When you head outdoors, bug spray is a must-have item for protection against mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects that may carry disease. If youve found an opened can or bottle of bug spray in the back of your medicine cabinet, you may wonder if its expired. Insect repellent usually lasts for several years before losing its effectiveness. You can determine your products efficacy even if youre not sure how old it is.
Melissa King began writing in 2001. She spent three years writing for her local newspaper, “The Colt,” writing editorials, news stories, product reviews and entertainment pieces. She is also the owner and operator of Howbert Freelance Writing. King holds an Associate of Arts in communications from Tarrant County College.
Oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD
These similar oils are found in sprays like Repel and Off Botanicals. The synthesized version of OLE is called PMD, which stands for para-menthane-3,8-diol. Repellents with this active ingredient are stable for long periods and probably wont have an expiration date on the bottle. Repel is the most popular brand using OLE. Youll also find it in the Murphys Naturals bug spray.
Does 3M Ultrathon insect repellent expire?
DEET
The majority of popular bug-spray brands, such as Off, contain N,N-diethyltoluamide, more commonly referred to as DEET, as their active ingredient. DEET doesnt expire. This chemical is quite stable and has a long shelf life, Zwiebel says.
FAQ
How long is Ultrathon good for?
How do you know if bug spray is expired?
What happens if you use expired mosquito repellent?
