Spokane Valley-based Sterling International Inc. has debuted its latest product, a clip-on mosquito repellent. 

Called the GoClip, the device is designed to fend off insects while attached to a shirt collar, waistband, shorts pocket, hat, or lanyard. 

Stephanie Cates, director of marketing and communications for Sterling, says the new product represents the company’s first expansion into wearable insect repellents. 

“It’s different than most other repellents, which are typically topical sprays or lotions applied directly to the skin,” she says. 

Unlike most insect repellents, which contain diethyltoluamide (DEET), the active ingredients in the GoClip are natural oils that slowly disperse a fragrance into the air that acts as an invisible repellent, shielding the wearer from insect landings.

“The oils are infused in a porous core, housed in a metallic plastic cover that clips to clothing,” she says. “Through research, we discovered the right combination of oils that can be used to confuse insect antenna and discourage them from landing and biting.”

The GoClip’s repellency is designed to last about 48 hours, or six days based on 8 hours use per day. When the device isn’t being worn, a customer can reseal it in a pouch to maintain potency.

Cates says the product was designed with the dual benefit of being effective for insects, but safe around people and pets. 

“Most of our customer base are homeowners, people with families and yards to maintain,” she says. “They want to know that the product is effective, but also that it doesn’t contain harsh chemicals.” 

Cates says the product could be a useful tool in the fight to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses, such as West Nile and Zika virus, as it’s meant to reduce insect landings and bites. 

“The Center for Disease Control says the first line of defense is repellent,” she says.” Of course, nothing is 100 percent foolproof, but GoClip does have the advantage of not needing reapplication. It doesn’t wash or sweat off, and it is long lasting.” 

The idea behind GoClip began with a U.S. Department of Defense grant awarded to Sterling in 2008 for the development of a wearable personal insect repellent device to protect soldiers in the Middle East from mosquitos and sandflies. The project went through several research and testing phases, but it was ultimately shelved for a few years before the company decided to pursue it commercially. 

“We picked it up again after a while and decided to make it available in a consumer format,” says Cates. “It’s been a long road to get us here.”

Sterling International was founded in 1982 by current owner and President Rod Schneidmiller. The company manufactures insect traps and sprays for a range of pests, including beetles, flies, yellow jackets, wasps, and hornets.

Headquartered at 3808 N. Sullivan Road in the Spokane Business & Industrial Park, the company currently has 112 full-time employees, hiring additional workers during peak manufacturing seasons. 

Sterling International sells its products through home and garden retailers, as well as online retailers in the U.S.  Some of its more well-known products are those in its RESCUE! product line, including a yellow jacket cylinder trap, and the WHY spray, for wasp, hornet, and yellow jacket nests.

Cates says GoClip is now available for purchase nationwide, at retailers such as Ace Hardware, True Value, and Do It Best outlets, and through Bi-Mart stores. It also can be found online at Amazon.com. The product’s retail price is $5.

While the company’s main distribution is in the U.S., Cates says it has been growing in the Canadian markets and does some international shipping. 

“We try our best to keep our products affordable, and we’re constantly working on new products, although the development process can take several years,” she says. “We strive to use local materials and provide long-term jobs within the community.”

As a privately owned company, Sterling doesn’t disclose its financial information. 

Cates did say, however, that the company continues to see steady growth and recently expanded its offices. It also added more warehouse space for manufacturing and outbound shipping work.