A plague of mosquitoes is set to unleash a wave of torment during this year’s holiday season, as the floods caused by the storms on Australia’s east coast cause a surge of mosquito breeding.
“Wet weather always brings out the mosquitoes, which means that for those hoping to enjoy the great outdoors this summer, they’ll be accompanied by mosquitoes, and for many, that means the misery of mosquito bites,” says chemist and founder of Good Riddance natural mosquito repellent, Jeannie Lynch.
The combination of sunny days and predicted showers is the ideal breeding condition for mosquitoes, in particular, Culex annuilrostris and Aedes notoscriptus - two prominent breeders that respond to rainfall and warm weather. These species can increase the spread of Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus.
Good Riddance is the ultimate saviour for those seeking a natural alternative to keeping mosquitoes at bay - one in four Australian consumers prefer a natural-based insect repellent due to skin issues.
After noticing the harmful effects of DEET-based mosquito repellents, breast cancer survivor and Brisbane mother-of-two Catherine Jones, 52, was desperate in her search for a safer alternative until she discovered Good Riddance.
“Whenever I used a repellent that contained DEET, my skin would erupt in a rash, and the mosquitoes would still bite me, leaving me with a rash that lasted three weeks and large welts and bites,” Jones said. “After going through breast cancer, I prefer to use natural products and treat my body well. However, I was being driven insane and miserable by the mosquitoes.”
Jones and her husband decided to take their two children travelling around Australia to spend time together as a family, following her years of gruelling treatment.
“I knew that I did not want to hide from the mosquitoes in my caravan. I wanted to sit by the fire with my family,” said Jones. “Thankfully, I found Good Riddance. It is natural, so I don’t worry about any side effects, and it works.”
The creation of Good Riddance was inspired by chemist and founder Jeannie Lynch’s discovery of the destructive nature of store-bought DEET-based repellents, when Lynch noticed they had the power to melt plastic.
“I was getting concerned because I noticed that the DEET repellents we were using were melting our sunglasses. One night, we spilt some on our outdoor table, and it melted the plastic tabletop. So, I quickly became very concerned about what it could be doing to their bodies,” says Lynch.
“I went looking for a safer, more natural alternative, but the natural repellents we tested either didn’t work, or smelt and felt so horrible that they were impossible to wear daily. We were travelling around Australia, so we covered our boys in repellents several times a day. I noticed most repellents had a big warning that said that the product ‘may be dangerous to children, particularly if used in large amounts on the skin… or on large areas of the body, especially if you keep using it for a long time.’ I went looking for a safer, more natural alternative, but the natural repellents we tested either didn’t work, or smelt and felt so horrible that they were impossible to wear daily.”
The result is Good Riddance. “Our natural (DEET-free) repellent has undergone rigorous clinical testing and boasts longer-lasting protection compared to other essential oil-based alternatives,” says Jeannie. “Unlike many repellents on the market that provide as little as 15 minutes of protection, Good Riddance stands strong, offering a minimum of 90 minutes, with some users experiencing protection for up to four hours.”
Good Riddance's unique formula is a testament to nature's efficiency, harnessing the power of pure essential oil actives within a luxurious moisturising cream. Unlike traditional repellents, Good Riddance employs advanced technology to encapsulate these essential oil actives for a slower release, ensuring effective protection for 3-4 hours.
“We are pleased that Woolworths are now stocking our product on their Queensland shelves – just in time for mosquito season,” said Lynch. “Good Riddance is a natural, DEET-free insect repellent that is designed to combat the imminent mosquito surge.”
Good Riddance also offers a sensitive insect repellent, the only one in Australia designed for babies under 12 months of age (and registered with APVMA).
Along with regular applications of Good Riddance, Jeannie also suggests preventing mosquitoes from swarming by clearing pooled water in your backyard or outdoor areas, regularly washing and cleaning your rubbish bins, and wearing loose clothing to protect your skin.
Key Facts:
* Recent floods threaten to bring mosquito-borne viruses
* Rise in consumers who prefer natural repellent
* Founder of Good Riddance created the formula after a DEET-based repellent melted sunglasses and caused rashes
* Breast cancer survivor reacted to DEET-based repellents
About us:
Good Riddance was born in Darwin, where the founder, Jeannie, spent two years studying cosmetic chemistry and tirelessly trialling formulas with local fishermen around Kakadu. The desire to create these products sprang from a personal experience, living in the tropics with two mosquito-magnet kids, seeking alternatives to DEET and finding the natural options less effective. Visit www.goodriddance.com.au for stockists.
Contact details:
Charmaine Prosser
0421 771 938
