CART
MENUMENU
  • Shop Now
        • Cleaning & Laundry
          • Air Filters, Fresheners & Purifiers
          • All-Purpose Cleaners
          • Bathroom & Tile Cleaners
          • Floor Cleaners
          • Dish & Dishwasher Soaps
          • Glass & Wood Cleaners
          • Hand Soap
          • Laundry & Dryer Products
          • Sponges & Cloths
        • Kids' Bath & Body
          • Kids' Hair Products
          • Lotions/Oils for Babies/Kids
          • Baby Washes
          • Eczema, Diaper Rash & Other Conditions
        • Bath & Body
          • Body Lotions & Oils
          • Kids' Bath & Body
          • Deodorant
          • Hair
          • Hand & Body Soaps/Washes
          • Cotton Swabs
          • Home Spa Products
          • Intimacy Salves
          • Period Supplies
          • Shaving
          • Sunblock & Bug Repellent
        • Face Care
          • Anti-Aging Skincare
          • Cleansers & Exfoliants
          • Creams, Oils, Lotions & Serums
          • For Acne-Prone Skin
          • For Sensitive Skin
          • Lip Balms
          • Makeup
          • Toners & Mists
        • Dental Care
          • Dental Floss
          • Teethers & Pacifiers
          • Toothbrushes
          • Toothpastes
        • Kitchen & Eating
          • Coffee & Tea Supplies
          • Cookware & Gadgets
          • Dishes & Utensils
          • Food Storage
          • Lunch Boxes & Food Containers
          • Organic Napkins & Cloths
          • Super Foods We Love
          • Water Bottles & Sippy Cups
        • Health & Wellness
          • CBD Products
          • Colds, flus, allergies
          • Cuts, bruises, rashes
          • Hand Sanitizers
          • Vitamins & Supplements
        • Air Filters
        • Water Filters
        • Radiation Protection
        • Red Light
        • Diapering
          • Cloth Diapering
          • Diaper Creams & Powders
          • Disposable Diapers
          • Wipes
        • Feeding Baby: Bottle or Breast
          • Infant Formula
          • Breastfeeding Accessories
          • Baby Bottles
          • Bibs & Burp Cloths
          • Starting Solids
        • Pregnancy, Postpartum & Breastfeeding Products
        • Furniture, Bedding & Decor
          • Area Rugs
          • Bed Frames
          • Bedding & Toppers
          • Carpeting
          • For Babies
          • Mattresses & Futons
          • Pillows
          • Art & Decor
        • Clothing & Accessories
          • Baby Carriers & Strollers
          • Backpacks & Lunchboxes
          • Organic Baby Clothes
          • Play Mats & Baby Seats
          • Towels, Cloths, Swaddles
        • Toys, Games, & Art
          • Infant and Toddler Toys
          • Art
          • Bath Toys
          • Puzzles and Games
          • Stuffed Animals and Dolls
        • Pets
        • Gifts
          • Baby Registry
          • Gifts for Her
          • Gifts for Him
          • Gift Sets & Bundles
        • E-Books & Guides
        • Sales
  • Product Guides
        • Air Filters
        • Air Fresheners
        • All-Purpose Cleaner
        • Baby Clothing
        • Baby Food
        • Baby Formula
        • Baby Lotion
        • Baby Shampoo
        • Baby Soap & Bubble Bath
        • Bar Soaps
        • Bread
        • Car Seat
        • CBD
        • Cereal
        • Cookies
        • Cookware
        • Cow Milk
        • Deodorant
        • Diaper Rash Cream
        • Diaper Wipes
        • Dish Soap
        • Disposable Diapers
        • Face Cream
        • Fruit Popsicles
        • Hand & Body Lotion
        • Hand Sanitizer
        • Laundry Detergent
        • Lipstick
        • Mascara
        • Mattresses
        • Mayo
        • Nipple Creams
        • Nutrition Bars
        • Olive Oil
        • Organic Prenatal Vitamins
        • Puffs
        • Red Light Therapy
        • Shampoo
        • Sippy Cups
        • Sofa
        • Sunscreen
        • Teethers
        • Toothpaste
        • Toys
        • Yogurt
        • Water Filters
  • Blog
        • Breastfeeding & Weaning
        • Clean Travel
        • Formula Feeding Without Stress
        • Grandparenting
        • Healthy Holidays
        • Healthy Pets
        • Home Improvement & Yard Work
        • Illness & Natural Remedies
        • Mompreneurship & Career
        • Newborn & Infant Concerns
        • Non-Toxic Mattresses, Furniture & Decor
        • Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
        • Non-Toxic Kitchen Gear & Food Storage
        • Non-Toxic Toys, Clothes & Gear
        • Outdoor Products & Tips
        • Pregnancy, Childbirth, & Postpartum
        • Product Giveaways
        • Products We Love
        • Recipes & Healthy Eating
        • Safer Baby Supplies
        • Safe Product Guides
        • School, Arts & Crafts
        • Skincare & Haircare: Good, Bad, and Sneaky
        • Sleep for Babies & Toddlers
        • Start Here: Detox Your Home
        • Vaccines
        • Vitamins & Supplements
        • Water & Air Filtration
        • Weight Loss & Fitness
        • WiFi & Radiation Concerns
  • Consulting
  • About Us
    • About Gimme the Good Stuff
    • The Staff
    • Store Policies
    • Disclosures
    • Contact
    • Subscribe to Maia's Emails
  • Videos
  • Cart (502)
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS $75 AND UP
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Gimme the Good Stuff

