Summers in New Jersey can be hot, humid, and filled with annoying insects. In order to spend as much time as possible outside, many people turn to bug spray products that can be applied on the skin to keep insects away.

Here’s a look at how bug spray works so that you can enjoy the rest of the season without being bitten or itchy. And if bug sprays aren’t getting the job done, Precise Termite & Pest Control can help.

Different Types of Insect Repellent

Insect repellents come in various forms, such as sprays, creams, and oils. These substances are designed to protect the body from insect bites because those bites can result in skin irritations and even the transmission of diseases. There are chemically-based repellents and plant-based repellents sold on in stores and online today. Chemical bug sprays often contain DEET, while plant-based repellants use natural ingredients that are less toxic but perhaps not always as effective.

How Bug Sprays Affects Insects

Contrary to what some people may think, insect repellents do not kill bugs. Insecticides are products that are made to kill bugs, while insect repellents only deter them from landing on your skin. Insects are attracted to humans by carbon dioxide, and bug spray masks the scent of carbon dioxide so that insects can’t find us.

Mosquitos are the most common insect that we use buy spray to deter in our part of the world. Mosquitos are attracted to the scent of carbon dioxide, as well as lactic acid and odors emitted from moist, warm skin. When you use an insect repellent, you create a vapor barrier that tastes and smells bad to mosquitos. This makes them less likely to land on your skin and bite you.

Ingredients in Insect Repellent

Insect repellents are synthetically made in labs to use the power of chemicals to keep insects away from people. In addition to DEET, man-made insect repellents often contain methyl anthranilate, benzaldehyde, and dimethyl carbate. Picaridin, permethrin, and lemon eucalyptus oil are other common ingredients that you’ll find in insect repellents.

Natural insect repellents typically contain botanicals that are more environmentally friendly and safer for humans to use, compared to synthetic and non-biodegradable products. These types of insect repellents often contain citronella, lavender, pine, catnip, cinnamon, rosemary, basil, garlic, and peppermint.

What to Look for in an Insect Repellent

The type of insect repellent you choose is a personal choice, but there are a few things you might consider looking for when you are shopping for a new insect repellant product. It is beneficial to choose a bug spray that works against multiple types of biting insects and not just mosquitos. You’ll also want a product that does not irritate the skin and that lasts for at least several hours after application. Many people also choose repellents that are non-greasy and odorless.

Get Help with Biting Insects

Sometimes it takes more than just spraying yourself with insect repellent to keep bugs away. For those times, Precise Termite & Pest Control can offer professional extermination solutions for your home, business, and property. We are Northern New Jersey’s specialists for fast, effective, and affordable pest control, and we’re here to help you make the most of your time outdoors.

Call us at 866-971-2847 or contact us online to schedule your free inspection.

No one wants pests living inside or around the home, but an increasing number of homeowners are making a point to avoid chemicals around the house as well. Fortunately, green pest control options are available that are safe and effective to give you peace of mind.

Here is an overview of our environmentally friendly pest control services and how they can protect your family and the environment.

Risks of Chemical Pest Control Methods

Certain types of harsh, chemically based pesticides have been linked to health hazards, such as headaches, respiratory symptoms, and hormonal changes. These are mostly the types of pesticides used in agricultural settings to reduce crop disease, but the household pest control chemicals used by some companies can be concerning too.

Effectiveness of Green Pest Control

At Precise Termite & Pest Control, we know that harsh chemicals are not necessarily the best or most effective way to get rid of unwanted insects, rodents, and other pests. Environmentally friendly pest control methods are often just as effective as traditional methods, but they use biodegradable and less-toxic materials to keep pests away.

Our technicians are highly qualified and specifically trained to work with environmentally friendly pest control equipment to get the job done right. Some green pest control methods include using baits because they pose low toxicity risks for humans compared to sprays, insect growth regulators, and boric acid for use in buildings.

Kids and Pets Around Pest Control Environmentally Friendly

One of the best reasons to make the switch to green pest control is because you have kids and/or pets in the house. Kids and pets tend to put things in their mouths and get into areas where they aren’t necessarily supposed to be. To keep everyone safe while controlling pests, we can use non-toxic products that are low risk, naturally based, and made with organic compounds.

Our Green Pest Control Services

Precise Termite and Pest Control provides pest control environmentally friendly solutions for both family homes and private businesses to help you embrace the “go green” movement. Not only do we specialize in green pest control for all of the types of pests that affect New Jersey, but we will also help you take preventative measures to protect your home from more pests in the future. These measures may include keeping garbage cans tightly sealed, fixing leaky plumbing so that water doesn’t pool up, sealing up cracks, and reducing clutter from areas that are attractive to pests.

To learn more about the green pest control services we provide and our eco-friendly methods, please contact us at 866-971-2847.