Bug Banisher: Repels Bugs & Smells Nice, Too!

20 June, 2025

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Summer days are made for soaking up the sun, and I love spending as much time as I can on the patio with my pug before it heats up. But nothing ruins a moment chilling with my book of the moment quite like getting swarmed by gnats. Earlier this season, they were relentless. I couldn’t sit outside for five minutes without feeling like I was under attack.

So I started experimenting.

I blended up a formula using bug repelling essential oils and fragrances in an aloe-based spray. After a few days of real-life testing (me, the sun, my pug and plenty of gnats), I was thrilled—I don't think a product has ever come together this flawlessly on the first try! Bug Banisher worked beautifully against the gnats, and I could finally enjoy my patio again.

I wasn’t quite ready to put it on the shelf, though, because as many gnats as there are in our backyard, there really haven't been any mosquitoes. I needed to know that it worked on those, too, before selling it to anyone else.

That’s where my husband came in. He and his fishing buddy took a bottle with them on a fishing weekend up near Vinton—a mosquito hotspot—and came back unscathed. The verdict? Bug Banisher works against both gnats and mosquitos, without harsh chemicals or stank.

Now it’s officially in the shop and ready for all your summer adventures—whether you’re gardening, hiking, or just enjoying a little sunshine with your furry best friend.

And if you happen to be at Rock the Block at NewBo City Market on a Friday night and the bugs start crashing the party, you don’t have to suffer through it. Just step inside and grab a bottle—we're right here and happy to help.