Built-In No Nasties Insect Repellent


Working towards a more sustainable and safe future for our pets and the environment

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Harnesses & Bandanas with built-in, no nasties insect protection
Effective, hypoallergenic, eco-friendly & machine washable

Harnesses & Bandanas with built-in, no nasties insect protection
Effective, hypoallergenic, eco-friendly & machine washable
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LAB TESTED

Effective against fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, 
bees, wasps, sandflies and biting flies
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ECO FRIENDLY

Repelabug™ Technology does not 
harm insects, pets or the environment.
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ODOURLESS

Perfect for sensitive doggy noses. 
Does not distract from sniffy walks!
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CONVENIENT

Everyday dog accessories, 
already part of your daily routine.
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HYPOALLERGENIC

Gentle on skin and fur
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INSPIRED BY NATURE

Compatible with both pharmaceutical 
and natural flea and tick treatments

Repelabug™ is effective against a wide range of insects

 Repelabug™ Technology does not kill insects—it simply helps keep them away. 

 

From ticks, fleas, lice, to biting flies and even wasps, our Repelabug™ treated products are a lab-proven effective repellent.  Some of these insects are more of a nuisance than a concern, but many carry vector-borne diseases that can affect humans and their pets.

The science behind our products

At the core of Repelabug™ Technology treated products is an advanced, pet-safe active ingredient called IR3535. Inspired by the naturally occurring amino acid, β-Alamin, it works by disrupting insects’ ability to detect a potential host, confusing their olfactory senses so they fly or crawl away.

 

Unlike pharmaceutical treatments that wash off in lakes, rivers, and the ocean, Repelabug™ Technology keeps the repellent embedded in the fabric, making it a safe and responsible choice for pet owners.

 

We use patented, exclusive technology to weave the insect repellent into the textiles in our European facility. Our products have an enduring effect, even after up to 80 rounds in the washing machine! The insect repellent is so deeply embedded in the fabric, it will degrade only as the fabric itself starts to degrade. 

Our repellent:

Gentle on human and pet skin

Gentle to nature

Does not harm or kill insects

Non-toxic to aquatic organisms

Does not accumulate in the environment

Does not cause pesticide resistance

How does it work?

 Insects avoid entering/landing spaces where a Repelabug product is being worn. IR3535 only provides a message to repel and does not attack or harm the insect.  IR3535 doesn’t use aromas to mask the attractant cues that biting insects use to locate their prey, and so it is odourless. Instead, it confuses and paralyses the olfactory senses of the insect and prevents them from recognising a potential host. It has no killing effect to target and non-target organisms. 

An exceptional safety profile

IR3535® is recommended as a safe and effective insect repellent by WHO (World Health Organisation), ECHA (European Chemicals Agency), CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). As a substance, it is considered safe for use by infants and pregnant woman. It was given U classification by the WHO and has the best toxicological and eco-toxicological profile in its category for all approved biocides.

Who Can Benefit from Repelabug™ Technology Treated Products?

Whether you want to reduce your use of pharmaceutical flea and tick treatments, or you prefer to stick strictly to alternatives, Whippa Snappa's Repelabug™ insect repellent is inspired by nature and gentle on your pet and the environment.

Amanda & Toby

Amanda does not want to treat her dog with flea and tick tablets or topical treatments. She has read a lot of negative stories online and is concerned, and just wants the best for Toby.

 

Amanda uses strictly natural treatments, but finds they don't always work and often rely on strong smells and odours to keep pests away. Eucalyptus oil irritates Toby's skin and he hates the smell. 

 

Amanda buys Whippa Snappa products as a safe, effective solution. She loves the designs and patterns. 

The Hughes Family & Bertie

The Hughes family would like to reduce their use of traditional insecticides with Bertie the Labrador. They're concerned about the impact of pesticidal chemicals on their children and the environment. They use a well-known brand of ingestible pill that offers protection for 3 months, but would like to extend the periods between treatments. 

 

They have already made the decision not to treat Bertie with topical treatments as he loves swimming, and they worry about the danger to aquatic life as it washes off. They use Whippa Snappa products everytime they go out for a walk, providing an extra layer of safety.

Veterinary Surgeons

Vets can confidently recommend these products to all clients, ensuring a suitable choice for client preferences and needs as part of a risk-based approach (as recommended by the British Veterinary Association). Vets recommend on average 9-11 months of tick treatment per year (Lavan et al., 2021). 

 

Vets can ensure that the product is effective. Whippa Snappa products harmoniously complement other treatments, whether they are parasiticidal or natural. Our products are reassuring for everyone concerned about both pet welfare and the environment. 

We're a whole different breed.
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Harmless to all

Bee, insect & aquatic life friendly

Not affected by resistance

No skin feel or texture

Odourless

Effective at repelling multiple insect species

No adverse effects reported

Convenient

The latest technology

Pharmaceutical Products
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Your Brand

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Concerns about Pharmaceutical Flea & Tick Treatments

Adverse Effect Concerns

Many pet owners have voiced concerns about parasiticidal treatments, blaming these treatments for adverse effects like seizures and other health issues, although formal scientific evidence supporting such claims remains very limited. In response, a growing number of pet owners are seeking alternatives. Facebook groups discussing the negative effects on their pets of some parasiticides have memberships in excess of 85k people (at the time of writing). 
 

Repelabug Technology is inspired by nature, and is widely considered one of the safest options around.

