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Old Repellants?

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Richwon4

07/12/2021 09:30AM

I have some good Sawyer Repellant that is two years old. Does it lose its potency over time?

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mgraber

07/12/2021 11:05AM

If it is DEET I doubt it. I have used DEET products that are over 10 years old that worked like new.

So many fish,so little time

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Jackfish

Moderator

07/15/2021 08:00AM

A simple Google search confirms what mgraber says. Insect repellent with DEET will be effective for several years. Here is what I found.

I guess the worst case scenario is you bring an older can of bug spray and it ends up not working very well so you throw it out when you get home and buy a new one before your next trip.

"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~ John Muir

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Captn Tony

07/15/2021 11:51AM

I have used 25 year old deet and it worked fine

You're going to HELL and you're going to drag me with ya!! -Gunsmoke

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boonie

07/15/2021 12:41PM

Here's the answer I got from maker:

Repellents containing the active ingredients DEET or Picaridin will not expire unless there is: physical damage to the container (i.e. rust and significant denting in aerosols or slits in pump spray containers), wipes have dried out, or the product contains sunscreen. If the product contains sunscreen it will have a shelf life of 1 year.

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cowdoc