What is Aerogard?
Aerogard is a long-established Australian brand of personal insect repellent, used to keep mosquitoes and flies away. It has been a familiar part of Australian summers, barbecues, camping trips and fishing outings for decades.
The brand was developed in Australia and is now owned by the global consumer goods company Reckitt, which also owns the Mortein insecticide brand. Aerogard is sold as sprays, roll-ons, lotions and wipes.
Insect repellents work by making it harder for mosquitoes and flies to detect people. Common active ingredients in modern repellents include DEET and picaridin, and some products include sunscreen-friendly or tropical-strength formulas.
Why repellent matters in Australia
Mosquitoes in Australia can spread diseases such as Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, Murray Valley encephalitis and, in parts of far north Queensland, dengue fever. Health authorities advise using repellent, especially at dawn and dusk.
Australia's bushflies are another reason repellents are popular. These small flies are attracted to moisture around people's eyes and mouths, especially in the outback, leading to the famous Aussie salute, the habit of waving them away.
Aerogard's advertising has played on classic Australian summer scenes, such as backyard barbecues and beach holidays, making it one of the country's best-known household brands. Health experts recommend reapplying repellent regularly and following label directions.
Did You Know?
Waving flies away from your face is jokingly called the Aussie salute.