Wearable insect repellent bands make up The Bug Watch range. The watch-style band is stocked in black, blue, pink and white, with separate refills available so the band itself can be kept and the insert replaced.

A band works differently from a spray or lotion. Rather than being applied to the skin, the repellent sits in a replaceable insert held in the strap, releasing gradually around the wearer. That makes it a practical option for children, for anyone who dislikes the feel of a spray on the skin, and for situations where repeated reapplication would be awkward. The trade-off is coverage: a band protects the area around it rather than the whole body, so for heavy exposure a topical repellent is still the more thorough choice. Refills are the part that runs out, not the band, so buying a pack of refills alongside the watch keeps it in use for longer. Check the stated duration on the packaging, since this varies by product and by conditions.

The Bug Watch is stocked at Ronaghan's Pharmacy, a family-run Irish pharmacy, alongside sprays and bite relief products. If you are travelling somewhere with a known mosquito-borne illness risk, speak with your doctor or our pharmacist about the right level of protection. Browse the range below.