mosquitoes repellent

From cdc
" Of the active ingredients registered with the EPA, two have demonstrated a higher degree of efficacy in the peer-reviewed, scientific literature.* Products containing these active ingredients typically provide longer-lasting protection than others:
• DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide)
• Picaridin (KBR 3023)

Oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)], a plant based repellent, is also registered with EPA. In two recent scientific publications, when oil of lemon eucalyptus was tested against mosquitoes found in the US it provided protection similar to repellents with low concentrations of DEET.

In addition, certain products which contain permethrin are recommended for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear

Use your common sense. Re-apply repellent if you start to get bitten and follow the label instructions.

As a “rule of thumb”:

* For many hours outside (over 3-4 hours) and/or where biting is very intense—look for a repellent containing more than 20% DEET. Products with more than 50% DEET do not offer additional protection.
* For shorter periods of time, repellents containing less than 20% DEET, the repellent currently available with 7% picaridin or one of the products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus may provide adequate protection. There are other products available, but they may not protect as long as those named here.
* Even if you’re going out for 10 minutes use a repellent —that’s long enough to get bitten!

Hint: Applying permethrin to your clothing ahead of time will give you even greater protection.

* Apply repellents only to exposed skin and/or clothing Do not use repellents under clothing.
* Never use repellents over cuts, wounds or irritated skin, eyes, mouth, or ear. Avoid children's hands
* Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Heavy application and saturation are generally unnecessary for effectiveness.
* After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water or bathe. This is particularly important when repellents are used repeatedly in a day or on consecutive days. Also, wash treated clothing before wearing it again. "


Product test

1. Consumer report by WebMD
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http://www.webmd.com/content/article/63/71953.htm

Of the insect repellents tested, here's how long they fought off mosquitoes:

Product (Mosquito Protection)

-3M Ultrathon (13 hours)

-Off! Deep Woods for Sportsmen (13 hours)

-Muskol Ultra 6 Hours (8 hours)

-BugOut (7 hours)

-Sawyer Controlled Release(6 hours)

-Cutter Unscented (5 hours)

- Off! Skintastic with Sunscreen SPF 30 (4 hours)

- Cutter Skinsations (2 hours)

- Avon Skin So-Soft Bug Guard/ Sunblock (1 hour (contains no DEET))

Insect repellents using plant oils such as citronella, soybean, coconut, and geranium "provided little if any protection," the report states.

2. Also from WebMD http://www.webmd.com/content/article/70/80948.htm
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- FOR CHILDREN the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement saying that DEET is safe for children aged two months and older. Previously, the age limit was set at two years. The academy also raised the maximum DEET concentration in mosquito repellent for kids from 10% to 30%.

- The NEJM study shows that Skin-So-Soft worked as a mosquito repellent for an average of roughly 10 minutes, which hardly matched DEET products, or even soybean oil. In the study, a 2% soybean oil product called Bite Blocker for Kids protected against bites for an average of 94 minutes.

- Citronella candles have been used since 1882 as a means of drawing mosquitoes away from people, but one study shows that they're not much more effective than plain candles, which also give off heat, carbon dioxide, and moisture.

- Mosquito Deleto, made by the Coleman company, and Mosquito Magnet, "They do collect lots and lots of mosquitoes," Anderson says. But it's not yet known whether they really reduce the number of bites for people nearby.

- As for the traditional electric bug zappers and ultrasonic mosquito repellent devices, don't use them.


Natural Repellent

1. From Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D chemistry.about.com/cs/howthingswork/a/aa050503a.htm
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Mosquito Attractants

# Dark Clothing

# Carbon Dioxide

You give off more carbon dioxide when you are hot or have been exercising. A burning candle or other fire is another source of carbon dioxide.

# Lactic Acid

You release more lactic acid when you have been exercising or after eating certain foods (e.g., salty foods, high-potassium foods).

# Floral or Fruity Fragrances

# Skin Temperature

The exact temperature depends on the type of mosquito. Many mosquitoes are attracted to the slightly cooler temperatures of the extremities.

# Moisture

Natural Repellents


These natural products will effectively repel mosquitoes, but they require more frequent reapplication (at least every 2 hours) and higher concentrations than DEET.
* Citronella Oil
* Castor Oil
* Rosemary Oil
* Lemongrass Oil
* Cedar Oil
* Peppermint Oil
* Clove Oil
* Geranium Oil
* Possibly Oils from Verbena, Pennyroyal, Lavender, Pine, Cajeput, Cinnamon, Basil, Thyme, Allspice, Soybean, and Garlic

Another plant-derived substance, pyrethrum, is an insecticide. Pyrethrum comes from the flowers of the daisy Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium.

2. by the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board
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www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mmosquitorepel.html

- catsnip (nepetalactone)

3. By Dr Weil
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http://www.prevention.com/article/0,5778,s1-1-52-160-5350-1,00.html

- BiteBlocker
- Catnip oil

Do It Yourself

(Thai) Lemon grass: apply to the skin for protection of couple of hours.


Web sites

1. NoTox, Inc.
http://www.insectrepel.com/whatiscatnip.html