We've been asked time and time again, what makes our Nature's Defense bug spray so dang good?
Well, the unique blend of potent, natural ingredients certainly makes it both strong and effective. But we like to think that the zero-waste packaging and plastic impact guarantee also stand out as reasons why our bug spray is the best.
At the core of Nature's Defense Bug Spray are three key ingredients: thyme, chamomile, and oregano. One of the cool things about plants is that they have evolved chemical compounds to repel and kill insects without harming themselves. By harnessing the power of these plants, we too can be protected from biting bugs that spread disease. Each of the ingredients in Nature’s Defense is chosen for their natural insect-repelling properties, making the bug spray highly effective against a wide range of insects including flies, gnats, mosquitoes, ticks, and chiggers.
Let’s unpack what’s inside of each bottle.
Thyme is a renowned natural insect repellant- for mosquitos, gnats, chiggers, and all sorts of flying pests. It contains a monoterpene unique to the plant and named after it: thymol, which is strongest in the form of an essential oil. What’s more thyme’s additional components: carvacrol, linalool, geraniol, and β-cyclocitral, enhance thymol's insecticidal properties against mosquitoes and their larvae. Thyme is also a potent antimicrobial, killing bacteria on the skin’s surface that would attract insects and entice them to bite. In addition to being a strong deterrent for mosquitoes, thymol is one of the strongest deterrents for ticks.
Chamomile is not just soothing for the mind and body but also contains a veritable cocktail of components that make it a potent insect repellant against a wide range of biting insects. It contains alpha-bisabolol and chamazulene which are insecticidal, toxic to a wide range of insects, plus linalool and terpinen-4-ol which emit scents that are unpleasant to insects, keeping them away.
Oregano is often celebrated for its robust flavor and health benefits in the culinary world, but it also plays a crucial role in our natural bug spray. Oregano contains thymol and carvacrol, which interfere with the nervous system and sensory organs of insects, deterring them from approaching or feeding the plant- or anyone wearing the essential oil from the plant. Remember, thymol is strongest when used as an essential oil! Research has shown that carvacrol, thymol, and α-terpinene (all found in oregano oil) are highly effective at repelling mosquitoes, ticks, and other insects. A study even found that a 40% concentration of oregano oil was more effective against bed bugs than a commercial insect repellant containing 33% DEET.
Ravensara, like chamomile and geranium, contains a variety of aromatic compounds that have evolved to protect the plant from insects and other pests. Ravensara's unique insect repelling properties stem from its chemical compounds like 1,8-cineole, which disrupts their olfactory senses and masks attractive scents, like human odors.
Cedarwood is similar to ravensara, as it contains compounds that disrupt and disorient an insect's pheromones and olfactory receptors. Its strong aromatic oils, cedrol and cedrene, disorient insects, making them less likely to find food, mates, or lay eggs. Additionally, cedarwood contains natural phenolic compounds and acids that can be lethal to insects, especially moths, gnats, and flies.
Geranium contains both citronellol and geraniol, scents that insects find unappealing, especially mosquitoes and ticks. Similarly, lemongrass’s strong insect repellent properties are primarily due to its high amount of citronella oil, a natural compound that effectively masks scents that attract insects. In addition, the active compounds like geraniol and citral in lemongrass repel insects. And it just smells good- the best bug spray on the market has to smell good.
Beyond its impressive lineup of natural ingredients, Nature's Defense Bug Spray is committed to sustainability. It is vegan, cruelty-free, and made with USDA certified organic ingredients. Moreover, thanks to our Impact Guarantee, every bottle purchased removes one pound of plastic from nature, converting it into energy.
But don’t take our word for it- the most common customer comment we get after people try Nature’s Defense is, “How is this NOT chemicals??”
Impact Botanicals is full of outdoorsy folks, so this product was thoroughly tested in the woods, lakes, and hiking trails of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Oregon, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and South Carolina. It’s effective against mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, flies, chiggers, and all sorts of biting insects. Highly effective, Nature’s Defense Bug Spray is easily one of the best natural bug sprays you can get!
Enjoy the outdoors- don’t get eaten by it.