Environmental Concerns

Some of the chemicals (e.g. fipronil) used routinely for parasite treatment and prevention in pets are banned in agriculture, but used with little regulation or monitoring in the companion animal market. It is known that there is significant risk to aquatic life from traditional parasiticides, with nearly all British rivers testing positive for the presence of these chemicals. A recent study has found high levels of harmful chemicals from bird's nests lined with animal fur in the UK, leading to increased mortality rate of chicks . 
 

The use of topically applied treatments on pets that swim (43.4% of UK dog owners report taking their dogs to swim), or flushing faeces into public sewers, can affect watercourses and aquatic ecosystems. One of the biggest culprits is human handwashing - did you know guidelines say not to touch your pet 24 hours after applying a spot-on treatment? Parasiticides are known to kill insects and other life indiscriminately, not just fleas and ticks. 

Repelabug Technology is eco-friendly and does not pose a risk to aquatic life, nor does it build up in the environment. It does not kill or harm insects. It simply sends a signal to stay away. 

Veterinary Concerns

May veterinary surgeries are reducing their usage of prophylactics, at least as an all-year-round measure (quoted from the British Veterinary Association policy statement). BVA advice to its members (vets) is to take a risk-based approach and to treat pets less frequently if they are low risk of infestation (e.g. indoor animals, not using spot-ons or ingestibles in winter and early spring).  

 

The BVA encourage the prolonging of the interval between applications, and advocate for monitoring fleas and ticks and treat if required. 

Repelabug Technology products are used as part of a risk-based approach. They can extend the period between chemical treatments, or provide more effective repellent action than natural treatments.

Efficacy Concerns

Treating a dog with a parasiticidal product does not guarantee efficacy against fleas. Pharmaceutical treatments do not always offer complete protection, with Fiporonil (used by Frontline) shows particularly poor efficacy in dogs (Cooper et al., 2020). 45% of dogs inspected that were treated with in-date Fipronil still had fleas. 

 

Fluralaner (used by Bravecto) is much more effective as a parasiticide, but this substance has triggered some of the most vehement opposition amongst pet owners who have profound reservations about its safety and advocate ardently against its use.

Repelabug Technology products are used as part of a risk-based approach. They can extend the period between chemical treatments, or provide more effective repellent action than natural treatments.

Ask us Anything!

Got questions? We’ve got answers...

 

 It's so important to be able to access all the information when making decisions for our doggies. 

Anything we've missed, drop us a message!

Is the insect repellent embedded in the fabric?

Yes! The insect repellent is woven into the fibres of the fabric, using our exclusive Repelabug™ Technology. There is no need to reapply, and our products are even machine washable!

What happens if my dog gets wet?

Here's looking at you... labradors! 

 

We know that some dogs can't resist a puddle, or that some days they have to be walked in the rain! If your dog gets wet while wearing Whippa Snappa products, there's no need to worry. They remain effective even when exposed to water. Simply allow the product to air dry naturally, and it will continue to provide protection against fleas and ticks once dry.

 

Our products are machine washable and permanently embedded with insect repellent, so there is no need to reapply. No, jumping in a puddle doesn't count as a wash! We only count it as a wash when detergent is used. 

Is my whole dog protected?

Repelabug™ Technology products provide continuous protection as long as your dog is wearing them. The greater the coverage, the greater the protection. For our bandanas, they will primarily protect the head, neck and chest, where ticks, fleas and other biting insects are most often picked up. Generally, the smaller the dog, the more coverage one item is able to provide.

Is there an odour?

Our products are fragrance-free. They can be successfully worn without bothering sensitive doggy noses. Many customers even use them when their dogs are tracking or mantrailing and they are not distracting. This was super important to us when developing our products. 

Are your products machine washable?

Yes, yes, YES! 

 

As paw-rents ourselves, we know how important it is to be able to wash our dog gear, especially after a muddy walk!  Bandanas can be washed up to 80 times before losing the insect repellent effect, and harnesses up to 30 times. Both harnesses and bandanas can still be worn after the insect repellent effect is gone. 

Are Repelabug™ Technology products DEET-free?

Our products are 100% DEET free. 

How long does the protection last when you take the product off?

The product is treated, not the pet. Therefore, when you take the product off there is no lasting repellent effect. 

Do your products contain harmful chemicals?

No! Repelabug™ Technology incorporates IR3535 into fabrics, which is considered safe by the World Health Organisation, and is one of the safest insect repelling substances on the market. It does not kill or harm insects. It is considered safe for use on children, and is used to prevent contraction of Zika Virus in pregant women in South America.

 

Our insect repellent is a synthesised version of a naturally occurring amino acid. 

Is there a shelf life?

Use the product within 2 years, and store away from UV light sources when not in use.

Which insects do Repelabug™ Technology products repel?

Ticks, fleas, mosquitos, biting flies, sand flies, bees, wasps and lice. It is a broad spectrum repellent that is effective against a large number of insect and arachnid species. 

Where are your products treated?

Our products are treated in our facility in Europe. Repelabug™ Technology is patented and exclusive to us at Whippa Snappa. 

How old does my puppy have to be to wear Repelabug™ Technology products?

We recommend our products for puppies over the age of 10 weeks. Before this, the risk of exposure to fleas and ticks is low.

My dog has sensitive skin, are Repelabug™ Technology suitable?

Our insect repellent is hypoallergenic and unlikely to cause skin sensitivity. IR3535 (the insect repellent we use) scores 0.0/8.0 on the primary irritation index. If any skin irritation occurs, discontinue use and seek veterinary advice.