Effective mosquito repellents reduce the number of bites.
Female mosquitoes need blood meals to develop their eggs. When they bite, they cause itchiness and irritation. Sometimes, they also transmit serious diseases, such as St. Louis encephalitis and West Nile virus. Various repellents can help keep mosquitoes away and reduce the risk of mosquito bites. These repellents have varying levels of efficacy. Does this Spark an idea?
Topical Repellents
The Environmental Protection Agency has registered some active ingredients as insect repellents. This means that the EPA has evaluated these products for efficacy and safety. Generally, products that contain DEET provide longer-lasting protection. Oil of lemon eucalyptus provides as much protection as low concentrations of DEET. A synthetic insect repellent, IR3535, has a structure that is similar to a natural amino acid. It was approved for use by the EPA in 1999 after about 20 years of use in Europe.
Gear Repellent
The EPA approves the use of permethrin as mosquito repellent on outer clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear. It works effectively as an insecticide and as a repellent. Even after repeated laundering, permethrin remains effective for up to two weeks. Permethrin needs reapplication according to the label instructions to keep repelling mosquitoes beyond two weeks. Clothing pre-treated with permethrin remains effective through repeated washings. Permethrin is not suitable for application to the skin or inner clothing.
Area Repellents
Some repellent devices release insecticides, such as pyrethroids, to keep mosquitoes away. These come as lanterns, coils and hand-held devices. Geraniol candles also provide protection from mosquitoes within about 3 feet from the candles. Outdoor mosquito sprayers or foggers kill existing mosquitoes, but don't prevent more mosquitoes from entering the treated area. These insecticides temporarily reduce mosquito populations and are suitable for preparing an area before an outdoor event. Keeping insecticide application to one or two times per season keeps the adverse effects to a minimum.
Other Repellents
Other repellents exist that display little repellent properties. The results of tests with topical mosquito repellent products that contain citronella, geraniol, catnip oil, vanilla, garlic oil and soybean oil vary. Mosquito repellent plants, such as the citrosa plant, generally don't have any effect on the number of mosquito bites nearby. Sonic, electronic and ultrasonic devices claim to emit sounds that mosquitoes fear, for example the flight sound of dragonflies. These devices generally don't work to keep mosquitoes away.
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