Article by Jutta Dewell
Most people use conventional insect repellants that really work, but what is in that stuff that they are
spraying on their body and in their face and on their kids, too? Most of them contain a potentially
dangerous chemical insect repellant/insecticide named DEET.
The Environmental Protection Agency says it is safe, but suggests that you should wash it off your skin
when you return indoors, avoid breathing it in and not spray it directly on your face. So, it’s not
completely harmless and some people do have adverse reactions to it.
There are safer alternatives that do work.
One of our best selling products is Cedarcide’s TickShield© Tactical, a cedar oil based non-toxic
backwoods repellant for people and pets. This is not only a repellant, but also a contact killer for ticks,
fleas, chiggers, gnats, no-see-ums, mosquitoes, bed bugs, lice, wasps, horseflies and a lot of other non-
beneficial insects. It is 100% organic and contains 20% cedar oil and 80% hydrated silica, a form of silicon
dioxide (sand). It is EWG (Environmental Working Group) verified with a very low level (score 1) of
overall hazard (https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/719552/HYDRATED_SILICA/).
Cedar oil seems to be the most powerful natural repellent. It was even used by the Egyptians in the
mummification process!
Get your spray bottle next time you come to your Yelm Food Co-op!
