Want some natural bug repellent and soap?

Today's your day, then!

Third Day Naturals, a small, family-owned business from New York state (read more of their story here), makes natural soaps, lotion bars, and lip balms, and they've recently come out with a bug repellent spray.

third day naturals bug spray

It's free of DEET, is water-based, and it honestly is way less disgusting-smelling than any other natural bug repellent I've tried. You don't feel like you need to take a shower afterward. 😉 It actually smells kinda good.

Its best use is for repelling ticks, so if that's your main bug problem, this would be perfect.

We don't have that many ticks in our yard, but we have mosquitoes aplenty, and unfortunately, they're the Asian Tiger sort, which bite all day long, not just at night.

That's why I have this big 'ol fan set up every time I go outside to paint in the summer. It helps to blow them away, but doesn't completely take care of the problem.

sawhorses for painting cabinets

Like any natural bug repellent I've tried, the Third Day Naturals variety confuses the mosquitoes to a degree but doesn't prevent 100% of bites (at least, not with the Asian Tiger mosquitoes.)

However, the combination of the fan and the bug repellent did the trick for me while I was painting and I barely got bitten at all, even though I logged lots of outside hours.

Ok.

If you'd like to give this stuff a try, you'll like today's giveaway. Third Day Naturals is going to give a bottle of bug repellent AND two bars of their soap (you get to choose the scent) to a reader.

To enter, just leave a comment...you can tell me how you keep bugs away, or you can tell me what soap scents you'd choose (see all the options here!).

Or if you're feeling very uncreative, you can just tell me you want to win. 😉

We'll make this a quick 48-hour giveaway, so get your entries in by 7:00 am EST on Thursday.

One entry per person, please.

Third Day sent me a bottle of Bug Mist to try, but this giveaway was not sponsored in any other way.
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Joshua's 365 post: Explorer

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252 Comments

  1. My daughter LOVES the sample pack we got from Third Day - she'd be asking for the Citrus Sunshine for certain.

  2. I'd love to try the citrus sunshine and the pink grapefruit. Luckily, the bugs haven't been too bad here in Chicago this year, so I haven't had to do much. Thanks for the giveaway!

  3. I love buying local and natural. I have not tried Third Day Naturals brand yet. I am going to have to check out their 'story'. The bug spray would certainly get used and if I were able to pick a scent of soap, I would chose Goat's Milk, Oats, & Honey or Citrus Sunshine.

    Blessings!
    Steph

  4. I've been looking for a good, natural bug spray! I have found a few I'd like to try but they usually are kind of pricey so I hate to spend the money without knowing how good they are - this is perfect!

  5. I'm lucky that mosquitoes don't like me very much but they LOVE my husband. He's not one to keep still though so he mostly avoids them by being very active in the evenings. But I'd love some natural bug repellent for the times when that's not possible!

  6. Ticks are a huge problem in Connecticut....long pants tucked into socks.....but this is a hot outfit to wear in the summer and I look like a dork.

    Would LOVE non-deet spray that would keep the ticks at bay.

  7. We stopped using mosquito spray in our yard because of what it was doing to our veggie garden and flowering trees but now I need some bug repellant and would love to try some that smells good!

  8. I would try the head-to-toe soap (seems like it would be good for the gym bag!) and the goats milk oats and honey! A bug spray that works mainly on ticks would be great for hiking in the woods!

  9. I wish I had some tips, but mine is to stay inside and avoid the mosquitoes. My husband and I were just talking yesterday about this. We wanted to go sit on the patio, but it wasn't worth taking a shower afterwards to get the bug spray off. We'd love something you didn't have to decontaminate from after.

  10. I'm guessing this is not open to international readers, but if it is, I keep bugs away by wearing long sleeves. I'm one of those lucky people who doesn't get bitten much 🙂

  11. I would pick the pink grapefruit scented soap. And there are tons of bugs in my area so I'd love to try this.

  12. I've tried making homemade natural bug repellent - using various essential oils, vanilla, and witch hazel, and it smells pretty nice, BUT... the bugs are still biting! So I'd love to try out a different natural version!

