 Natrapel Insect Repellents:
Natrapel is one of several companies now marketing non-chemical insect repellents. I'll admit that when I've bought bug juice it was usually a brand that is packed with DEET, so going DEETLESS in the woods wasn't a comforting thought what with our torrid and humid summer days and nights. Our first round with Natrapel spray was around a campfire in the mountains of West Virginia. The three of us were happy to find that the mosquitoes didn't bother us at all.
Our next test was the following day during an eight-hour session of climbing in a very shaded, wooded area. Myself and Johnathan used the spray, while Tom used the SPF 30 Natrapel Sunscreen/Repellent. And again, the results were very satisfying. The three of us really had no problems with the mosquitoes or deer flies despite the fact that we sweated like crazy the whole day.
We also used the product when we were camped along the New River, having set up tents on the beach sand along the river. During set up we were getting eaten up by tiny sand fleas. After slapping on some of the Natrapel spay we had no more problems with the fleas.
Natrapel definitely works on mosquitoes, deer flies and sand fleas, and it's DEET free. That's a plus. The downside, if you could call it that, is that both Tom and Johnathan commented that the spray smells kind of like furniture polish. It's an orange-peel like smell. That's probably the citronella in the repellent. Actually, that's not really too bad of a downside.
My only question is whether this product would work up in Canada on the black flies. Its label states that it works to repel mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and common house flies. My guess is that if you're in Canada you'd better have some heavy artillery - a.k.a. DEET - just in case the Natrapel doesn't hold up.
Natrapel also comes in the form of roll-ons and lotions.
Manufacturer: Tender Corporation
Price: Varies by size and form
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