Skip to content

Ethical brand ratings and accreditation since 2001

The Bug Watch

How ethical is The Bug Watch? 

The Bug Watch is a brand of insect repellent watches, based in The Netherlands. The brand is owned by The Bug Co., and is one of The Good Shopping Guide’s top-rated ethical brands and is featured on our list of the Top 200 Ethical Businesses.

The Good Shopping Guide does not currently rate insect repellent brands, so this company does not appear on our ratings tables. The Bug Watch was awarded our Ethical Accreditation for its environmental and ethical initiatives.

In which areas does The Bug Watch perform well?

The Bug Watch performs well across our criteria for its commitment to the Environment, Animals and to People. Its technology is a good alternative to DEET and uses a natural form of insect repellent called Citriodiol®. This product also prevents going through bottles and bottles of insect repellent, using up plastic and causing waste. The Bug Watch is a watch strap with a small block of Citriodiol®, which lasts up to 15 days. After 15 days, you can refill your block. This is an environmentally-conscientious product that takes into account the welfare of insects and ecosystems. 

What makes The Bug Watch so sustainable?

The Bug Watch has a wide range of sustainable initiatives that further the brand’s ethical status. The Bug Watch does not harm or kill insects, but rather the Citriodiol® masks smells that could lure mosquitoes, ticks and other creepy crawlies to you. However, did you know that even bugs and insects are part of ecosystems too, and killing them with traditional sprays can have a wider ripple effect on lots of wildlife?

Citriodiol®  is the trade name for the chemical compound Eucalyptus citriodora oil and “Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus”. These are all-natural ingredients that are enhanced to increase the repellency of Citriodiol®. This ingredient, used in The Bug Watch, is not easily absorbed into our skin, and is GMO-free, organic and biodegradable! 

The Bug Watch also does not mis-market its products or misinform its customers; you can read more about the lab tests that support Citriodiol® as an effective insect repellent here!

How did The Bug Watch attain Ethical Accreditation? 

The Bug Watch has attained Ethical Accreditation from The Good Shopping Guide. This involved an application process and a full review of the brand’s ethical policies and practices. The Bug Watch is subject to an annual review to ensure the company maintains high ethical standards.

As a result, The Bug Watch is permitted to use our Good Shopping Guide Ethical logo, which certifies the brand’s ethical status and allows consumers to recognise The Bug Watch as an ethical brand.