Mosquito repellents - how to choose reliable and safe products

Repellents include compounds of natural and synthetic origin. They are used to protect people and animals from insects and ticks. This is the easiest and most affordable way to protect yourself and children from mosquito bites and other blood-sucking arthropods. When using funds, take into account the concentration of the active substance. The percentage of active ingredient should not exceed a safe rate. Safe and effective mosquito repellents do not have to be bought at the store; you can make them yourself.

The composition and types of chemical repellents

The name of the compounds used to protect against insects comes from the Latin word repellens - repelling, repelling. These substances are available in various forms:

• Aerosols and sprays are the most common and popular remedies. Easy to apply on skin and clothing. Not recommended for children.
• Creams and lotions are liquid substances applied to the skin. A small amount of the active substance does not harm health. The protective period is limited to 1-1.5 hours.
• Pencils are effective and hypoallergenic products applied to exposed skin. They are easy to use and affordable. Their disadvantage is an unpleasant odor.
• Bracelets - Safe protection for children and adults. The product is saturated with natural oils that repel insects.
• Scented candles - paraffin base or wax diluted with essential oil. When burning, the aroma of chasing bloodsuckers spreads.

According to the mechanism of exposure, drugs are divided into two types:

1. Volatile substances acting at a distance. They have the smell of a male mosquito, which is unpleasant for fertilized females.
2. Compositions acting upon contact of an insect with a treated surface.

By origin, the protective equipment is divided into synthetic and natural. Chemical compounds are more effective, but exhibit moderate toxicity to humans. Natural products are made on the basis of essential oils. Their aroma is extremely unpleasant for mosquitoes. Candles, spiral bracelets are made from natural components. Commonly used oils are citronella, cloves, eucalyptus, anise, geranium, tea tree.

The active ingredient in most chemical repellents is diethyltoluamide (DETA). A chemical compound that repels blood-sucking insects was developed about 80 years ago. Unlike insecticides, it does not destroy mosquitoes, but only makes people stay away from people. The substance belongs to hazard class II.

Attention. DETA-based products account for 60% of products that protect against blood-sucking insects. Various manufacturers only change the composition of additional components - fragrances, stabilizers, etc.

Diethyltoluamide is a toxic substance, its concentration is strictly limited:

• 40-50% - the composition is intended for application to clothing, shoes, nets;
• 25-30% - the product can be used by adults for application to the skin and hair, the period of action is up to three hours;
• 10-15% - drugs are suitable for adolescents and people with poor health;
• 5-7% - concentration allowed for children.

DETA is not the only chemical composition for repellents. They are made on the basis of carboxite, oxamate, isopranol.

Overview of Popular Protective Products

"DETA-prof"

A professional product designed to protect people who are in the forest or near water for a long time. A high concentration of the active substance (30%) for a long time discourages midges, mosquitoes, horseflies and ticks. When processing clothing, the protective effect lasts for 30 days. Aerosol "DETA-prof" is recommended for fishermen, hunters, law enforcement officers.

"Gardex"

Gardeks company offers a wide range of protective equipment. Aerosol "Gardex" (10%) will create an invisible barrier to mosquitoes for 3 hours. The Gardex extreme series are mosquito and tick repellents that last up to 8 hours. After aerosol treatment, protection on clothing is retained for a month (in the absence of washing). To ensure long-term effect, the concentration of the active substance is increased to 31%.

In the Gardex series children use propylene glycol. The tool in the form of a spray is recommended from 1 year. For kids, colorful stickers on clothes soaked in natural lemongrass extract are offered. One of the options for preventing bites is a children's plastic bracelet with interchangeable cartridges.

"Mosquitall"

The company's products have a deterrent effect for a long period. After Mosquitall aerosol treatment of exposed skin, blood-sucking insects do not come within 4 hours. The concentration of DETA is 18%, in products intended for children, it is reduced to 7.5%. In people with sensitive skin, many chemicals cause allergies. For them, Moskitoll offers an aerosol with a non-toxic repellent IR3535. Aerosol Professional Protection contains a large amount of active substance and repels insects for up to 8 hours.

Mosquito repellent children's series are available in the form of milk and cream. They use a bio-repellent IR3535. For children from two years old, you can choose a bracelet with a mixture of natural oils (citronella, lavender, geranium).

Attention. With an increase in the concentration of DETA, not only the repellent effectiveness increases, but also the health risk.

"OFF"

OFF preparations are available in any form. Extreme Extreme is applied to clothing, leather, curtains, tents, mosquito nets, and furniture. They create an invisible barrier for 8 hours. On clothes, the composition repels ticks for 5 days. Repellents against mosquitoes and ticks in the form of an aerosol have several advantages:

• ease of use;
• nice smell;
• Do not stain clothing.

Spray aerosol on things until slightly moistened, use after drying. Apply a thin layer on the skin, avoid contact with water.

In protective creams for adults and children, the amount of active ingredient does not exceed 7.5%. Aloe vera extract, which moisturizes the skin, is added to cosmetics. It is convenient to take a tube with you for repeated application after 2 hours.

"Taiga"

The Russian company Taiga produces effective and affordable means against bloodsucking insects. The active substance is diethyltoluamide. Repellents are available in the form of a spray, cream for applying to open areas. The emulsion "Taiga-ultra" is applied to the body and is valid for 1 hour. Creams and lotions include clove oil - a natural insect repellent.

DIY repellents

Effective mosquito repellents that do not harm your health can be done on your own. They are made in the form of a spray, scented candle or cream. As an individual protection use an oil mixture or aromatic spray.

To make the oil mixture you will need:

• base - olive or massage oil (50-100 ml);
• essential oils - cloves, eucalyptus, rosemary, geranium and others (10 drops).

Aromatic oil is added to the base, then the mixture is applied to the skin.The composition is used carefully, it leaves stains on clothes.

Attention. To avoid an allergic reaction, it is necessary to check the tolerance of the used essential oil. To do this, a drop of the agent is applied to the elbow. If there is no reaction, it can be used as a repellent.

For children, you can mix a protective product based on a baby cream on your own. Lavender oil is added to the cosmetic product at the rate of:

• children under two years of age - 2 drops per 30 ml;
• older than two years - 3 drops per 30 ml.

Before use, you should consult a pediatrician and make sure that the baby is not allergic to the formulations used.

One way to scare away mosquitoes is a fragrant spray. It includes:

• 100 ml of water;
• 10 ml of alcohol;
• 5 ml of essential oil (citronella, rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus).

After mixing all the ingredients, you get a spray that can process clothes and skin. A repellent that scares away blood-sucking insects in an apartment or in the country will be an aromatic candle. To make it, you will need wax or paraffin. Add 10-15 drops of essential oil to the melted base. When a candle is lit, an odor unpleasant for mosquitoes will spread in the room.

A huge range of repellents allows you to choose a reliable and convenient tool for children and adults. Frightening compounds will make outdoor recreation enjoyable and safe.