Repellent - protect your home and family today

There is nothing worse than insects and pests. They can turn a lovely afternoon walk into an annoyance, and they can potentially cause damage to both your garden and house. Whether it is mosquitoes, rats, mice, birds or moles, they can be a real nuisance, and they can destroy a perfectly lovely day. Luckily, you don’t have to suffer in silence. At vidaXL, we offer a wide range of pests and insect repellents. Find the product you are looking for here.

Types of repellents

When it comes to pests and insect repellents, there are several different products, depending on the insect or pest. Generally, insect repellents are applied on your skin or clothes to keep away - or repel - insects. Pest repellents are usually used for pests, such as moles, rats and mice and are thus not used on your skin or clothes but rather used around your garden or home. Insect repellents can protect you from biting insects, like sand flies and mosquitoes. Let’s take a look at some of the pests and insect repellents that are available on the market today:

• Mosquito repellent
• Rat exterminator
• Mole repeller
• Bird blocker
• Bird spike

Mosquito repellent usually comes as sprays, sticks, roll-ons, creams or gels. If you are in the market for an insect repellent, you may wish to be on the lookout for the following active ingredients, as they will provide long-lasting protection:

• Diethyltoluamide (DEET)
• IR3535
• Picaridin (also known as icaridin)
• Essential oils such as lemon, lemongrass or eucalyptus

You might also want to check the strength of the ingredient it contains. This is usually described in percentage. It is recommended that repellents contain 20-50 percent DEET, although, for kids, it should not be more than 30 percent. The higher the concentration of DEET, the longer protection. Remember that sweat and water will affect how long repellents are effective, so if you sweat a lot or you are in a humid climate, you may wish to opt for water-resistant repellents.

Natural repellents

If for whatever reason, you wish to opt for a more natural repellent, that is also an option. They might not be quite as effective as the repellents that contain ingredients such as DEET, artificial preservatives or picaridin. That being said, they certainly can be effective, and they can absolutely help keep bugs, pests and insects at bay. The following essential oils work wonders as natural repellents, and they are often used in repellents:

• Lemongrass
• Citronelle
• Tea tree
• Lavender
• Manuka
• Rosemary
• Neem
• Eucalyptus

If you have a bug or insect bite that is itching, ingredients such as lavender, beeswax and coconut oil will help soothe the itchy bites. Not only are all these ingredients effective, but they are also good for your skin and the environment.

Use your insect repellent correctly

A repellent will only be effective if you use it correctly. While you should always look at the instructions for your specific products, generally, here is how you use insect repellent most effectively and safely:

1. Apply your insect repellent to the exposed clothes and skin. There is no need to apply repellent underneath your clothes, thereby increasing the amount of insect repellent that is absorbed into your skin.
2. Avoid applying repellent to wounds, open cuts, sunburned skin, eyes and mouth.

Follow the instructions on your product, and do not use more than the recommended amount. Avoid using too much, remember that using an excessive amount will not be more effective. If you get bites with a thin layer, applying more won’t make a difference. If you sweat significantly or you go into the water, you may need to reapply the insect repellent or use a water-resistant insect repellent.

If you are using insect repellents on children or babies, always make sure that you read the instructions carefully and check that the product is suitable for kids and babies. 

Buy your repellent at vidaXL

At vidaXL, we offer a wide range of repellents. You will find products such as bird spikes, mole repellers, bird blockers and rat exterminators. Our repellents are effective products that will keep unwanted insects and other animals away from your home and garden. If you have any questions or need help choosing the right insect repellents, you are welcome to contact our customer service so we can assist you. We look forward to helping you, so you are protected against any pests and insects, both at home and on your holiday.