Best Bee Brothers Bee Blog — Chemical Free

There are so many bug repellents on the market, and as summer draws near they seem to be conveniently placed on endcaps and in aisles wherever you go. It’s so easy to quickly grab a bottle and move on. But just because these familiar products are readily available doesn’t mean they are the right choice for you. Here are a few points to consider when deciding how to protect your family from pests this summer season. 1. DEET or No DEET? We’ve likely all heard of DEET. DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is a chemical compound most commonly used in conventional bug repellent...

No. So what really works? Have you ever wondered why your fun citronella tiki torches don’t seem to protect you from mosquitoes? You may have a half dozen or so lined up perfectly around your deck, patio, or recreational area. The festive ambience they create seems perfect for your summer evening. But the truth is, those torches aren’t effective unless you stand directly next to the flame. To keep yourself and your family safe, you’ll need a more than a few tiki torches.   Personal protection for everyone is a good idea and should be your first line of defense....

Mosquito Repellent Wristbands Keep the Mosquitos Away Is there anything better than enjoying the outdoors on a warm summer night? Those long, lovely twilight hours when the fireflies begin to show their lights. The neighbor kids are running and biking up and down the street. The smells of grills and bonfires mixed with fragrant summer blooms and fresh-cut grass. No matter where we live in the US, we can likely all envision this familiar scene. We can also feel the incredible frustration of being eaten alive by mosquitoes! Wouldn’t it be great if we could enjoy our favorite outdoor activities...

Mosquito season seems to get longer each year. If those pesky bugs chase you back inside or have you reaching for a can of chemical repellent to enjoy the great outdoors – or your own backyard – you’re not alone. Luckily, a product to help keep the mosquitoes away doesn’t have to be in an aerosol can. Before the twentieth century when man-made chemicals were invented to repel bugs, humans used natural essential oils, which have been used for ages to keep mosquitoes at bay. Here are 5 natural oils used for repelling them: 1. Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus: Oil...

Should you use DEET or choose a DEET-free alternative to keep bugs at bay? The debate tends to be a hot one these days. First, a little history. DEET is the name for N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, an active ingredient in many insect repellents. It was initially developed by the US Department of Agriculture for the military and then was registered for commercial use in the US in 1957. DEET was one of the first chemicals widely used to protect against mosquitoes and, because of its effectiveness, has been a popular choice ever since. (1,2) This is an example of a product that...