The Truth About Insect Repellents And Whether They Are Really Effective
Insect repellents are designed to make you unattractive to pests, specifically insects such as flies and mosquitoes. If you select a repellent that does its job properly all you have to do is apply the cream or spray and the insects will not want to land on you. Providing you have covered all exposed skin it is likely that you will avoid being bitten.
Of course, you should note that loose clothing is pretty effective at preventing insects bites. But, tighter clothing can still be bitten through by some insects, such as mosquitoes.
Considering mosquitoes can carry a variety of diseases, it’s a good idea to use the repellent all over before putting your clothes on.
One thing is certain if you have insects in your home you need to contact your local exterminators and get them to take care of the problem for you.
It is worth taking a few minutes to check them out here.
The Secrete To Choosing An Insect repellent
If you need a repellent then the first thing you must look at is the active ingredients. There are several effective chemicals, you should ensure at least one of these is in your insect repellent:
*DEET
DEET is a combination of chemicals that was devised in the 1950s and is still popular together. It has been shown to be effective at keeping away most flying insects.
The higher the concentration of DEET in your product the more effective it will be. Of course, it is a toxic chemical so use it in moderation and think carefully before applying it to children.
*Picaridin
Picaridin is another chemical that was created more recently, in the 1980s. It was specifically designed to be as effective as DEET but offer fewer side effects. It’s considered a safe option and doesn’t cause skin irritation.
*Permethrin
This option has been used in agriculture for many years and has proven to be very effective against a wide variety of insects. You should note that this type of repellent is designed to be used on your clothes not directly on your skin.
It is natural and biodegradable. However, it can cause skin irritation in some people. It won’t harm birds or mammals but it can be dangerous to insects, bees, and even fish.
*Plant-Based
There is an array of plant-based repellents on the market that can offer surprisingly effective protection against insects. These types of repellents use products from plants that the insects would naturally avoid in nature. For example, the oil of lemon eucalyptus is surprisingly effective at keeping insects away. However, it shouldn’t be used on children as safety tests are still ongoing.
Tips When Choosing
Insect repellents work but they do need to be reapplied regularly. That means you need to consider how long the different options will last in conjunction with the job you have in hand. If you need longer protection it is best to go with one of the chemical options. Of course, you can also use permethrin on your clothes at the same time.
