What smells like a vitamin supplement, sticks to you like glue, and may just keep you from becoming a human feast this summer? Well, the Don’t Bug Me Insect Repellent Patch – of course! 😉
According to their press release, the Don’t Bug Me Patch is “now available at major retailers nationwide, the effective and waterproof patch protects against bites from pesky, disease-carrying mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, chiggers, sand fleas and no seeums. The patch doesn’t contain DEET so it’s safe for children too.”
The patches are packaged five to a box, and they have a distinctive smell that reminds me of vitamin supplements, which is probably because their active ingredients are vitamin B12 and aloe.
According to the Don’t Bug Me site:
The Vitamin B1 is then absorbed into your bloodstream and distributed throughout your entire body. Our body’s natural response when given excess Vitamin B1 is to excrete the excess Vitamin B1 through our pores. This almost imperceptible odor masks the CO2 that we naturally emit, which is what attracts the mosquitoes. By masking the CO2 you become unattractive to biting insects! The trans dermal patch application is what makes the formula so effective. Taking Vitamin B1 in mega doses does not deliver the same effect as our patch because the stomach digests the B1 prior to it entering the bloodstream. The trans dermal patch provides a much more effective, consistent release of Vitamin B1, which is what makes it so effective.
The 2″ x 2″ adhesive paper patches are supposed to be applied two hours before the wearer will be outside, vulnerable to all of nature’s tiny vampires.
Additional patches may be needed if you weigh over 200 lbs, are traveling to heavily infested areas, smoke or drink alcohol. Patch is for one time use only, do not remove and reapply. The patch is waterproof and will remain on in the shower, bath and swimming pool.
For my review, I got Sarah and her boyfriend Michael to give them a try while they were planting our spring flowers…
The first thing they both did was remark upon how foul the patches smelled. I didn’t think they were necessarily foul, but like I said, the vitamin smell does seem pretty distinctive. They both wore the patches for the several hours that they were working in the yard, and while they both admitted to being bitten by a few of the more aggressive mosquitoes, they also said that it seemed as if the bites didn’t itch as much as usual, nor did they seem as inflamed. I have no idea if their observation was correct or even possible, but that’s their story and they are both sticking to it. Michael also mentioned that since the patches aren’t that sticky, hairy guys needn’t worry that they will get an unexpected waxing. 😉
Now I realize that a more scientific experiment might have involved having one wear the patch and the other being totally exposed, but there was no way I was going to suggest that, as the mosquitoes really were teeming at the time.
I am all for more natural ways of keeping bugs off of the people I care about, and I like the idea of using a non-harmful method such as this. Not having to fool with a noxious spray or cream makes the Don’t Bug Me Patch seem like a nearly ideal solution.
The Don’t Bug Me Patch is available directly from the manufacturer and from other major retailers.
MSRP: $7.99
What I Like: No toxins; safe for all ages, up to 36 hours protection; waterproof; “no messy sprays, lotions or towelettes
What Needs Improvement: Smell may bother some people; patches may or may not be entirely effective depending upon user’s weight and other factors
Just a little update for Judie:
Hello Judie and thanks for your informing others about our Don’t Bug Me! Patch.
Our active ingredient is Vitamin B1, and our only two ingredients are Vitamin B1 and aloe.
Our patch material is made from polyurethane, which is a very breathable and feels very skin like.
Have a happy birthday!
Thanks
Trish Tompkins, VP Marketing and Sales
Co-founder of Don’t Bug Me! Patch