I'm Looking for a Bug Spray and a Sunscreen That Are Natural and Really Work!

I use AVON Bug guard plus, it is safe for the whole family and has SPF from 15-30. The kids one has a disappearing color when you rub it in and SPF 30. No DEET or Picardin, it has something called IR 3535...hope that helps:)

Here is a copy of what I found - hope this helps!
J.
Mosquito spray.....

I can't wait to try this in the summer!

I was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared.
The next year I filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes. And voila! That worked as well. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby.
During the summer, I don't leave home without it.....Pass it on.
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OUR FRIEND'S COMMENTS:
I tried this on my deck and around all of my doors. It works - in fact, it killed them instantly. I bought my bottle from Target and it cost me $1.89. It really doesn't take much, and it is a big bottle, too; so it is not as expensive to use as the can of spray you buy that doesn't last 30 minutes. So, try this, please. It will last a couple of days. Don't spray directly on a wood door (like your front door), but spray around the frame. Spray around the window frames, and even inside the dog house

As for the insect repellant: Bug Mace works and is safe for kids, pets and the environment. It is fairly spendy, but worth it. I buy ours from bugmace.com.

As for the sunscreen: we use Earth's Best. Again it is relativley expensive, but all natural and no parabans. Good luck!.

Check out Californa Baby products. They make a good, natural sunscreen and also a citronella bug repellant that is all natural. Just google California baby sunscreen. Also, check out www.safescosmetics.org to find other good ones if you have trouble finding california baby products. This site does private research on cosmetics, lotions, etc. and will give you good info on what products contain harmful chemicals and such.

Hi T.

You've gotten a lot of good suggestions and I hope you give some feedback on what works for you.
I don't have a suggestion for sunscreen, but in my area we have an issue with gnats. I have found 100% pure Vanilla extract...right out of the pantry is a good repellent. I usually just rub a little on my boys' ears, neck, face and sometimes I'll put a little in their hair. The gnats stay away and the boys smell yummy! I can't say that it repels mosquitoes, but I've always had success using it for gnats.
Good luck.

I've heard that mixing equal parts 100% pure vanilla extract (the kind from mexico) and Aloe works. I have not tried this myself. You could also get a permethrin spray for their shoes and clothes.

I thinks Burts Bees makes a suncreen. I don't really know much about it but Burts is supposed to be natural.

Try looking at an organic/health food store for suncreen and bug spray. You may find something you haven't seen at the usual places.

HI T.,

I just started using TruKid Products and I absolutely LOVE them! Everything is Natural and that is why I love their products so much! The web address is trukid.com

I am an AVON rep so naturally I use their products but they have a sunsreen/bug spray all in one... they also have the picaridin that you wnated. I can assist you with getting that if you want. just contact me at www.youravon.com/cdietrick

Hi T.
I am M.. I found health and wellness products in Oct of 2005. I have been using them since. They have suncscreen and I have used their products for a bug spray. They have different recipes I use for different purposes regarding bugs. I have used them on me and around where I sit when outside. I would use nothing else. My sons tried a deet product once right after using these other products and it made them sick. Tea Tree Oil is the main ingredient with most of these products and it really works. I have found the cost is very reasonable and I order direct. Let me know if you would like more information.

Just want to let you know look for sunscreen that protects from UVA and UVB rays otherwise it truly is not helping you.

The consumer reports just did test on all the sunscreens (in the states) and found out that the expansive ones ($20 and up) did not work as well or any better then the $10 and cheaper brands... Here are a few of the top ones: No-Ad Sunblock Lotion Maximum SPF 45, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55 (the best on the market!), Blue Lizard Suncream Sensitive SPF 30+
for more info check out this link... http://www.consumersearch.com/www/family/sunscreen/compar...

Consumer reports also found out that the spray sunscreen does not get an even cover so does not works as well... so even though it is convenient it does not protect as well as the same brand in a cream.

Try Burt's Bee, you can get it at Whole Foods. Good Luck!

http://www.soapourri.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=...
This Skeeter Beater really works on mosquitoes and uses essential oils.

Avon makes a GOOD one that works well (7.00 a bottle) and it smells GOOD

Good for you for not wanting to use DEET on your children, or yourself for that matter! I do know of safe products that you can use that won't break the bank :-) I am thrilled with these for my grandchildren and wish I had had them when my children were growing up. These are economical and safe and effective.

There is a free online webcast about safe products that also offers a free e-book at: www.gogreenwebcast.com/calm.

I am not sure if this works but I received an email saying that Listerine does the trick. I plan on trying it the first chance I get. The email said it actually lasts two or three days when for instance you put it in a spray bottle and spray it around an outdoor table. I am praying it works since I have a newborn that I will not put chemicals on. If I can spray around the table and not on my baby I will be very happy.

