Do you enjoy hiking, but can’t stand all the pesky mosquitoes that wait for your precious fluids in our tropical jungles? 

 

And there’s always your fellow hiker who brings and shares their wonderful insect repellent and sprays it on everyone’s exposed skin. 

 

Did you know that insect repellents are considered pesticides?

 

People frequently associate pesticides with products that kill insects, but “pesticide” is a broad term that also includes products that do not kill anything, such as insect repellents. Pest repellents are not intended to eliminate pests. For example, in the case of skin-applied repellents, the product makes people less appealing to the pest.

 

Mosquito repellent is a potentially profitable product all over the world. The global mosquito repellent market size was valued at $4.1 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $6.0 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 5.6% from 2020 to 2027,” according to the research study.

 

Based on Malaysia’s regulation standards, if you would like to have an insect repellent product for your own brand, the brand owner must look for a manufacturer who has already registered with the Pesticide Board. Eng Kah Enterprise Sdn Bhd, is one of Malaysia's top approved factories.

 

For a more detailed understanding, check out Eng Kah's article on this. Eng Kah is a licensed manufacturer, so if you're looking to make your own bug spray, then they can set you up! 

 

Following that, the brand owner must proceed to the Pesticide Board, which is part of the Department of Agriculture.

 

Once the Pesticide Board has accepted the registered product (which normally takes 8 months to 1 year), the factory can begin production, and the brand owner can market it once the goods are ready. 

 

These registered products are deemed safe to use on human skin. Most insect repellents rely on a potent chemical called DEET. Products containing DEET are very safe when used according to the directions. There have been very few confirmed incidents of toxic reactions to DEET when the product is used properly. Picaridin, or KBR 3023, and oil of lemon eucalyptus, or p-menthane 3, 8-diol, are other EPA-registered chemicals in insect repellents. So far all of these have been tested and proven not to be harmful to humans. 

 

So go ahead and let your hiker friends spray them on! But check the bottle first to make sure it’s not some homebrew concoction that will set your skin on fire. 

 

 

So what are you waiting for? 

 

Isn’t it about time for you to test (and torture) yourself by registering for our fun hiking events? 

 

Come join our fun hikes and outdoor events! 

 

There are tons of opportunities you can seize upon riding the wave of event popularity. Join us at Howei today if you’re keen to start your own journey. 

 

References: Allied Market Research