Summer in British Columbia means spending more time outdoors, but it also brings mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects. While professional pest control helps reduce pest populations around your home, using the right insect repellent is an important part of protecting yourself and your family during outdoor activities.
At Go Green Pest Control, we help homeowners throughout the Lower Mainland reduce mosquito breeding areas and control unwanted pests. If you’re planning to hike, camp, garden, or simply enjoy your backyard, here are some important tips for choosing and using insect repellents.
Which Insect Repellents Work Best?
Not all insect repellents provide the same level of protection. Independent laboratory testing consistently shows that repellents containing the following active ingredients offer the best defense against mosquitoes and ticks:
- DEET (25%–30%) – Provides the longest-lasting and most reliable protection.
- Picaridin (20%) – An effective alternative for those who prefer not to use DEET.
- Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) (30%) – A plant-derived option that offers strong protection for adults and children over three years old.
Many products made with essential oils such as citronella, peppermint, or soybean oil generally provide much shorter protection and often require frequent reapplication.
Why the Active Ingredient Matters
The effectiveness of an insect repellent depends more on its active ingredient and concentration than its brand or packaging. Products with 25% to 30% DEET consistently provide several hours of protection against mosquitoes and ticks.
While picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus can also perform well, not every product containing these ingredients offers the same level of protection. Always read product labels carefully and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Tips for Applying Insect Repellent Safely
To maximize protection:
- Apply repellent evenly to exposed skin.
- Avoid contact with eyes, mouth, and irritated skin.
- Spray onto your hands before applying to your face.
- Adults should apply repellent to young children.
- Wash treated skin after returning indoors.
- Reapply only as directed on the product label.
Repellents containing DEET should not be used on infants younger than two months. Oil of lemon eucalyptus products are generally not recommended for children under three years of age.
Repellent Helps—but Pest Control Provides Longer-Term Protection
Personal insect repellent protects you while you’re outdoors, but it doesn’t reduce mosquito populations around your property. Standing water, clogged gutters, bird baths, and overgrown vegetation create ideal breeding and resting areas for mosquitoes.
Professional pest management helps identify and eliminate these conditions, making your outdoor spaces more enjoyable throughout the season.
At Go Green Pest Control, we use environmentally responsible methods to help control mosquitoes and other nuisance pests while protecting your family, pets, and the environment.
Reduce Mosquitoes Around Your Home
You can also help reduce mosquito activity by:
- Emptying standing water from containers every few days.
- Cleaning gutters regularly.
- Keeping grass and shrubs trimmed.
- Refreshing bird baths frequently.
- Repairing window and door screens.
- Using outdoor fans on patios, as mosquitoes are weak fliers.
Combining these simple steps with professional pest control and quality insect repellent provides the best overall protection.
Need Professional Mosquito or Pest Control?
If mosquitoes, ants, wasps, rodents, or other pests are taking over your property, Go Green Pest Control is here to help.
We proudly provide safe, effective residential and commercial pest control services throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Go Green Pest Control
📞 778-886-4111
🌐 www.gogreenpestcontrol.ca
Contact us today to schedule an inspection and enjoy a safer, more comfortable outdoor season.
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