[Edaily Reporter Han Jeon-jin ] Summer insect repellent products have emerged as the new cash cow for retailers. This is because consumers, who experienced a massive outbreak of love bugs (red-winged velvet flies) last year, have been taking precautions against pests since the beginning of summer this year. Although the love bug outbreak has subsided somewhat, demand for these products shows no signs of cooling off as summer pests such as mosquitoes and fruit flies continue to run rampant. Consumer trends are also shifting from catching insects to preventing them.

According to industry sources on the 2nd, sales of insect repellent products are on the rise at major retail channels such as large supermarkets and convenience stores. Last month, sales of insect repellent products at E-MART Co., Ltd.(139480)surged significantly compared to the previous month as the summer peak season began. While sales of fly and mosquito repellents increased by 95.9%, sales of seasonal maintenance items such as window screens skyrocketed by 1,336%. Sales of insect repellent products at convenience stores GS25 and CU also recorded growth, rising 11% and 10.4%, respectively, year-over-year for May and June. Daiso also saw sales of insect repellent products increase by about 10% during the same period.

Changes in consumer patterns are also evident. Products that prevent insects from entering the home or provide long-term protection are gaining more attention than insecticides designed simply to kill pests. In fact, at Lotte Mart, the “3M Insect-Proof Screen Tape,” which seals gaps around doorways, has ranked among the top-selling pest control products, and sheets designed to block water gaps under sinks are also seeing high demand. This reflects a clear shift toward preventive consumption—focusing on blocking entry points at the source rather than simply killing insects.

The same trend is evident at convenience stores. At GS25, while sales of one-time-use spray insecticides rose by 7.9%, sales of plug-in insecticides—which are plugged into outlets and operate continuously—soared by 26.6%. Sales of HomeMat liquid vaporizers jumped 147.5%, and mosquito coils rose 69.9%. Convenience store officials explain that more consumers are opting for long-term, hands-free protection rather than reacting to temporary pest outbreaks on a case-by-case basis.

There is also a clear trend toward seeking relatively “milder pest control” methods. At CU, sales of “F-Killa Mosquito Repellent for Kids”—a product applied to the skin rather than sprayed—jumped 83.8% year-over-year, moving the item up in the product rankings from 7th place last year to 4th this year. As demand grows for products with mild ingredients that are safe for children, consumer trends are shifting toward repellents applied in advance of outdoor activities, rather than products designed to kill insects.

This surge in insect repellent sales is heavily influenced by the lessons learned from last year’s love bug infestation. The number of love bug-related complaints filed with the Seoul Metropolitan Government rose from 4,448 in 2022 to 11,429 last year—an increase of more than 2.6 times in just three years. Analysts suggest that the severe inconvenience experienced last year heightened consumers’ vigilance, leading to a mindset this year of proactively preparing before pests like love bugs swarm—a mindset that has driven purchases of insect repellent products.

The industry is taking note of the trend toward an increasingly longer peak season for insect repellent products. It is based on this assessment that GS25 is considering significantly extending its peak season for insect repellent products—pushing it back from the usual timing to run through October. Promotional competition is also heating up. E-MART Co., Ltd. is running a “Gorae-it Festa” event from the 2nd to the 5th, offering a 50% discount on any two or more mosquito repellent items. Lotte Mart is also joining the competition to capture demand during the extended peak season by launching a discount event for insecticide brands starting on the same day.

A retail industry official stated, “Due to abnormal weather patterns, the timing and types of pest outbreaks are becoming more diverse, making summer pests—including not only love bugs but also mosquitoes, ticks, and fruit flies—a part of everyday life.” The official added, “As demand for pest control products, which used to be a short-lived summer trend, is shifting toward longer-term, year-round consumption, we plan to expand our product lines and promotions accordingly.”