Crocodile! Insect Repellent

I've done my share of swatting and gotten more than my fair share of insect bites over a lifetime of living in Florida. Let's face it, bugs are a fact of life here where they crawl and fly their way into our homes, our cars and even... eek, even sometimes our clothes.

It's an age-old battle ground — us against them. And, because some of the insects we encounter carry dangerous diseases, it's more important than ever that we protect ourselves against these nasty pests, particularly mosquitoes (see What's Bugging Florida?).

Over the years, many advances have been made in repellents and most experts insist the only real protection that works is products containing the chemical DEET. However, for some this is not an option. Although most of these products are reportedly "safe" to use (after all, it is approved by the CDC), who isn't reluctant to spray chemicals on their skin? Personally, I have a sensitive sense of smell and most chemical-based products containing DEET give me an instant headache. Not much fun when you're trying to have a good time outdoors, but neither is itching from sand flea or mosquito bites. Still, there were few alternatives to the smelly sprays... until now.

What if there was a completely safe chemical-free alternative that would still offer a high degree of protection from insect bites? I was skeptical when Dan Siegel of Dancing Roots suggested I review his herbal-based insect repellent, but I was also intrigued. So, I agreed to put two of his family's products to the test — Crocodile!® Herbal Insect Repellent and CrocLight!® Herbal Insect Repellent Candle.

Crocodile! ... tested and named in the Florida Everglades!

Shortly after its creation, the Dancing Roots' team put their insect "discouragent" to the test in the Florida Everglades. They were directed to the most bug-infested area and instructed not to enter without "proper" protection. In other words, they should wear mosquito netting or be prepared to get eaten alive.

Whether they were confident in their product or just plain crazy, they hit the trail wearing just shorts and t-shirts and their herbal-based repellent. It worked! There were no bites!

It was while they were in the Everglades that the name came to them. Crocodiles are known for their tough skin and are naturally not affected by attacks from bugs and insects. Thus the product came to be called Crocodile!®

A Whiff of Nostalgia!

I admit that I don't have a scientific bone in my body. I don't care to know how something works... just that it works. I usually don't pay too much attention to the ingredients in the products I use either... unless they contain obnoxious-smelling chemicals that bother my overly sensitive nose. Certain smells often set off either a round of sneezing and/or an instant headache. Thus, DEET-based products had fallen out of favor in the Henthorn household, because... let's face it... DEET-laced repellents stink! Still, itching and scratching from all those bites really wasn't too much fun either, nor was the thought of contracting a life-threatening disease. I was more than ready for an alternative.

I had decided that my highly unscientific testing needed to be held under a variety of situations — at home, at the beach, camping, hiking, etc. Then I opened my package and set out the 2 oz. bottle of Crocodile!® lotion. Hmmm... it was a really, really little bottle. Would there be enough product to last through all that testing?

When I opened the bottle of Crocodile!® I didn't sneeze or get a headache, but I did get a whiff of nostalgia. It smells and feels remarkably like the repellents my parents used on me when I was a child. It's all-natural herbal ingredients — Rosemary, Thyme and Peppermint — must be responsible for its pleasant smell, and it's Canola Oil and Beeswax responsible for is oily, rather greasy consistency.

The BIG Question: Does it work?

Now all that was left was to actually use Crocodile!® and find out if it really works. I'm ready. From the time we moved to Florida when I was a young child, I've always been a bug magnet. Even in a crowd of people, I seem to be the one that was "bugged" by anything that flys and bites. I've tried lots of products aimed at keeping bugs away — lotions, sprays, wipes, Citronella candles. I even fell for one of my dad's "remedies." He once told me if you hold your breath when a mosquito lands on you, it won't bite. Yes, when I was younger I was that gullable. I tried it. Of course, he got the last laugh and I got an itchy welt on my arm.

Now it was time to quit holding my breath and give Crocodile!® a try. I poured a quarter-size amount of Crocodile!® onto my hand, rubbed it on my arms and neck and set out into the darkness for a walk. Over the next few months, when I would remember to pack it, I field-tested Crocodile!® in a variety of situations — on evening walks, at a known sand flea-infested beach, hiking in a state park and in our mosquito-infested garage.

It works! Only a small amount is needed. Crocodile!® packs a big punch when it comes to keeping the biting critters at bay, and it didn't irritate my sensitive skin or nose. The $9.00 two ounce bottle is a little small, but goes farther than you would imagine. It's well worth the price for a safe DEET-free repellent.

Little Candle Holds Big Surprise!

CrocLight!® is Dancing Roots' answer to the popular Citronella candle. Barely 2¼ inches in diameter and one inch high, this little candle is far superior to the big Citronella ones. Based on its tiny size, the fact that it will burn up to 10 hours is amazing. The fact that it contains no petroleum products or Citronella and can be used indoors is equally amazing. It works too! We used it one evening in our mosquito-infested garage and we watched in amazement as it drove the flying blood-suckers crazy. After a couple of minutes we didn't see another mosquito for the two hours we burnt the candle.

The Bottom Line

Don't let the size of these products fool you. Dancing Roots' Crocodile!® and CrocLight!® are great herbal-based products with no DEET or Citronella added. They are long-lasting, eco-friendly and safe for use directly on your skin. And, when you remember to pack them... they work really good!

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary products for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this article, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.