repellents
Substances that discourage
Repellents are substances that drive away unwanted things—insects, animals, water.
Insect repellent keeps mosquitoes from biting; water repellent keeps fabric from absorbing moisture.
The word can also describe qualities that repel: His arrogance had repellent effects on potential allies.
The spelling repellants is less common but acceptable.
Insect-repelling chemical compound
- mosquito sprayInsect-repelling aerosol product
- citronellaAromatic insect-deterring oil
- bug spraySubstance deterring biting insects
- picaridinInsect repellent compound
permethrin · coils · lemon eucalyptus · netting · wristbands · zappers · lotions · patches
Pest-deterrent storage pellets
- ultrasonicAbove audible frequency range
- scarecrowDecoy to frighten birds
- bird spikesAnti-perching ledge installation
- rabbit fenceEnclosure excluding burrowing pests
rodent · snake · garden · pest control · granules · wildlife · critters · ammonia
Causing mild aversion
- deterrentThing that discourages action
- unappealingNot pleasing or desirable
- disgustingProvoking strong revulsion
- revoltingCausing strong disgust
distasteful · aversive · repugnant · unpleasant · alienating · forbidding · uninviting · disagreeable
Repels aqueous substances
- waterproofingMaking impervious to moisture
- ScotchgardStain-repellent spray treatment
- silicone sprayAerosol releasing slippery compound
- Gore-TexWaterproof breathable fabric membrane
DWR · nanocoating · fabric treatment · rain · stain guard · impregnation · beading · moisture barrier
Repelled by magnetic fields
- magnetic levitationSuspension through electromagnetic force
- superconductorMaterial with zero electrical resistance
- eddy currentsInduced loops in conductors
- electromagneticInvolving electric and magnetic fields
DEET
Insect-repelling chemical compound
- mosquito sprayInsect-repelling aerosol product
- citronellaAromatic insect-deterring oil
- bug spraySubstance deterring biting insects
picaridin · permethrin · coils · lemon eucalyptus · netting · wristbands · zappers · lotions · patches · candles
mothballs
Pest-deterrent storage pellets
- ultrasonicAbove audible frequency range
- scarecrowDecoy to frighten birds
- bird spikesAnti-perching ledge installation
rabbit fence · rodent · snake · garden · pest control · granules · wildlife · critters · ammonia · castor oil
off-putting
Causing mild aversion
- deterrentThing that discourages action
- unappealingNot pleasing or desirable
- disgustingProvoking strong revulsion
revolting · distasteful · aversive · repugnant · unpleasant · alienating · forbidding · uninviting · disagreeable · objectionable
hydrophobic
Repels aqueous substances
- waterproofingMaking impervious to moisture
- ScotchgardStain-repellent spray treatment
- silicone sprayAerosol releasing slippery compound
Gore-Tex · DWR · nanocoating · fabric treatment · rain · stain guard · impregnation · beading · moisture barrier · sealant
diamagnetic
Repelled by magnetic fields
- magnetic levitationSuspension through electromagnetic force
- superconductorMaterial with zero electrical resistance
- eddy currentsInduced loops in conductors
- pest controlinsecticide, rat trap, pesticide, mousetrap, exterminator
- defensive chemicalsvenom, toxin, toxins, poison, deterrents
- chemical signalspheromone, pheromones, chemical signals, chemical messengers, sex pheromones
- Pesticidespesticides, DDT, permethrin, pyrethrin, organophosphate
- tropical medicineantimalarials, antiparasitics, chloroquine, quinine, ivermectin
- protective gearhelmet, helmets, hard hat, hard hats, gloves
repellentsattractants
Substances that draw others
lures · baits · attractions · magnets · pheromones
repellentswelcomers
Those who receive arrivals
inviters · adhesives · attractors · hospitality · embrace
- insect repellentSubstance deterring biting pests
- mosquito repellentSubstance deterring biting insects
- water repellentResists liquid penetration
- moth repellentSubstance deterring fabric pests
- tick repellentSubstance deterring parasitic arachnids
- pest repellentSubstance deterring unwanted creatures