Does Ant Killer Expire?
WouterSeveral brands of bug sprays do not have expiration dates on them. These include products from Murphy’s Naturals, Off!, Repel, Ranger Ready, and Sawyer.
Some of these brands use essential oils as their active ingredient. These oils do not go bad like food, but over time they may become less effective. You should check to see if your bug spray contains an essential oil. If it does, it may not be as effective as the newer version.
Another type of bug spray uses picaridin, which is a chemical that is stable. Picaridin is used in several products, including Sawyer and Off!. If your bug spray has an expiration date, you should discard it. Picaridin will lose its effectiveness over time.
DEET is a chemical that is also used as an active ingredient in many bug sprays. DEET is a highly effective insect repellent that has been around for years. This is because DEET does not degrade, so it will remain stable for several years. This is especially useful for bug sprays that are meant to be used in places where mosquitoes are common. In fact, doctors often recommend using DEET in places with high levels of mosquito-borne diseases.
Another type of bug spray is the oil of lemon eucalyptus. This oil is used in many all-natural products. The oil does not go bad, but it may be less effective after two years. IR3535 is another ingredient, which is used in some bug sprays. It is not as stable as DEET, and it has an expiration date of 18 months after the manufacture date.
