Shoo-Fly All Natural Bug Spray
Live like there’s no black fly season.
If you’ve spent any time in the Adirondacks between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, you know — the black flies don’t care how much you paid for your hiking boots. They come for everyone. That’s why we made Shoo-Fly: a DEET-free insect repellent built from 9 essential oils, handcrafted right here in Lake Placid for the people who actually live and play in these mountains.
No harsh chemicals. No synthetic pesticides. Just plant-based protection that’s safe for the whole family — including your dog on the trail.
The Science of 9 Essential Oils
Each oil was chosen because it contains specific natural compounds that disrupt the chemical signals insects use to locate their next meal:
Citronella + Lemongrass: Rich in citronellal and geraniol — the most well-researched natural mosquito repellents. These compounds mask the carbon dioxide and lactic acid signals mosquitoes use to find you.
Clove: Eugenol is one of nature’s most potent insect-active compounds. Repels and kills mosquitoes on contact; especially effective against ticks.
Peppermint: Menthol creates a volatile barrier that mosquitoes, ticks, and gnats actively avoid. Also provides a light cooling sensation on skin.
Cedarwood: Cedrene and cedrol disrupt insect nervous systems and have been used as natural insecticides for centuries — it’s why cedar chests keep moths out of wool.
Thyme: Thymol and carvacrol rival synthetic repellents at comparable concentrations. Strong defense against mosquitoes and Adirondack black flies specifically.
Geranium: Rich in geraniol, extending and deepening the citronella base. Effective against mosquitoes, ticks, and stable flies.
Rosemary: Camphor and 1,8-cineole confuse insect sensory receptors. Repels mosquitoes and black flies.
Cinnamon: Cinnamaldehyde repels adult mosquitoes and is lethal to larvae — particularly effective against disease-carrying Aedes mosquitoes.
The Spray Locals Use
Shoo-Fly wasn’t developed in a lab. It was developed because we live here. Pure Placid is based in Lake Placid, New York — deep in the Adirondack High Peaks, where black fly season is as much a part of spring as the mud and the melting snow. We tested Shoo-Fly the honest way: outside, on real Adirondack trails, against actual black flies.
The result is a spray that smells like the forest instead of a chemical plant, protects for hours on a summer hike, and doesn’t make you feel like you need a shower the moment you put it on. Locals carry it. Visitors discover it. Everyone comes back for more.
- 9 essential oils — citronella, lemongrass, clove, peppermint, cedarwood, thyme, geranium, rosemary, cinnamon
- 100% DEET-free, no synthetic insecticides or harsh chemicals
- Safe for the whole family, including dogs
- Repels mosquitoes, ticks, black flies, and gnats
- Handcrafted in Lake Placid, NY
- Available in two sizes
How to Use
- Shake well before each use.
- Spray onto exposed skin and clothing, keeping away from eyes and mouth.
- Reapply every 2–3 hours or after swimming.
- For children, spray onto your hands first, then apply to their skin.
- Safe for dogs — spray on your hands and rub into their coat, avoiding face and eyes.
Each of Shoo-Fly’s 9 essential oils was chosen for how it works against insects at the chemical level. Citronella & Lemongrass: citronellal and geraniol mask the CO₂ and lactic acid signals mosquitoes use to find you — the most well-researched natural repellents available. Clove: eugenol repels and kills mosquitoes on contact, especially ticks. Peppermint: menthol creates a volatile barrier against mosquitoes, ticks, and gnats. Cedarwood: cedrene and cedrol have disrupted insect nervous systems naturally for centuries. Thyme: thymol rivals synthetic repellents at comparable concentrations, especially against black flies. Geranium: geraniol-rich, effective against mosquitoes, ticks, and flies. Rosemary: camphor and 1,8-cineole confuse insect sensory receptors. Cinnamon: cinnamaldehyde repels adults and is lethal to larvae — particularly effective against Aedes mosquitoes.
- Made in Lake Placid, NY by people who actually deal with Adirondack black fly season every year
- DEET-free, no parabens, no synthetic fragrances, no harsh solvents
- Safe for children and dogs — no warnings, no gloves required
- 9 plant-based oils that work with your skin, not against it
- Tested on real Adirondack trails — not just in a lab
- Small-batch, handcrafted with the same care as our candles
Water, Citronella Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Clove Oil, Peppermint Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Thyme Oil, Geranium Oil, Rosemary Oil, Cinnamon Oil