INSECT REPELLENT

An 'insect repellent' is a substance applied to skin, clothing, or other surfaces which discourages insects (and arthropods in general) from landing or climbing on that surface. There are also insect repellent products available based on sound production, particularly ultrasound (inaudibly high frequency sounds). These electronic devices have been shown to have no effect as a pest repellent by studies done by the EPA and many universities.^[1]
Insect repellents help prevent and control the outbreak of insect-borne diseases such as malaria, Lyme disease, Dengue fever, bubonic plague, and West Nile fever. Pest animals commonly serving as vectors for disease include the insects flea, fly, and mosquito; and the arachnid tick.
Common insect repellents include:

★ DEET (''N'',''N''-diethyl-''m''-toluamide)

★ Essential oil of the lemon eucalyptus and its active ingredient p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD)

★ Icaridin, also known as picaridin, Bayrepel, and KBR 3023

★ Citronella oil

★ Permethrin

★ Soybean oil Safety Tips on Using Personal Insect Repellents
Usually insect repellents work instead by masking human scent, or by using a scent which insects naturally avoid. Permethrin is different in that it is actually a contact insecticides.
For protection against mosquitos, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommend DEET, icaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus for skin, and permethrin for clothing, gear, or bed nets.^[2] Oil of lemon eucalyptus was found to be more effective than other plant-based treatments, and had similar effectiveness to low concentrations of DEET.
^[3] Some of these repellents are not recommended for use on younger children.³
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency states that studies show that citronella oil shows little or no toxicity when used as a topical insect repellent. They claim that the main hazard of citronella oil is that it is an irritant.^[4] Safety and effectiveness concerns have been raised regarding the use of citronella.^[5]

Contents

See also

References

External links

See also

★ Mosquito control

★ Mosquito net

References

★ Iowa State University Study: Nepetalactone 10 times more effective than DEET
1.
2. Comparative Efficacy of Insect Repellents against Mosquito Bites, M. S. Fradin and J. F. Day, , , N Engl J Med, 2002
3. Insect Repellent Use and Safety
4. U.S. EPA Citronella Factsheet
5. Re-evaluation of Citronella Oil and Related Active Compounds for Use as Personal Insect Repellents, , , , Pest Management Regulatory Agency (Canada), ,

External links

★ Insect Repellents Alan Wood

★ Best Insect Repellent for Mosquitoes: Bug Experts Rate Products to Keep West Nile Virus at Bay

★ Insect Repellent Reviews of various insect repellent products by Repellent Review

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