Home > Posts > A Nontoxic Option for Zika Protection?
Sawyers Fishermans Formula

A Nontoxic Option for Zika Protection?

February 8, 2016 | BY Maia James
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure page.

Maia headshot

Written by Maia, President

Even those of us in wintery climates can’t ignore headlines about the mosquito-born Zika virus. The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency as experts scramble to understand more about the virus.

Zika’s certainly on my radar. My family and I are escaping the snow to go to the Bahamas next week, and in May, I’m traveling to Nicaragua for a wedding. I’m not planning another pregnancy, but many of my friends are worried about Zika. And apparently it’s not only a concern for women and their babies. Zika is also linked to Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune condition that involves temporary paralysis and can be serious, even fatal.

What About Non-Toxic Bug Spray for Zika?

When it comes to fending off pesky mosquitoes, I normally shy away from chemical insect repellents and recommend this natural bug spray.
Sawyers Fishermans Formula
But Zika is a different story. To ward off mosquitoes carrying serious health risks, I would feel better with something stronger. Fortunately, experts are saying that you don’t have to resort to DEET, which is a neurotoxin.

Better Than DEET for Zika Protection

It turns out that Picaridin—a milder chemical–may actually perform better than DEET when it comes to Zika protection. Consumer Reports showed that Picaridin is more effective at repelling the Aedes mosquito, the type that carries the Zika virus.

Here’s more good news: unlike DEET, Picaridin did not cause cancer in animal studies, nor did it appear to lead to reproductive damage. It’s also less likely than DEET to irritate your skin.

Human studies on Picaridin are lacking, and Picaridin is by no means entirely non-toxic, but I would feel okay using it in a place where there are Zika-carrying mosquitoes, given the risks of this virus.

Check out Picaridin products like Sawyer’s Fisherman’s Formula, which you can get on Amazon. I would never apply this product directly to the skin, but plan to put it on our clothing when we are in mosquito-heavy areas.

Stay sane,

Maia_signature

 

 

P.S. I also read that the Aedes variety of mosquito likes the smell of feet, so you might consider shoes and socks for yourself or your kids if you’re in a Zika-affected region of the world.


If you liked this post, sign up for our newsletter to be alerted when we publish new content like this!

Related posts:

GGS_GIFTS2015 Nontoxic Holiday Gift Guide White Lotus Organic Cotton Sleep Pillows from Gimme the Good StuffHow to Choose a Nontoxic Pillow (and What’s Wrong with the Pillow You Have Now) 111 outside beforeIntroducing Project One-Eleven: Nontoxic Home Renovation natural deodorantUPDATED Nontoxic Deodorant Roundup Tetra Pak Package Layer ConstructionAre Tetra Paks Nontoxic and Safe?

Filed Under: Posts, Illness & Natural Remedies, Clean Travel, Outdoor Products & Tips, Products We Love Tagged With: bug spray, nature

Reader Interactions


Share this:

Share the post "A Nontoxic Option for Zika Protection?"

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Email

Comments

  1. Brookens says

    February 29, 2016 at 5:12 PM

    Is this safe to use during pregnancy/lactation?

    Reply
    • Maia James says

      February 29, 2016 at 9:34 PM

      Hi!
      I actually don’t know the answer to that very good question! You should take it up with your doctor, but the Environmental Working Group does say it’s safe for pregnant women.

      Reply
  2. M M says

    July 13, 2016 at 10:38 PM

    Is it safe for kids?

    Reply
    • Maia James says

      July 18, 2016 at 6:59 PM

      It’s acceptable, in my opinion, if you are at risk of lyme disease, Zika, etc.

      Reply
  3. M.m says

    May 17, 2017 at 1:36 AM

    What are your thoughts on mosquito bracelets? Are the safe and effective? Is there a brand you’d recommend? Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Sara says

    May 25, 2017 at 4:11 PM

    What do you think about erbaviva organic buzz spray? I use it on my 10 month old and it is amazing. I mist it lightly over him and myself before we go for walks during the summer and the flies, bees and mosquitoes stay away! I forgot to use it one day last week and wow. I immediately realized I forgot it due to all the little pests buzzing around the stroller.

