Insect Repellents for Rarotonga and the Cook Islands (That are Also Better for You and the Environment)
The downside to tropical getaways is the associated bugs and mosquitos. However, spraying yourself with smelly and unhealthy chemicals to avoid itchy bites puts more of a downer on said downside! Keep yourself, your loved ones, and the beautiful environment of the Cook Islands safe by using more sustainable and natural mosquito repellents. In this list of the best eco-friendly mosquito repellents for the Cook Islands, we not only list the plant-based DEET-free insect repellent sprays but a whole range of products so you can find something to suit your tastes.
Are There Mosquitoes in the Cook Islands?
Yes, there are mosquitoes in the Cook Islands. Learn about the season when mosquitoes are most abundant, as well as mosquito-borne diseases to be aware of in the 10 Ways to Avoid Mosquito Bites in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
1. Badger Anti-Bug Balm
Keeps mosquitos at bay, check! No nasty chemicals, check! Plastic-free, check! Badger Anti-Bug Balm is a good all-rounder for protecting yourself against mosquitoes in Rarotonga and the Cook Islands. The organic and natural mosquito repellent is based on citronella, cedar and lemongrass. Badger also offers sprays in aluminium bottles (although have plastic lids) and balm sticks.
Check out Badger Anti-Bug Balm on Amazon.
© Amazon2. REPEL Insect Repellent Spray
One of the leaders of the DEET-free insect repellent market is REPEL and for good reason. The environmentally-friendly spray with lemon and eucalyptus extract not only effectively keeps mosquitos at bay, but smells pretty good too. Plus, the formula is non-greasy meaning no stains on your holiday clothes – which, by the way, if you don’t know what to pack, see our Cook Islands Packing List.
Learn more about REPEL Insect Repellent Spray on Amazon.
© Amazon3. “No-Bite-Me” Insect Repellent Cream by SallyeAnder
Swap spray for a natural cream with this “No-Bite-Me” Insect Repellent Cream by SallyeAnder. No nasties are in the ingredients of this eco-friendly mosquito repellent, with active ingredients including eugenol, cedar oil, rosemary oil, lemongrass oil and more. The repellent free from paraben, DEET and alcohol is safe for kids and infants. You might also want to match this with the 5 Best Sunscreens for Kids and Babies.
Check out the SallyeAnder No-Bite-MeCream on Amazon.
© Amazon4. Outdoor Essential Oil
Compact to use when travelling and useful to diffuse at your Cook Islands holiday home, the Outdoor Essential Oil by TerraShield is a natural repellent for unwanted bugs including mosquitos. The essential oil uses natural ingredients, such as ylang-ylang, cedarwood, catnip, lemon eucalyptus, vanilla bean absolute and more. A few drops on your arms, legs and enough is usually enough to keep the bugs at bay for a few hours.
Find out more about TerraShield Outdoor Essential Oil on Amazon.
© Amazon5. Insect Repellent Soap
As easy as taking your morning or evening shower, Insect Repellent Soap is well worth considering. Just replace your normal soap or body wash with a soap bar made with citronella and lemongrass.
We recommend the Insect Repellent Bar from Blue Moon Elise, available on Amazon.
© Amazon6. Insect Repellent Clothing
Ok, so any clothing protects the covered parts of your body from mosquito bites, but what about repelling mosquitoes away from your body altogether to spare your exposed hands and ears? Meet clothing made with insect-repellent technology! Combining UV and insect protection, clothing with patented technologies like “No Fly Zone” and “Bug’s Away”. The clothes typically keep their bug-repellent capabilities for around 50-60 washes.
A recommended insect repellent clothing brand is ExOfficio, which does both men’s insect-repellent apparel and women’s insect apparel on Amazon.
© Amazon7. Natural Mosquito Repellent Sticker
A good one for the kids, natural mosquito repellent stickers are as easy to use as simply sticking one of the stickers to the little one’s T-shirt, shorts or bag. The active ingredients in these clever stickers include citronella and lemon. Of course, the stickers are DEET-free.
Check out Natural Mosquito Repellent Stickers from Mosquito Guard on Amazon.
© Amazon8. Mosquito Repellent Bracelets
If you don’t want to spray or soap yourself, mosquito repellent bracelets are another option. Get a pack of colourful bracelets with each bracelet providing 10 continuous days of protection. The bracelets we recommend below are infused with powerful yet natural citronella oil. The way they work is that as soon as your bracelets stop smelling like citronella, just pick a new one and you’re back protected.
Check out these economical Mosquito Repellent Bracelets or the PARA’KITO Bracelets that only require you to change the active pellets within the bracelets once every 15 days.
© Amazon9. Insect Repellent Wipes
Using natural ingredients like geranium oil, insect repellent wipes are not our top choice because of all of the packaging but at least they are an alternative option for natural mosquito repellent for Rarotonga and the Cook Islands should you need it. Each wipe is individually sealed to lock in the active ingredients until opened when all you need to do is wipe the areas you want to protect. Wipes typically give around six hours of protection. For more health products to pack for the Cook Islands, see What Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for the Cook Islands.
Check out La Fresh Mosquito Repellent Wipes on Amazon.
© Amazon10. Natural Insect Repellents in the Cook Islands: Monoi Tiki Tahiti and Te ARA
If you run out of spray in the Cook Islands, never fear! There are two natural insect repellent brands that the locals use that are very effective: Monoi Tiki Tahiti, found in pharmacies, gift stores and surf stores, and Te ARA sold at the Te Ara Museum in Muri.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com11. Alternative Ways to Avoid Mosquito Bites
Finally, there are alternative ways to avoid mosquito bites without relying on insect repellents and similar products. Wearing long-sleeved clothing, avoiding the wet season and choosing accommodation with mosquito nets are all alternative precautions to take. It’s worth checking out our 10 Ways to Avoid Mosquito Bites in the Cook Islands for more options!
© PexelsMore About Health, Safety and Sustainability in the Cook Islands
That’s it for our guides on how to prevent mosquito bites in the Cook Islands, as well as some of our recommended eco-friendly mosquito repellents for Rarotonga and the Cook Islands. Check out some of the other health and safety guides:
- What to Medication to Pack in Your First Aid Kit for Rarotonga & the Cook Islands
- 10 Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens for Rarotonga & the Cook Islands
- Is the Water Safe to Drink in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands?
Finally, make more sustainable choices by following our 31 Ways to Travel More Sustainably in the Cook Islands.
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