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| Mosquitno adult and kids BandZzz and SpotZzz |
“The
sun shines and warms and lights us, and we have no curiosity to know
why this is so, but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain and hunger
and mosquitoes and silly people.” Ralph Waldo Emerson probably
didn't know why mosquitoes exist, but just like the rest of us, he
knew they were among the most despicable creatures to ever make their
residence on this planet. The battle between man and mosquito has
raged for years, and in warfare tactics that would make evil
dictators around the world smile, we've resorted to dousing ourselves
in chemicals that are known to cause a variety of maladies.
If you're searching for a safer, non-toxic way to fight off the
mosquitoes, flies, gnats, and other no-see-ums that try to make life
in the outdoors a miserable experience, Mosquitno
just might have an answer with their natural insect repellent BandZ and SpotZ products.
Product
Information
Not
a fan of using caustic chemicals like DEET to ward off the ravages of
bugs? Neither am I. However, Mosquitno
has come up with an all-natural solution. Silicon wrist bands have
recently become popular, but other than supporting a philosophical
cause, they didn't necessarily serve a functional, every-day purpose.
Enter Mosquitno's 15% citronella-infused BandZ. Citronella, a
natural, plant-based insect repellent, is widely known to help keep
biting insects away and is safe for humans, including small children.
A typical citronella candle contains somewhere in the neighborhood of
3% oil. Research conducted by the University
of Guelph in Ontario, Canada showed a 42.3% reduction in the
number of bites received by subjects who used citronella-based
candles as opposed to subjects who used no type of insect repellent
at all. The Mosquitno BandZ (and SpotZ) use five times the
concentration of citronella oil as do the candles, which translates
into more effectiveness.
Additional
bonuses of using the BandZ and SpotZ: The smoke and scent from
citronella candles can easily be blown away by a subtle breeze.
Wristbands and spots are attached to your body, clothing, or other
items, meaning you are constantly in the "protection zone".
When used as a spray or lotion, citronella must be applied every
30-60 minutes to maintain effectiveness. The BandZ (up to 6 days) and
SpotZ (up to 72 hours) work constantly without the need for
reapplication. Another nice feature is these products are completely
portable. They weigh next to nothing and are perfect for outdoor
activities ranging from backyard fun to backpacking in the
backcountry. The SpotZ stickers are even reusable and can attach to a
variety of surfaces such as shorts, hats, or backpacks. Lastly,
citronella is 100% natural and non-toxic. This means you don't have
to worry about putting your clothes, yourself, or your children in
harm's way just to have fun outside.
Testing
Results
Testing
the SpotZ and BandZ included a variety of locations. A day hike
through Line
Creek Nature Area in Peachtree City, GA. alongside the namesake
creek and past several marshy spots replete with stagnant pools of
water was bug-free.
I
also spent time around my neighborhood, searching for mosquito-prone
locations. Each time, no bites. To really test the products though, I
knew I needed to find a spot notorious for its flesh-hungry
invertebrates. What better place than Cumberland
Island National Seashore in south Georgia?
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| Salt marsh on Cumberland Island. Feral horses in background. |
Each
year I go with my students on a field trip to the Driftwood
Education Center. The main part of the trip is a visit to
Cumberland Island, hiking through maritime forests and salt marshes.
I left the BandZ and SpotZ in their packages to get a sample of the
bug activity. Within 30 minutes, people began to complain of bites to
legs and arms. The main culprits: sand gnats. If you've ever spent
time near the coast, you know just how annoying and relentless these
little vampires can be. I tolerated about as much as I could before
deciding it was time to put Mosquitno's claims to the test. I donned
the wristband and applied a SpotZ to my backpack. The kids
immediately showed interest in both products, lending credibility to
their popularity with children. Adults commented they could smell the
citronella right away. Soon, while I was relatively comfortable and
satisfied, others continued to vigorously slap at their legs and
arms.
Conclusion
I
don't know if there is much short of a personal nuclear weapon that
would keep someone 100% free of sand gnats. However, the weapon would
likely cause unwanted side effects, just like DEET or other chemical
bug repellents on the market today. Instead, consider Mosquitno's
BandZ
and SpotZ
to help protect yourself and loved ones in a safe, effective, and
toxin-free method. I still don't know why mosquitoes exist, but now
at least I have a way to keep them at bay, thanks to Mosquitno.
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| Moquitno BandZzz come in a variety of colors and designs. |
Disclosure:
Into My Wild was provided the complimentary Mosquitno wrist band and
stickers via Deep Creek PR (@DeepCreekPR) for
the purpose of testing and product feedback. There was no monetary
compensation for this review.
