If you are heading outdoors, you know how aggravating bugs can be. The answer, of course, is to use insect repellent to keep them from biting. Ah, but how does insect repellent actually work?
Insect repellent is used as a catch-all term, but it really covers a subset of repellents based on their active ingredient used to keep the bugs off. There are chemical products based on ingredients such as DEET. There are also natural products using active ingredients such as Citronella and oils such as lemon eucalyptus. The chemical products tend to be toxic to some extent, so repellents with natural active ingredients are generally better for you.
Given the name, most people would assume insect repellent works by repelling mosquitoes, flies and so on. Some do, but some do not. Some insect repellents work by making you smell or taste bad to a bug. Other work by masking your skin odor. The process can be analogized to stealth plane technology. The bug uses its ?radar? to identify tasty humans to bite, but you are hidden from the radar by the insect repellent.
If you wear insect repellent, it is important to understand there is a second reason you may get bit. While bugs are attracted to the odor of your skin, they are also attracted to another odor you give off. In this case, we are talking about the carbon dioxide in your breath.
Insect repellents tend to be effective over only short distances. As a result, you may see mosquitoes and other bugs flying fairly closely to you. This does not mean they are biting you, but it can lead to a sensation indicating they are. The best way to determine if you are being bit is to look at the spot where the sensation is occurring. If you are, then put more repellent on!
So, should you walk around lathered in insect repellent all day long? If you are in an area with a high concentration of bugs, then you should. That being said, the biggest risk time tends to be dusk or dawn. This is the feeding time for many bugs, particularly mosquitoes.
 10X Bugslock Bugs Lock Mosquito Repellent Repeller Band  US $.99 |  SSS Bug Guard Plus Insect Repellent Towelettes US $2.49 |
 10 PACK INSECT REPELLENT TOWELETTES US $.99 |  Clip on Ultrasonic Mosquito Repeller Harmless 22 961 US $14.19 |
 Coleman Firelight torch citronella refill disk New 5 US $13.00 |  Itch Zapper Mosquito Bite Treatment Kit Device 58 178 US $6.19 |
 Genuine green state insect bracelet hand with packing US $.99 |  10 Bugslock Bugs Lock Mosquito Repellent Repeller Band US $1.75 |
 15 Bugslock Bugs Lock Mosquito Repellent Repeller Band US $2.92 |  3 X Bugslock Bugs Lock Mosquito Repellent Repeller Band US $.01 |
 5 Bugslock Bugs Lock Mosquito Repellent Repeller Band US $.99 |  New Cute Anti mosquito Anti Mosquito Repellent sticker US $.99 |
 3xBugslock Bugs Lock Mosquito Repellent Repeller Band US $.99 |  Mosquito Bee Bug Insect Mesh Head Face Protect Hat Net US $.01 |
 Mosquito Bee Insect Mesh Head Face Protect Hat Net S US $.01 |  4 New Thermacell Butane Refills Cartridges 2 2 packs US $3.16 |
 AVON SKIN SO SOFT BUG GUARD EXPEDITION INSECT REPELLENT US $2.27 |  OFF CLIP ON MOSQUITO REPELLENT WITH CIRCULATING FAN NIP US $6.99 |
 12 Bottles OFF Botanicals Mosquito Repellent HARD 2FIND US $129.95 |  Expedition Bug Guard Skin So Solt US $6.99 |
 New US ARMY MOSQUITO FIELD NET BRAND NEW 200 X 72 US $9.99 |  Two WWII Mosquito Nets perfect condition netting camp US $9.99 |
 Mosquito Zapper US $7.00 |  610 pcs Natural Essential Oil Mosquito Repellent Patch US $.99 |
 2 Bottles OFF Botanicals Mosquito Repellent DEET FREE US $21.95 |  Off Outdoor Candle with Citronella 6 Candle Refills US $4.95 |
 10 Bugslock Bugs Lock Mosquito Repellent Repeller Band US $.01 |  2 Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Insect Repellent US $4.25 |
 2 X Mosquito Repellent Bugs Lock Camping Bracelet Green US $.01 |  2 X Mosquito Repellent Bugs Lock Camping Bracelet Pink US $.01 |
 2 X Mosquito Repellent Bugs Lock Camping Bracelet Blue US $.01 |  2X Yellow Mosquito Repellent Bugs Lock Camping Bracelet US $.01 |
 REPEL SPORTSMEN FORMULA18 DEET REPEL FAMILY10 US $1.99 |  10x Mosquito Repellent Bugs Lock Camping Bracelet Color US $.01 |
 Sales 10 packs x 6 pcs Mosquito Bug Repellent Patch US $1.49 |  2x Hello kitty Mosquito Repellent Hand ring Luminous US $.01 |
 Insect Fly Bed Canopy Netting Mesh Curtain Mosquito Net US $8.98 |  6x 6 pcs Mosquito Repellent Bugs Lock Camping Bracelet US $.99 |
 2 Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Insect Repellent SPF US $4.50 |  Off Clip On Insect Repellent Starter Kit NEW LINE US $.99 |
 Electronic Sonic Keyring Mosquito Repeller Keychain US $.01 |  Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Pump Spray US $5.00 |
 Mosquito Repellent Bugs Lock Camping Bracelet Green 1 US $.01 |  Outdoor Research Deluxe Spring Ring Headnet Mosquito US $3.25 |
 Cutter skinsations insect repellent US $2.99 |  Cutter Advanced insect wipes 2 packs US $3.99 |
 airosol brand vintage insect repellent US $.01 |  Cutter Advanced Insect Repellent Wipes 80 Count NEW US $.99 |
 Electronic Mosquito Repeller Repelling Device Arm band US $.99 |  10Bugs Lock Mosquito Insects REPELLENT Wrist Bands US $.99 |
 6Bugs Lock Mosquito Insects REPELLENT Wrist Bands US $.99 |  Mosquito Bug Insect No See Um Net Netting Jacket US $24.95 |
 SKIN SO SOFT Bug Guard Plus EXPEDITION SPF 30 Spray US $1.99 |  OFF DEEP WOODS INSECT REPELLENT TOWELETTES 12EA US $6.95 |
