Ah, Quebec in summer! The fauna, the flora, the mosquitoes… It’s the best time of year to play outside, go hiking, roll around in the grass,wash your hands in the morning dew. We stroll in the shade of the trees, backpacks full of sandwiches and (mineral) sunscreen, and enjoy the lupines and viewpoints.
We’ve got out our best hiking boots, the ones that are 100 steps from falling apart, and our polarized sunglasses, and we’ve even bought a disposable camera to immortalize our walks like our parents did on our childhood summer vacations.
In the parks, we bring our picnic tablecloth and a basket bought at a provincial thrift store. At the tam-tams, we wear a large shirt and jorts that are comfortable but above all very, very chic. We’re well equipped.
But our best summer friend is the insect repellent. Because in Quebec, we quickly become a feast for mosquitoes, carnivorous deer flies that eat bits of our skin, ticks (horror!) and fly-maringuin hybrids that look like mini-dinosaurs and fall from trees into our hair.
Canada’s best insect repellents
To protect yourself from local biting wildlife, you need a local product. Canadian insect repellent formulas are the best thought-out and prepared to repel insects, and we’ve got a list of the country’s best-loved – and cleanest, with no DEET (a controversial substance banned in Europe)…
1.Off! Botanicals
One of Canada’s oldest, most proven and iconic brands is Off! and they have a range of certified DEET-free products.
Instead, these mosquito repellents use a formula with eucalyptus-lemon extract, a plant known for its natural insect-repellent properties.
These formulas can also be used from age 3 upwards, and the coverage of the mosquito repellent is around 2 hours for mosquitoes and 5 hours for black flies. There’s a lotion, a spritz and an aerosol.
2.Druide – Eco Trail products
Laboratoires Druide produces organic cosmetics made with local ingredients in Quebec, and has a line of Eco Trail products made for the Quebec summer outdoors. They’re also biodegradable and environmentally friendly – so you can enjoy the great outdoors without harming it…
Based on eucalyptus-lemon, eucalyptus and lemongrass, there are soaps, spritzes, deodorants, after-shower care products… We can change our entire shower routine in summer to be 100% insect-proof, and respect the environment at the same time.
3 Tonic Workshop
Atelier Tonic’s vegan, organic and eco-responsible no moskito is formulated with a mix of essential oils that naturally repel mosquitoes: camphor, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass…
Atelier Tonic is an eco-responsible workshop-boutique in Montreal, where you can also take workshops on site or at home.
4.Canadian Shield
The Canadian Shield brand, formulated for extreme campers, hunters and those who’ll be spending all summer outdoors, has an insect repellent that’s formulated without DEET.
Instead, Canadian Shield Forest Blend uses icaridin (an active ingredient that is odorless and less irritating than DEET, with fewer negative effects) and cedar essential oil.
The product is effective for 12 hours against mosquitoes, 10 hours against black flies and also repels ticks.
5.Great Outdoors
The Great Outdoors brand, also known for its products made for hunters, campers and back-country hikers, has also developed a DEET-free product using icaridine.
Insect repellent spray 20% icaridine is formulated for children (from 6 months) and adults.
It’s important to protect yourself from insects (especially ticks), but doing so in harmony with nature and your skin is even better! We also recommend long pants, high socks, tied-up hair and, as usual, lots and lots of cool water!
Have a great summer!