During the malaria outbreak in the temperate zone, organophosphate and DDT insecticides were first used to eliminate the epidemic. Scientists have evolved their procedures to make more effective insect confronters.
For outdoor purposes, repellents are heavily depended on to keep insects off. The beauty of the product is that it’s capable of deterring multiple flies species from the skin. Although, there are some pros and cons to its usage.
While most people mistake repellents for pesticides, they are not. They rather fight off insects that bite and cause serious health issues than kill them. Going on in the article, you’ll learn some fascinating facts about this pest control alternative.
How Insect Repellents Work
Insects are often attracted to smells. In this case, that of the human skin. Applying repellents onto the skin surface makes it displeasing for them to perch on.
Moreover, they’re drawn to the exhaled gas, carbon dioxide. The chemical mixture protects your skin from them by affecting their senses of smell and taste.
Chemical Mixtures In Insect Repellents
The various active chemicals do the magic in the product. Some of these include.
- N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET)
- BioUD
- Picaridin
- 2-undecanone
- Lemon Eucalyptus extract (OLE)
- IR3535
The Environmental Protection Agency recognizes these chemicals for use. They come in different forms of lotions, spray-on, and wipes.
Are Insect Repellents Effective?
With a ton of products in the market, efficiency varies. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, users are advised to patronize manufacturers registered under the EPA.
One way to measure the length of protection is concentration. Depending on that, the effect of your repellant can be lasting or not. This is because environmental events wear it away from the skin with time. Examples are sweat, air, and water. However, some are made to resist these situations.
Products with a minimum of 20% DEET concentration have been proven to offer incredible protection. To enhance efficacy further, you should use other measures to protect yourself from insect bites.
For children, the recommended percentage of DEET is 30%. It would be best if you didn’t use excessively or consume to prevent adverse health conditions. Examples are seizures, vomiting, skin irritation, etc.
How Safe Are Repellents?
First of all, safety is mostly hinged on the chemical ingredients. And the truth is, with repellents, there is always some extent of toxicity.
Some people are known to react to them from bad exposure. Inhalation, touching, or eating are very dangerous. Hence, it’s crucial to follow the instructions on the label for use. Immediately after use, ensure you wash your hands thoroughly.
In addition, avoid eye and mouth contact with the chemical during application. You can do that by shutting your eyes and mouth when rubbing on the face.
The Bottom Line
It’s without a doubt that insect repellents are very effective. However, there are numerous ways you can eliminate these pests from your space completely. To ensure double protection, repellents and pest proofing are good countermeasures. To know more, click here.