  13. We ARE in a tick prone area and I'd love to give this a try. Too many people I know have had the Lyme Disease recently and it's just awful! Plus, natural and smells good are great features!

  14. I have cats ,the keep most bugs from getting to me inside the house. Outside we have a ton of dragon flies that eat all those nasty other things and I try not to walk the dogs by the lake at night.

  15. I made my own citronella candles this year. Don't know how well they work since the first day was too windy and the second time I tried, the wick burned out. Hoping to try again, or try this spray!

  16. I'm always up for trying a bug spray that is not bad for you, as I definitely need it in the garden at times and for camping.

  17. we have lots of ticks in our area. I have to use bug spray containing deet and do daily body checks. Oh, and I want to win.

  18. I am moving next week to a house in the forest (literally a forest!) so I really appreciated this post. I need to try some natural formulations because I would rather stay indoors than put on the mainstream insect repellents that are sold. I desperately need some vitamin D!

  19. Ah, I would love to win this! I'm in the market to find something baby friendly for my 8 month old little girl:) Thank you for the giveaway!!

  20. I want to win! Haha, but also I find it very difficult to find bug repellents that do the trick. My husband and I must be super sweet with how many bug bites we get, and we've tried almost every kind of repellent out there!

    Lavender Oatmeal for me please!

  21. Sat on my porch for ten minutes in early evening, (before sundown), last week. Mosquitoes got me. Dabbed white vinegar on bites which helped to curb immediate itching, and bites were pretty much gone by the next day. Hooray for inexpensive, natural, POST-bite treatment! 🙂

  22. Ticks are a terrible problem here in the northeast, so I would love to try this for my kids! I'd choose the "nude" soap for me and my very sensitive skin and "evergreen" for my husband (born and raised in Alaska, I think he'd love the scent!).

  23. I wuld like something spicey- pepperminty....
    I, along with two of our 4 teens, have a genetic lung and liver condition that makes avoiding harsh chemicals a matter of , literally, life or death. I usually just rely on my love of garlic and onions in order to keep bugs away : )

  24. If I win, it would be Lavender oatmeal or Goat's Milk, Oats and Honey Soap - so many sound so good! It's hard to choose

  25. We tend to stay inside to avoid bugs when they are at their worst. My littlest and I swell up when we get bit. 🙁 I would love to try something safe for my littlest sweetie.

  26. This is a very exciting giveaway for me for a couple reasons. First, this company is only about an hour away from me and somehow I've never heard of it. I'm glad to know about it and the prices look so reasonable! Second, I live in an area with one of the highest tick populations out there. Several members of my family and friends have been treated for Lyme disease at some time or other. It'd be nice to find a natural repellent that works! If I won, I'd love to try the Lemongrass Coriander soap and the Head-to-Toe soap.

  27. Encourage bats and swallows to live around you. They eat tons of flying insects. Also keep empty anything with any standing water in it.
    Lavender essential oil repels insects.
    Sandalwood is a favorite scent.

  28. Mosquito bites are our problem, my teenage girls get eaten alive - but they do NOT like to smell like stinky repellent - would love to try this one! Would love to use the grapefruit and peppermint soaps too! Thanks for the post. 🙂

  29. Mosquitos love me. I spray skin so soft on my exposed skin immediately before I go out. I think because I spray a lot on they may have trouble staying on my skin long enough to bite. But it seems to work well for me.

  30. At home, I use citronella candles to keep away the bugs...but I could sure use some natural bug mist for hiking!

  31. I would love to try a non-stinky natural bug spray. And all those yummy sounding soup scents.....it would be hard to decide!

  32. I would love to try the bug repellent for my boys! We have lots of ticks where we live.

    And I would like to win the lavender oatmeal and the citrus scent.

  33. I would love to win. I like the idea of the Sunshine Citrus fragrance. I'd like for my husband to be able to try the bug spray. He rides through cattle all day and we have been trying things to find something that he can stand.

  34. We have almost come to the point of not going outside particularly after about 4:00pm because the bugs are so bad. We have tried the dryer sheet thing to no avail. I would try the citrus bar and/or one of the oatmeal bars because my daughter has terrible allergies. In the winter her skin is so dry that we do oatmeal baths to help with the itching. This could be great for her. Thanks for the chance.

