Why We Made a Bug Spray Without DEET (And What We Put In Ours Instead)
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If you've spent any time on Kauai in the last year, you know the mosquitoes have been relentless. And if you're like me — someone mosquitoes apparently find irresistible — you know the struggle of wanting real protection without dousing yourself in something that smells like a chemical plant.
I also have a dog (Sunny) and kids. So I needed something I could feel genuinely good about putting on all of us.
That's how Bite Back was born. I wanted a bug spray that actually worked, smelled good enough to wear like a perfume, and could go on my dog, my kids, and me — all from the same bottle. No switching products, no second-guessing ingredients. And since we travel back and forth from Kauai, it needed to fit in a carry-on too. Hence the 2oz size — TSA-approved and trail-bag ready.
The hardest part? Finding a formula that could do all of that without DEET. Here's why that mattered to me.
What's in Most Bug Sprays (And Why It Matters)
The active ingredient in most conventional bug repellents is DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide). It's been around since the 1940s and it does work — but it comes with a list of concerns that's hard to ignore, especially when you're applying it to a child or a dog.
Here's what research has shown about DEET:
- It absorbs into skin. DEET doesn't just sit on the surface — studies have shown it penetrates the skin barrier and enters the bloodstream. One study found that 5–17% of topically applied DEET was absorbed into the body.
- It's a neurotoxin in high concentrations. The EPA classifies DEET as a mild toxin, and there are documented cases of neurological effects — including seizures — in both people and animals, particularly with high-concentration formulas or prolonged use.
- It's especially risky for dogs. Dogs groom themselves. That means whatever you put on their coat, they're likely licking off. DEET ingestion in dogs can cause vomiting, tremors, and in serious cases, seizures. The ASPCA lists DEET as toxic to pets.
- It degrades plastics and synthetic fabrics. If a chemical melts your gear, it's worth asking what it's doing to your skin.
- It's an environmental pollutant. DEET has been detected in waterways and has shown negative effects on aquatic life.
None of this means one application will hurt you. But when there's a safer option that works — why not use it?
What We Put In Bite Back Instead
We wanted a bug repellent that you could feel good about using on your dog and yourself. So we skipped the synthetic chemicals entirely and went botanical.
Here's what's inside every bottle of Bite Back — Natural Bug Repellent Spray:
🌿 Lemongrass Essential Oil
One of the most well-studied natural insect repellents. Lemongrass contains citronellal and geraniol — compounds that bugs actively avoid. It's effective against mosquitoes, gnats, and flies, and it smells amazing.
🌸 Geranium Essential Oil
Geranium oil has strong insect-repelling properties and has been studied as an alternative to DEET for tick deterrence specifically. It's gentle on skin and has a pleasant, floral scent.
🌲 Atlas Cedarwood Oil
Cedarwood has been used as a natural insect deterrent for centuries — there's a reason cedar chests were used to keep moths away. The active compound, cedrol, is a natural insecticide and repellent that's safe for both humans and dogs.
🌿 Mānuka Oil
Sourced from New Zealand, Mānuka is in the same family as Tea Tree but gentler and safer for use on animals. It has natural antibacterial and bug-deterring properties — and it soothes skin at the same time.
🌱 Vetiver Oil
Vetiver has a deep, earthy scent that bugs find deeply unpleasant. It's especially useful as a base note to help the other oils linger longer on skin and coat.
🌿 Neem Seed Oil
Neem is one of nature's most powerful natural pesticides. The compound azadirachtin disrupts insect behavior at a biological level — it's used in organic farming worldwide. In our formula, it adds an extra layer of protection that makes Bite Back effective even when you're really out there in the thick of it.
🌿 Catnip Oil (new in this batch!)
Catnip oil contains nepetalactone, a compound that research has shown to be more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes. Yes, really. It's also completely safe for dogs and people, and adds a fresh, herbal note to the scent.
🌱 Aloe Juice
We added aloe juice to this batch as a skin-soothing base. It calms any irritation, keeps skin hydrated, and helps the formula feel light and refreshing — not sticky or greasy.
The Base
We built the formula around skin-loving ingredients: glycerin for moisture, jojoba oil to help the essential oils absorb evenly, honeyquat (a honey-derived conditioning agent) to leave coats soft, and coco-glucoside (a plant-derived cleanser) to help everything blend together and apply cleanly.
One More Thing: It Should Smell Good
Most natural bug sprays have this problem where they smell okay in the bottle but the neem hits you the second it's on your skin. We worked hard to balance that out. The lemongrass, geranium, and cedarwood carry the top notes so what you actually smell on your skin is more like a warm, herby-floral. The kind of thing you'd spray on before a sunset walk, not just before heading into the woods. My kids don't complain. Sunny doesn't run from it. That felt like the real test.
Who It's For
Bite Back is designed for dogs and their people. One spray, shared. I spray it on my kids, on Sunny, and on myself every time we're heading somewhere buggy — which on Kauai lately is basically everywhere.
A few notes on use:
- Not recommended for puppies under 12 weeks
- Not recommended for pregnant or nursing dogs
- Use with caution on dogs with epilepsy (consult your vet first, as some essential oils can be a trigger)
- Not for children under 2 years old
How to Use It
Shake well. Spray lightly onto your dog's coat, avoiding eyes, nose, and mouth. For people, apply to exposed skin and clothing. Reapply as needed — especially after swimming or heavy sweating.
The 2oz bottle is TSA-approved and perfectly sized for a trail bag, beach tote, carry-on, or anywhere you go with your pup.
The Bottom Line
You don't have to choose between protecting your dog from bugs and protecting them from harsh chemicals. Bite Back gives you both.