    Reply
    • Maia James says

      May 26, 2017 at 11:54 AM

      I don’t know this brand, but looking into it!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar


Shop New

Shop Sales

Gift Bundles

Gift Guides

Recently Viewed…

  • Hevea Mini Kawan Rubber Duck from gimme the good stuff Hevea Kawan Natural Rubber Duck

    $14.99Buy Now

Shopping Cart

Shop By Category

  •   Air Filters  |
  •   Body & Hair  |
  •   Cleaning  |
  •   Clothing  |
  •   Diapering  |
  •   E-Books  |
  •   Face  |
  •   Feeding Baby  |
  •   Furnishings & Bedding  |
  •   Health  |
  •   Kitchen  |
  •   Pets  |
  •   Pregnancy & Breastfeeding  |
  •   Radiation Protection  |
  •   Teeth  |
  •   Toys  |
  •   Water Filters

Featured Product Guide:

Our Safe Product Guides help conscious parents find safe, non-toxic, natural and organic products for their families and homes. Check out all of our guides find out what's good, what's bad, and what's sneaky.

Featured image

Safe Non-Toxic Hand Sanitizer Guide

So you’re looking for non-toxic hand sanitizer…You’ve come to the right place! But buckle up, my friend, because there is a lot of info in this guide! (That’s what I get every time I hire Dr. Hopkins to provide research!).

Learn More >>

Browse Shopping Guides

Browse Blog by Category

Browse Blog by Tag

about us Activities for Kids Air Filters air fresheners Air Purification Air quality allergies animals anti-aging anti-inflammatories antibiotics aromatherapy asthma attachment parenting autism Ayurveda babies baby bottles baby food baby food guide Baby Formula bad stuff bath products bathroom renovation beach Beautycounter bedroom birthdays Blue Light BPA Bread breakfast breastfeeding bug spray candy carpet car seats CBD central america cereal Christmas cleaning cleanse coffee coffee & tea colds & flu cookies Cookware cradle cap dads dairy dental care deodorant dessert diapering diet dinners Dirty Dozen dish dogs drinks Easter eco-friendly Eczema energy Environmentalism environmental toxins European formula face care family time flame retardants flooring food storage formula formula feeding france fruit futon gifts giveaway giveaways gluten-free Goat Milk Formula good deals greens Greenwashing guest posts gut health hair hand sanitizer healthy cereal Healthy Cow Milk Guide Healthy Food at Disney Healthy Thanksgiving holiday sales home detox Honest Company Humidifier Immune boosters immunity insomnia interior design junk food just for fun kale kitchen products kitchen renovations laundry lip balm lotion Lumion lunch boxes lunches makeup mattress mattresses meal delivery services meat medications Mother's Day natural birth nature Non-Toxic Area Rugs Non-Toxic Carpets NonToxic Bath Products nursing nuts nyc oils Olive Oil our team packaged food packed lunches paint Paleo Pesticides phthalates pillows plastics play pollution Poofy Organics pregnancy prenatal nutrition probiotics Project one-eleven Radiation Raw Foods recycling Resolutions Safe All-Purpose Cleaner Guide Safe Toy Guide Sakara school-aged kids school lunch screens screen time separation anxiety sippy cups skincare smartphones smoothies snacks sneaky stuff soap social-emotional development sofas sofas/couches soup Spring sprouted flour sprouted grains sprouted wheat Staff stress sugar summer sunscreen teething Thanksgiving Ticks tile toddlers toothpaste Top Posts & Products of 2019 Toxins Travel triclosan vaccines vegan veggies wallpaper water water bottles water filters wine winter wooden furniture yams yoga

INSTAGRAM

@gimmethegoodstuf

Follow on Instagram >>
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: No posts found. Make sure this account has posts available on instagram.com.

Footer

About Our Founder

Maia James, the founder of Gimme the Good Stuff, has a lifetime of experience in the world of natural living, and has turned this passion into a career, now helping clients easily enjoy greener, cleaner lives, peace of mind, and better health.

Read more about Maia

Gimme the Good Stuff helps busy, conscientious parents easily avoid toxic products in their homes through our in-home consulting service, personalized shopping guides, and online store. We simplify the process of navigating the confusing world of “natural” products, and our readers, customers, and clients enjoy peace of mind and confidence that their home is a safe, healthy place for their families.
As Seen In...

Site Directory:

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Glossary
  • Product Guides
  • Store
  • Contact
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Connect with Gimme the Good Stuff:

approved-good-stuff

Good Stuff Approved:

copyright © 2021 Gimme the Good Stuff. All rights reserved. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2021 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in