  35. I would love to try the goat's milk, oats, & honey soap. It sounds so rich and I love cinnamon. Thanks 🙂

  36. We usually use Avon deet free repellent. I would love to try this brand. Citrus sunshine sounds great!

  37. Mosquitos LOVE me, but the feeling is not at all mutual! On top of that, I LOATHE putting repellents on my body. I'm an avid gardner here in hot and humid VA so this means that I have lots of bites. I would love to try this all natural product. I would choose the lavendar, pink grapefruit, or sunshine soap. Thanks🌻

  38. I'd love to figure out how to deal with the tiger mosquitoes. They literally drove me inside yesterday, preventing me from getting everything I wanted to do done (mosquitoes make me swell badly and they REALLY like me). I hate bug spray but would love to find a natural one that works. As for the soap scents, I think I'd like the Rosemary and the Evergreen the best.

  39. We have mosquitos that carry the West Nile Virus here in Oklahoma. I would love to try this Deet free insect repellant! The Triple Mint Mocha and Oatmeal Lavender scent for the soap sounds really nice.

  40. To keep the mosquitos out of the yard, keep the grass cut and spray it down with dish soap (use one of those sprayers that attach to the hose).

  41. Would love to try the bug spray - I've been looking for a natural one that actually works! We spend a lot of time outdoors - hiking, camping, biking and just exploring. Peppermint tea tree soap sounds wonderful too:-)

  42. Any scent would be fine--I'd be thrilled to win--but if I have a choice, pink grapefruit sounds lovely! 😉

  43. I'm interested in trying their bug spray, I'm using a natural one now but it's oil based so it leaves your skin greasy...

  44. My bug bitten legs would love to win these! Lavender oatmeal sounds divinely soothing, and citrus sunshine sounds like the kick I need to start my day!

  45. I DO want some natural bug spray. Thanks for asking! I just swat and hope to not get West Nile "” so far, without exception, bug sprays irritate my eyes. This would be neat to try. And how impressed am I that they have two soaps for sensitive skin?

  46. HI-

    I am a mosquito magnet! I haven't ever found anything that keeps the bugs off me, so I would love to try something new, especially something without deet. I get eaten alive just going outside to water my veggies!

    All of the soaps look fantastic, but I would personally choose something herb related like mint, sage, etc. Those are my favorite scents!

  47. I try to keep moving and stay out of the shady areas. It's not perfect either but helps. I'm also pretty good at slapping them. Although I wonder if that slapping might attract more of the little buggers.

  48. I just checked out their website and I think I've found my new source for soap! I'm highly allergic to sulfur in any form and it is hard to find soap that is formulated without sulfates or another sulfur derivative. I'd love to try their Citrus Sunshine Soap & Naked Oatmeal Soap.

  49. So my way of fighting misquito's - swatting - lots and lots of swatting. I really need to win this giveaway!

  50. Ticks have always been a problem at Boy Scout camp here in Florida, so Deet has always been a must. I would love to try something more natural.

  51. I've tried a few different natural bug repellents and some of them work pretty well, but you're right, you just want to take a shower afterwards...

  52. We have lots of chiggers and mosquitoes. When I'm gardening or mowing, I wear long sleeves and long pants (lightweight), even if it's hot. I spray repellent on my socks and shoes and around the bottom of my pants--that way I don't have to get any on my skin. I throw my clothes in the wash when I'm done!

  53. I'd love to win this, we can never win against the mosquitos esp. naturally. I've tried regular fans which help, bug fans (which help but hate the chemicals), natural sprays, even a citronella plant!

  54. I have been using Burt's Bees Bug Spray. My redhead, fair-skinned girl is like a magnet for all biting bugs. Even with bug spray we counted 22 mosquito bites!

  55. It would take awhile for me to decide which soap, as they all sound marvelous.
    Knowing someone with Lyme Disease, I would love to try the bug repellent.

  56. We've been trying for some time to find a natural bug repellant that works. I'd love to try this against ticks which are a major problem here in NY.

