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Where can I purchase STEM?
Glad you asked! Check out our product pages and click the "Where to Buy" button for online and local options to purchase STEM.
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What is the difference between a repellent and a bug killer?
Repellents repel! They’re applied directly to the skin and are designed to keep mosquitoes away. And our brilliant scientists have concluded that something can’t bite you if it isn’t near you. We did this by using ingredients that affect an insect’s senses (mostly taste and smell) in order to prevent them from finding a human or animal host.
And bug killers do exactly what you’d think. They effectively kill targeted bugs by direct contact, and can be sprayed right onto insects both indoors and outside.
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What bugs do your products work on?
Broadly speaking, our bug killers work on ants, roaches, spiders, flies, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, gnats, and fruit flies. However! Each bug spray is designed to work on specific bug types, so check the page for each product to see which specific insect(s) it kills. Our repellents are a bit more straightforward – some work on mosquitoes, and others work on mosquitoes AND ticks!
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Why are there different bug killer products for different types of bugs?
Each product has to balance ingredients in perfectly tailored formulas for each insect. Plus each bottle has a specific spray pattern shape that was selected to target specific bug types.
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How often should I reapply the repellent?
If you are using our botanically-inspired spritz or wipes, reapplying after 90 minutes is a safe bet. But if you’re out getting sweaty, probably a bit sooner. On the other hand, if you are using our mosquito + tick repellent, you can reapply every 8 hours.
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Are your repellents safe to use on kids?
For kids ages 6 months and up, STEM is kid friendly, when used as directed. However, there are a few additional things to keep in mind when using STEM on children. Apply to your own hands then apply to the child’s skin, avoiding their eyes, mouth, armpits, and hands. Don’t apply under clothing or diapers or on any skin that appears irritated. After use, wash the product off. If your kids are plants, don’t spray them at all, as it may damage the leaves.
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Are your insecticides safe to use in the house and around pets?
Yes, when used as directed! They’ve been thoroughly tested indoors. And your pets will thank you for it!
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Are your products organic and chemical-free?
Our products are not certified organic. Chemical insecticide free can be used to describe our light trap, but some of our bug killer sprays and repellent formulas have botanical extracts like lemongrass and rosemary oil, and those are technically considered chemicals! We do also have non-plant-based ingredients in our formulas. Our mosquito and tick repellent has Picaridin, and our Liquid Ant Bait has Spinosad. You can read the full list of ingredients for each formula on each product’s page. EPA registered products will only list the primary active ingredients, and devices will not have a formula disclosed (because they are electrical devices).
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How do you test your products?
We test A LOT. And by "we," we mean a team of entomologists at our entomology research center.
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Hang on what’s an entomologist?
Sorry backing up. An entomologist is just a scientist who specializes in the study of bugs.
