🦟 Mosquito research and Best solutions 🦟🤩
Are mosquitoes driving you crazy? Cringe when you think about planning something outside this time of year? MOSQUITOES can be a nightmare for many of us!
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Never fear, I’ve got you covered with the most “up-to-date” mosquito research and solutions. It’s a topic that everyone seems to be talking about this time of year, and for good reason.
Mosquito-born illnesses are on the rise everywhere. For example, they are 234% higher than they were by this time last year in Latin America; and Puerto Rico declared a public health emergency after more than 400 people were hospitalized!
Today, I’ll give you a quick rundown on the dangers of mosquito-born illnesses, the best and worst repellents, as well as when and when NOT to use them 😎
Before, we jump into how to avoid dreaded mosquito bites, I’m hoping you enjoyed last week’s newsletter on “Sunscreens and Peptides”. If you missed it, you can use this link, Here.
I suggest that you read today’s blog for protecting your family’s health. Even if you never go out at dawn or dusk, never seem to get bitten, there’s something here for everyone! You may also learn something new about why it may sometimes be recommended to use DEET products, and when it’s not advisable 🤩
Ready? Let’s get buzzin!
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Why it matters what’s in your Bug Spray
Bug repellents are pesticides and are made of both active and inert ingredients. It’s common for products to list only active ingredients on labels. The rest are listed simply as “inert ingredients,” which are ingredients that are not considered active repelling chemicals, but are used as solvents, preservatives, fragrances, or for other purposes. Bug repellents are often formulated with synergistic chemicals that are designed to make the repellent work more effectively.
One example of an active ingredient in bug repellent is DEET. Although DEET is one of the most effective repellents, it is a documented neurotoxin and has other adverse effects on humans and aquatic life – not to mention, the inert ingredients in bug repellents can also be hazardous.
The lowdown on DEET
DEET (chemical name, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is the active ingredient in many repellent products. It is widely used to repel biting pests such as mosquitoes and ticks. Every year, an estimated one-third of the U.S. population use DEET to protect them from mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus, the Zika virus or malaria and tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Exposure of humans to DEET has been associated with a variety of health effects including neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, dermal, and ocular. It should be noted, however, that considering the many millions of applications of DEET per year in the United States, there have been limited reports of serious health effects following DEET applications.
Products containing DEET currently are available to the public in a variety of liquids, lotions, sprays, and impregnated materials (e.g., towelettes, roll on). Formulations registered for direct application to human skin contain from 5 to 99% DEET.
DEET is designed for direct application to people’s skin to repel insects. Rather than killing them, DEET works by making it hard for biting bugs to smell us.
Is it OK to use 100% DEET?
When it comes to a strong chemical such as DEET, it's best to avoid overexposure. If you want to use DEET, skip the high concentrations. Opt for 7-to-10 percent if you only need a few hours of protection. If you need all-day protection, look for 20-30 percent DEET, ideally in a time-release formulation.
What does Health.ny.gov say about DEET?
By using products with lower concentrations of DEET and by applying as little of the product as needed for your outdoor activities, you can reduce your exposure to DEET. Products containing DEET have been occasionally associated with some health problems (skin reactions, including rash, swelling and itching; eye irritation; and, less frequently, slurred speech, confusion and seizures). Frequent reuse or saturation is unnecessary for effectiveness. Use only what and how much you need for your situation.
Does DEET react with sunscreen?
Toxicology studies have found that sunscreen can increase the absorption of DEET and reduce the effectiveness of sunscreen; this is important to remember, particularly if applying to your children's skin.
Why is DEET free better?
DEET free bug spray protects your family from insects without the risks associated with DEET. In addition, these products can nourish and soothe skin without the irritation and harshness of DEET sprays.
DEET - free options that really DO work
Icaridin (a.k.a Picaridin or Bayrepel) is very similar to DEET in its mode and duration of action. In some tests it performed slightly worse than DEET. It is absorbed by the skin only in small amounts, it cannot attack plastics and is therefore less aggressive than DEET. It's a plant-based compound you'll find in products like Cutter Advanced and Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus. Icaridin can however still cause irritation on contact with the eyes and mucous membranes and is still not the ideal substance to apply on infants and young children. For pregnant women, Icaridin is the substance of choice, especially in the tropics.
IR3535 (a.k.a EBAAP) is almost odorless, rapidly biodegradable and is particularly suitable for pregnant women, infants and nursing mothers. However, as it has the shortest protection time of only 1 - 2 hours at high temperatures and high humidity, it is not recommended for use in the tropics. IR3535 is suitable for children at a concentration of 10%. You can get this man-made mosquito-blocking compound in Avon's Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus IR3535 Expedition.
