Today at Napiers we launch our reformulated bugbuster outdoor cream in honour of the dawn of the new Carolean age under his majesty King Charles III. Bugbuster, The Carolean Edition, has been specially formulated to reflect his majesty’s love for the highlands of Scotland, a love also shared by the Napier family. In the summer Duncan Napier would rise early to venture into the countryside to collect herbs and would make many trips further north collecting herbs in a way that was continued by both his sons and grandsons.

 

 As a well known lover of nature, and someone who loves to walk the highlands of Scotland we thought what better way to reflect his majesty’s passions than to reformulate our classic bugbuster with the addition of a very special Highland Bog Mrytle (myrica gale) extract.

Anyone who has walked in the Scottish highlands will know that, whilst beautiful, there can sometimes be the presence of an irksome companion in the form of thousands of midges. These small biting flies can be the ruin of many a gentle stroll especially at dusk and dawn.

 

 

Bog myrtle is a herbaceous shrub which grows widely on Royal Deeside with a scent especially disliked by bothersome biting insects. At Napiers we take a dried collection of wild Bog Mrytle leaves to make a hydrosol (flower water). Our flower water is made by passing steam over the Bog Mrytle leaves providing us with a collection of condensed water and Bog Mrytle essential oil. We then add the Bog Mrytle extract to our cream.

Bugbuster Outdoor cream is the perfect cream for anyone looking to use a natural cream to repel insects rather than an artificial chemical based repellent. As well as bog myrtle, Bugbuster “The Carolean edition” also contains citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, chickweed and jojoba oil. Tried and trusted over many years our combination of botanicals will gently repel biting insects without leaving the chemical skin feeling that many industrial insect repellents will cause.

Apply the moisturising and cooling cream to the exposed body like the arms, legs and neck before an attack begins, it is especially good to be used if one expects to be dining outside in the evening. Reapply after a few hours.

Please note: For use by adults. Avoid the eye area when applying Bugbuster and not suitable for use by those pregnant or breastfeeding.

SHOP NOW

 

Information on individual ingredients

Summer is a season where we all spend much more time outdoors. However, it is also the time when biting insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, and flies are at their peak. You might have also noticed that these insects seem to be more active at certain times of the day and climate change seems to be making them more active for more of the day too! While there are many insect repellents on the market, there is a growing preference for natural solutions to repel these pests. Fortunately, there are several herbs that are known to repel biting insects effectively. There is a temptation to dismiss herbal and folk remedies as ineffective but the efficacy of citronella, lavender, peppermint, bog myrtle, and eucalyptus in naturally repelling biting insects is without doubt. Read on to find out more about these insect busting herbs:

Citronella

Citronella is a popular herb that has been used for centuries to repel insects, and those who sit surrounded by citronella candles know that it works. The essential oil extracted from citronella is particularly effective against mosquitoes. In a study published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, it was found that citronella oil provided 89% protection against mosquitoes for up to three hours.

Lavender

Lavender is a perfumed plant that gives a head scent that is widely used in gardens and essential oil blends. Its sweet scent is pleasant to humans but is known to repel mosquitoes, flies, and fleas. In a study published in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, it was found that lavender essential oil was able to provide 93% protection against mosquitoes for up to 90 minutes.

Peppermint

Peppermint is a refreshing herb that is popularly known for its cooling properties. It is also known for its insect-repelling properties, particularly against mosquitoes. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that peppermint oil was effective in repelling mosquitoes for up to 150 minutes.

Bog Myrtle

Bog myrtle is a lesser-known herb that is native to northern Europe it grows particularly well in Scotland. It has a strong, pleasant scent similar to myrtle and eucalyptus. It has been found to be effective in repelling mosquitoes, ticks, and flies. In a study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology, it was found that bog myrtle oil was able to repel 86% of mosquitoes for up to three hours.


Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a popular herb that is known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also an effective insect repellent, particularly against mosquitoes. In a study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology, a eucalyptus-based repellent was found to provide 95% protection against mosquitoes for up to three hours.

SHOP NOW