  57. Being a business owner also, I am always on the lookout for great natural products to share or sell. In Oklahoma especially with all the rain this year, we gave plenty of ticks and Mosquitos. Would like to find a great product that I could also use on my grand kids without any worries.

    As far as a scent on the soaps, the Lavender Oatmeal sounds wonderful.

    Thank you for allowing me to participate in your free product drawing.

  58. Thankfully bugs don't bite me much. Just to reduces the chances further I do try to stick around citronella candles or diffusers and stay off the grass during the times they are most active.

    1. You can see me in my garden wearing a long sleeve, hooded sweatshirt and long pants tucked into my socks even in 90 degree humid weather... I would love to try the bug spray 🙂

  59. Thank you very much for getting the word out on this great company. If I were chosen, I would choose: Peppermint Tea Tree Soap and Goat's Milk Oat and Honey.

  60. I have been using the sample pack of the third day naturals soaps and I have loved them all. They lather just as much as my old liquid soap with no crazy chemicals. I am really excited about the bug spray too because I run in areas with long grass and would love to deter the ticks!

  61. Oh bug spray would be great! We have been using the off fan for our little boy, which I suppose is a miniature version of your anti-bug solution. The skeeters are super aggressive this year!

  62. We have a slow flowing creek in our back yard. I thought I would love it but I don't because of the mosquitoes. My solution is stay inside. My husbands is to wear long sleeves and long pants even in the summer. If it is above 90, he might break down and use OFF.

  63. We have Mosquitos horribly bad here and I would love a natural spray. My husband uses it when he hunts in spring and it would help him greatly too. I've used the "Vinegar of the four thieves" and it works pretty good but I feel like I smell like salad dressing. 🙂

  64. My family does lots of camping and this would be great to have to keep the bugs away! The Citrus Sunshine sounds wonderful!

  65. I keep bugs away from me by hanging out with my son. Bugs LOVE him; poor kid is always covered in itchy bites.

    Joke, obviously, but not for him. I haven't found a repellent I've felt comfortable spraying all over him, so this would be nice to try.

  66. I used an essential oil spray that I mix myself. Seems to work okay, but Mosquitos don't usually bite me all that much anyway. My kids however seem to be getting bit up more these days so I'd love to try something new and safe for them.

  67. I noticed that mosquitoes stayed away when I was regularly drinking apple cider vinegar for health reasons. Two-for-one! I would like to win!

  68. I would love to win this! We have tons of ticks where we live (and lymes disease too). I've been using the regular bug spray, but thinking about trying something more natural.
    If I won, I'd choose the citrus sunshine soap!!!! 🙂

  69. Thank you so much for the chance. I am always working in my flower beds and I get bitten so much that I have to go to the doctor.

  70. When I was a little girl, I went to summer camp and learned all about outdoor life. A very handsome counsellor whom I had a crush on told me that oranges and other citrus fruits are natural repellents and that if you eat them and drink their juices, they will naturally be released through your skin. Willing to do just about anything he said, I did it and it seemed to work. Now as an adult I still spend a lot of time camping, hiking, climbing and canoeing. If I know I'm going to be out all day in the forest or something I eat oranges and drink orange juice and I have never had a problem.

  71. this I could use. I also saw recently a list of herbs that may deter mosquitoes. Worth a try. At least we would have herbs for cooking.

  72. I love integrating natural means of home and self/health care into my life--the more, the better! I usually always have fans going during the warmer months, but this product might be nice for spraying in corners and doorways.

  73. I'd like this.

    Also, if you have a way not to have video ads, that'd be great. They hang up my browser something aweful.

  74. I mostly stay inside to avoid the mosquitoes, but my kids are out all the time, and the mosquitoes LOVE little kid skin. I would love to try this on them.

  75. Ooh, peppermint tea tree and lavender oatmeal! I usually use a locally made natura l repellant but had to resort to DEET a couple of times this year.

  76. On Pinterest it suggested original Listerine - I'm sure campers around us were wondering what the crazy woman was doing spraying mouthwash around a camper... Did it work? Don't know because it rained all through the trip. Didn't get any mozzie bites though 🙂

  77. I keep the bugs away with other natural bug sprays but a lot of them don't work well so I would like to try this one!!! thanks!

