendly name for the chemical, N,N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide. This chemical is very effective at repelling mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and other biting insects. It has long been considered safe by the EPA and public health officials.

That said, there is a reason many families choose not to use DEET-based insect repellents, especially on their children.

There is no conclusive evidence that DEET causes health issues, but there is anecdotal evidence. DEET rapidly absorbs through the skin and reaches the bloodstream shortly after application. It can be detected in body fluids such as plasma, blood, or urine, using the same test that hospitals use to determine if a patient was poisoned. Using a DEET product along with sunscreen (which many people do), increases DEET penetration into the bloodstream, which is why sunscreen products that also contain DEET are no longer commercially available.

In a 1998 EPA publication, the EPA reported 14 to 46 cases of potential DEET-associated seizures, 4 of which resulted in death. Additionally, a Cornell University study concluded that employees who worked in the Everglades National Park, and had extensive DEET exposure, had greater incidences of insomnia, mood disturbances, and impaired cognitive function, than what was experienced by their co-workers who had reduced DEET exposure

DEET manufacturers recommend that people not use DEET under clothing, or on damaged skin, and they recommend thoroughly washing the product off after use. In 2002, Health Canada made products containing more than 30% DEET illegal for use in Canada, citing numerous health concerns. Health Canada also recommends that insect repellents with no more than 10% DEET be used on children younger than 12, and that DEET not be used at all on infants younger than 6 months.

Even if you set aside any potential health concerns, DEET is a harsh chemical by any standard. It acts as a solvent, and dissolves some watch crystals, plastics (think fishing lines, rain jackets, and tents) as well as synthetic fabrics such as rayon or spandex and painted or varnished surfaces. Spraying a DEET based product on your car can cost you the price of a new paint job.

DEET also has a negative impact on the environment, as it is toxic to fish, and has accumulated in low concentrations in major bodies of water in North America, such as the Mississippi River. Fish seem to know that it isn’t for them, as they are repelled by DEET, which is something to consider on your next fishing trip. Pack Quantum Health’s DEET-free bug spray instead for your next day on the water.

Is it any surprise that many families reject DEET, and instead choose a DEET-free insect repellent? There are alternatives to DEET, but many of the DEET-free options sold in conventional stores contain a different harsh chemical, permethrin. Permethrin is also considered to be safe by the EPA, but can cause nausea, headache, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, and seizures if the subject receives excessive exposure. It is also a known carcinogen, and women with infants are advised not to breastfeed when using products with permethrin in them.

Plant-Based Protection

The best solution is an effective, DEET-free insect repellent that is also plant-based, like Buzz Away Extreme. We formulated Buzz Away Extreme to meet the needs of families who are looking for protection from insects, mosquitoes and ticks, but don’t want to spray harsh chemicals on themselves and their children.

Buzz Away Extreme DEET-free bug spray is formulated with a unique blend of plant-based oils that are scientifically shown to repel insects, including mosquitos. Castor oil, citronella oil, cedarwood oil, peppermint oil, and other essential oils, all work together to provide the insect repellency that has made Buzz Away Extreme the DEET-free bug spray preferred by families for years, and the top-selling plant-based non-DEET mosquito repellent in natural retail stores.

Want it today?

If you have big outdoor plans that you are looking forward to, and don't have the time to receive your online order in the mail, don’t worry. Buzz Away Extreme DEET-free bug spray is found and sold in all of the top health food and natural products stores. Shop at places like Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Sprouts, Fresh Thyme, and more. Always remember to call ahead before making a trip, especially in the summer, as supplies will often go fast for the best DEET-free insect repellent on the market.