PMD (a.k.a Citriodiol) was originally discovered in the oil of lemon eucalyptus. It is the only known "natural" active ingredient that can achieve the protection times of the previously mentioned synthetic substances. PMD is usually produced from the chemical conversion of certain essential oils. Products with PMD often have a citrus-like scent.You can get it (or its synthetic version, PMD) in products like Repel and Off! Botanicals. Steer clear of "pure" OLE (the oil alone, not in a repellent) -- it hasn't been tested for safety and isn't recommended by the EPA.
2-Undecanone. (also called BioUD) comes from tomatoes. It's available in BiteBlocker, and some studies say it works as well as products with 30% DEET.
Covering Up:
If mosquitoes can't get to skin, they can't bite it. When possible, wear long sleeves, pants, and a hat when you know you'll be in a mosquito-infested area. Tuck your shirttail into your pants and your pant legs into your socks for maximum bite blockage.
Being Water-Wise
Stop mosquitoes before they hatch by ridding your yard of standing water, their favorite breeding ground. It doesn't take much moisture for them to set up shop -- even an overturned Frisbee filled with rainwater is enough. Drain pooled water where you can, and clear out anything that might collect it, like tires or pots.
DEET - free options that do NOT work
Wristbands:
Even when they're soaked in repellent, wristbands don't do much to keep mosquito bites at bay. They only block bites for the skinny strip of wrist they cover, leaving the rest of your body a bug buffet.
Citronella:
Citronella is a common ingredient in products made to repel mosquitoes. Though it may work as a brief buffer to bites, it's not a serious solution. Likewise, candles with citronella won't really help.
Essential Oils:
Plant-based oils like lemongrass, cedar, eucalyptus, peppermint, soybean, lavender, and geranium may be popular, but studies haven't shown any evidence that they ward off mosquitoes from snacking on you. Some might irritate your skin.
Garlic and Vitamin B:
It would be great if swallowing a simple pill or clove worked as a cure-all for mosquito magnetism. Sadly, scientists say proof is lacking to declare those methods a solution.
Bug Zappers:
Lay off the lights that are intended to lure bugs in. They don't make much of a difference. And you may actually be inviting more mosquitoes to your yard.
Ultrasonic Devices:
These gadgets send out high-frequency sound that's meant to drive away pests. There's a chance they might work on crickets, but studies say mosquitoes are unbothered by the noise.
How about….
Dragonflies?
Dragonflies love to eat mosquitoes and gnats and can help cut down on them!
Their appearance can be a little disconcerting at first, given that they can grow to have a wingspan of up to seven inches. But take a closer look at a dragonfly, and you might notice iridescent hues throughout its body and delicate patterns in its wings—they’re actually rather beautiful. Dragonfly watching has become a growing hobby in recent years 🤩
Bats?
It's true, bats like to snack on mosquitoes. But they prefer other, bigger insects like moths. If mosquitoes were their only food option, you might see your mosquito numbers go down, but it's doubtful bats will make a dent in the average back yard.
Yard Treatment?
Foggers and sprays can temporarily banish mosquitoes from outdoor areas -- foggers can last for hours, sprays for days. But the chemicals can be harmful if you, or your pets, come into contact with them while they're still wet or in the air. Keep windows closed during treatment, and stay out of your yard until everything is dry. Bees and butterflies can also be wiped out, so it's best to avoid treating the places they hang out.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito. - Dalai Lama
Mosquito repelling substances can vary greatly from person to person. The main difference in the attractiveness of people to mosquitoes is the composition and amount of certain fatty acids on the skin. and on the physical properties of a person’s skin. When a product is quickly evaporated or strongly absorbed by the skin, the duration of action is shorter.
Follow these rules when applying mosquito spray:
Always apply mosquito repellent without gaps. Untreated areas will be found and exploited by mosquitoes.
Can I use mosquito repellent and sunscreen at the same time? If possible, you should avoid it. But if you must, apply sunscreen first and the mosquito repellent after about 20 min.
Consider the protection time: Products on the market often contain the same active ingredient, but in different concentrations. So, products with a lower concentration have a shorter protection time. However, the principle that "a lot helps a lot" is also not helpful, since there is an upper limit to effectiveness. If a product protects for five hours when applied once, multiple applications in close succession will still not increase the protection time. You should simply repeat the application after a maximum of five hours.
Keep in mind that the manufacturer's specifications often represent the maximum protection time of a product. For a repellent with a maximum protection time of 5 hours, you might consider re-applying after four hours.
Choose the right active ingredient for your situation. For example, use DEET or Icaridin when you will be out for a long time in a hot and humid environment. If you want to spend a couple of peaceful hours in your garden, a product with PMD or IR3535 is often perfectly sufficient.
I hope this has helped clear up some of the mis-information out there on mosquito repellents. Keep this blog close when at the store, deciding which repellent to buy!
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