  78. I keep the bugs away with other natural bug sprays but a lot of them don't work well so I would like to try this one!!! thanks!

  79. I wish we had a great way to keep bugs away! The best thing we found was just living in the Phoenix, AZ area...it was often too dry and hot for those suckers. Now we're in Austin, and basically look like we have chicken pox 24/7 lol!

  80. I don't actually do anything for mosquitoes except for try to wear long clothes when appropriate. I guess we only have the kind that bite at night which 1) I didn't realize until I read this post 2) I am now very grateful for. I had looked into making some bug repellant but never got around to it so it would be nice to try someone else's home made and probably much better version. I am also terrified of ticks. I would let my boyfriend pick the "flavors" of soap since he loves bar soap so much more than I do. I'll have to see if their stuff is carried in any stores around here since I'm also in upstate NY!

  81. I've been using the regular DEET stuff to keep mosquitoes away, but would love to try a more health- and environment- friendly option!

  82. I haven't had much of a problem this summer (very unusual). They normally feast on me. I'd love to try something new and see if it works.

  83. I bought some natural bug spray while vacationing in Mexico. It's so nice to not feel covered with chemicals! I'd love to have another bottle on hand. Mosquitoes are fierce around our house this summer!

  84. Please let me have Multi-Tasking Rosemary soap! And the bottle of Bug Mist sounds like a boon for my husband when he's mowing in the backyard or watering our surviving roses (in hot, hot, hot Texas).

  85. I have a bug chasing dog. She is half Shar Pei, half Pit Bull. You would think they are so tiny, she couldnt keep up with them, but she gets them every time!

  86. This is amazing! Just this week, my poor little toddlers have little red mosquito bumps all over. I just don't know what repellent is safe. But, I trust Third Day Naturals, so this would be amazing. Thanks for the chance!!

  87. Living in Arizona, we fortunately don't have horrible bugs year round. However, the mosquitos always seem to know where to find me!

  88. Ooo! Lavender Oatmeal sounds great! (So far my favorite bug repellent has been Off botanicals, but I think they discontinued it.)

  89. I've never tried any of these products....I'm going to have to think a bit on the soaps...Looks like Tea Tree is a popular one.

  90. I would like to win because "I LOVE NEW YORK!" and everything about it. I reluctantly moved to Kentucky from NY and have looked for an evergreen tree with a scent like the balsam trees in NY, but, alas, KY has nothing to offer me with that scent. Evergreen scented soap would be a lovely reminder in my bathroom - and the fact that it's Made in New York makes it doubly meaningful.

  91. We use Off, but I'd like to try something natural....especially for my son. Hard to choose which soap I'd like - but if I have to narrow it down, I'd have to say lemongrass coriander, Citrus sunshine, lavender oatmeal, or evergreen.

  92. I'd LOVE to try a new mosquito repellent that is completely DEET free! I've heard of REPEL's lemon and eucalyptus (tried it once and it was freaking amazing, with a much appreciated cooling affect about 2 minutes after spraying it on my skin on a 95°+ day), but haven't had a chance to find it in stock anywhere to buy my own bottle. After that, a coworker brought me a bar of someone's homemade 'bug off' - which has a bit of many different natural oils in it. If I were to win, I'd try Third Day Naturals' head-to-toe soap and the grapefruit has me interested, too ~ I love grapefruit scented products. Thanks for the opportunity! We moved close to the Flint River last year ~ I've learned my lesson for the future, but now need to deal with the mosquitos as naturally as I can find how to 🙂

  93. I think I would try the lavender oatmeal and pink grapefruit soaps. I hope I win. A friend's dad was just diagnosed with West Nile. Ugg!

  94. Peppermint tea tree and naked oatmeal sound great. Or Citrus Sunshine and Goat's Milk, Oats, and Honey. Or . . .

  95. I've struggled with trying to repel mosquitoes for years with no success. I would definitely be excited to give this a try!

  96. I currently use skin so soft for bug repellant. I think it is giving my son eczema, though, so it would be nice to try a natural repellant instead. The rosemary and the goat's milk soaps sound awesome!