You would want to got to http://www.mosquitomagic.com/ for great products that are all natural.
Tom & Kathy

I totally agree with T O's suggestion to use the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database. There is a WEALTH of knowledge there. This should link you to the insect repellant page. http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.org/wordsearch.php?query=ins...

I am currently using one that I got a the Wedge called Bite Blocker, and it worked well for me in the woods in Wisconsin, so it definitely works. However after it's gone I'll probably try Buzz Away since it ranks better on the toxicity scale. Also, be aware that Burt's Bees was bought out by Clorox last December I believe, so it's no longer a nice little family company (if that matters to you). I know you've been recommended both these, but personally I'd stay away from using lavender and tea tree oil, both are known by the NIH to be endocrine disruptors, particularly for boys. See http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/releases/2007/01312007oils.cfm

As for sunscreen, I have heard lots of recommendations for Badger, also available at co-ops locally when they re-stock. However, it looks like California Baby has an fragrance-free stick, so that would be the better option. Not sure where to get it locally though. Here's the Skin Deep page for that as well:

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.org/browse.php?category=suns...

Hope that helps!

Hi T.-
I'm B.- a 47 yo med. prof, wellness coach, and mom of almost 7yo twin girls.
I can't help you on a natural bug spray. We have a mosquito magnet in our yard- and amazingly have little problem in it now as long as we stay in the zone it works for. It just does do what it should - only mosquitos flying through but we're not breeding them and they mostly go to the magnet- it's called the mosquito magnet- we thought it broke the bank but was the the best $600 we spent in years.
The sunscreen- well as a wellness coach I am affiliated with a company. We have a sunscreen that's UVA/UVB, non greasy- because it's just a lotion, SPf15 , and it smells like fresh oranges. Only downside is it's not waterproof.
If you want to check it out, you can go to http://www.mydietshop.org
I'ts called Radiant C body lotion spf 15.

Hope this adds to your choices.
If you want more information, call me on my cell ###-###-#### verizon, or email me at ____@____.com

B. Jarmoluk

I just found out that Burts Bees makes sunscreen and bug spray. Their website boasts that they strive for 100% natural ingredients in their products and they also tell you what percentage is natural. Just check out their website.

In a review in Backpacker magazine, the natural mosquito repellent that did the best was Repel Lemon Eucalyptus. I haven't tried it or found it locally, but I am on the lookout for it. Another one that did very well and didn't have DEET was the Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus. Only thing with the Avon one is that it contains sunscreen. I don't believe it's recommended that you apply a product with both sunscreen and repellent since you should reapply the two at separate rates. I use a natural sunscreen (either Nature's Gate or Alba) and they work fine and have different SPF levels. Good luck!

Hi T.,
I just might have what you're looking for. I am in the process of trying it out myself but the word has it that it's much better and safer to use than all the bug sprays and lotions out there !! You can contact me with your phone number at ____@____.com and I'll be glad to tell you about it. Nan

Hi T.,
For bug spray try Jason brand "Quit Bugging Me". It has geranium essential oil.
As far as Sunscreen I have heard so many talk about the Arbonne sunscreen and I am going to try it for myself. I tried the Melaluca mineral sunscreen and applied it 3 times in 2 hours to my son's skin and he burned SO bad in a crazy pattern all over his body. Plus the white stuff (zinc?) didn't wash off for 9 days.
Good luck in your search!

I use lavender essential oil. I use it in 2 ways - in a veg based body oil or in a spray. I'm a daisy blue naturals consultant so obviously use their products but I became a consultant because they worked so well for me. http://www.4074.daisybluenaturals.com

Can't help with the sunscreen as i've yet to find one i am happy with - i've just ordered a mineral based one from avon so i have my fingers crossed.

I just ordered sunscreen and bugspray from the website www.mercola.com. Here's a link to his aricle:http://products.mercola.com/summer-survival-kit/

I haven't tried it yet...sorry, no personal testimony. But, I have tried his other products and love them! Good luck!

I have something called Tick Guard I found it at our local natural food store. It's made by Botanical Solutions, Inc. No Deet! Ingredients are Citric Acid, Peppermint Oil, Lemon Grass Oil, Rosemary Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Water and Lecithin. We have been using it as a mosquito and tick repellent. They also make a spray for mosquitos called Mosquito Guard.

I don't know if you're familiar with Arbonne products, but they have a great sunscreen for kids. You can check it out at www.arbonne.com. You'd be able to get it for 35% off. Let me know if you have any questions or would like to try some! And I'll have to read some other responses about bug spray--I'm looking for that too!!