How a Bug Repellent Band Works

Chemicals

Repellent bands are either worn around the wrist or, in the case of dogs, around the neck like a collar. The bands are often saturated with proven repellents or other medications designed to keep insects away. A common chemical found in mosquito-repelling bands for humans is citronella. Bug patches, which are similar to bug bands, may use DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide), an insecticide.

Citronella is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as an insect repellent (particularly mosquitoes) and is a common ingredient in bug repellent bands. Citronella works by disguising human hosts as viable meals. Many bloodsucking pests, like mosquitoes or black flies, use the scent of carbon dioxide to find their targets. Citronella covers this scent, making it difficult for the pests to locate the wearer of the band. Bug bands are most effective against flying, biting insects, since they are so dependent on scent for hunting.

In August 2007, Dr. Steve Presley of the Institute of Environmental and Human Health at Texas Tech University used six participants and 500 mosquitoes to test the effectiveness of a citronella-based bug repellent band, as well as a patch using DEET. One subject had five mosquitoes bite her arm with the bug repellent band while 14 bit her untreated her arm. Another subject had only one mosquito bite his arm with the repellent band and 19 bite his untreated arm.

Flea collars are bands placed on the necks of cats or dogs. They work by releasing various chemicals throughout the animal's body, which effectively kill or repel fleas. Chemicals include fipronil, pyrethrins, permethrin, and methoprene. Methoprene also kills flea larvae. Flea collars may actually be more effective against ticks than fleas since ticks tend to want to bite around the neck area, where the collar is placed.