  97. We are driving to Door County, WI from NYC in 2 weeks and they have Pretty Impressive Mosquitos there. The mosquito repellant would be most welcome to make the trip with us! I love the idea of the Head to Toe soap that you can use on your hair, and the pink grapefruit sounds delicious.

  98. I would love to try the Multi-tasking Rosemary or maybe the Lemongrass Corriander. Both sounds so nice!

  99. I wish we had a better mosquito solution! We do use citronella candles, which help when we want to eat at the picnic table outside... Would love to try this; thanks!

  100. At our old house, my son used to develop huge welts after being bitten by these strange-looking mosquitoes with striped legs. I never knew what kind they were until reading your post! This was about 15 years ago. I'm glad to know what they were, and I would love to try the insect repellent you are offering. : )

  101. Living in Chicago, I don't have too much of a mosquito or tick problem. But would love to try some for when I go out to the suburbs to visit family.

  102. I think the lavender and oatmeal soap would smell great and soothe my sensitive skin, too. I also like the idea of the "nude" soap for sensitive skin.

  103. Oh, pick me. Pick me! The peppermint tea tree soap looks wonderful. And I am always on the lookout for new and improved natural insect repellent sprays. The one we use now forces you to run to the shower as soon as you return to the indoors. 😉

  104. I've been making my own bug repellant: lemongrass and eucalyptus oils diluted generously with water, in a spray bottle. But I've been wanting to try Third Day for a while, too. Thanks for the chance!

  105. Oh pick me. We have those horrible asian tiger mosquitos too. HATE them, especially when they bite my 8 month old Jack =(

    Goat's Milk, Oats and Honey & Citrus Sunshine!

  106. The Citrus Sunshine sounds like a perfect fit - since I live in the Sunshine state. 🙂

  107. I'd love to see how well this works for me! I get bit so much - I usually have to resort to long sleeves and long pants. But if it's super hot and that isn't feasible, I like to use avon skin so soft. I've found it works to a decent degree. Thanks!

  108. Ohh, I have some homemade stuff brewing on my counter that supposedly kept some robbers from getting the plague way back in the day. I haven't opened it up yet, but I don't think it's going to smell pretty.
    My hubby currently uses this gadget that his mom got him that emits a high pitched whine that is suppose to keep the skeeters away. Drives me crazy but he thinks it works.
    Thanks for the chance for some free goodies!

  109. I would love to try the Lemongrass Coriander soap or the Lavender Oatmeal soap. Both are calming and relaxing scents.

    The bugs are pretty bad where I live in Upstate NY. We have been using Skin So Soft without success. I have been looking for a Burt's Bees Insect Repellent I heard about it but haven't had any luck finding it locally.

  110. I would absolutely love the Citrus Sunshine or Lavender Oatmeal soap! I've been looking into natural soaps...thanks for the give-away! Love your page!

  111. The fan trick works pretty well for the mosquitoes and it helps to just keep moving, too. This time of year it's almost unbearable to sit still outside (humid FL makes that a challenge anyway)!

  112. I found a bug repellent bandana at the thrift store and used it for my mission trip to Nicaragua. I has no bug issues at all. Other people on the trip still for bit with spray. Also lemongrass coriander sounds yummy!

  113. I'd love to try a natural bug repellent because my skin is sensitive to chemicals and mosquitos seem to love to bite me.

  114. We are having an awful problem with seed ticks this year, and I have been looking for something safe to use on my kids. I will have to look in to this whether I win or not!

  115. When we sit outside we light the tiki tourches and if the mosquitoes are really bad we fire up the fan! Really dislike the sprays with deet, so would love to try the natural spray!!

  116. I have been looking for a deet free product! The Mosquitos in the Mississippi Delta are the worst I've seen anywhere. Would love to try this product!!! Thanks for the posts and the give away! 🙂

  117. We have potted herbs in our back garden (cilantro, spearmint, peppermint, etc.) and i move those to where i am working if i am going to be in the yard for long. They keep some of the mosquitoes away.

  118. I use Avon's Skin so soft bug repellent. It works well enough but I'd prefer an all natural one!

    I'd choose peppermint tea tree soap and head-to-toe soap.