What do you use to protect yourself from mosquitoes? (Mosquito Repellent) Let's find out exactly!

In the evening, you can't sit on the porch and have a cup of tea or spend some time in the yard, can you? It doesn't matter what kind of trouble these mosquitoes are, which start buzzing in your ears and start biting and scratching all over your body. This trouble is not limited to just itching. These same mosquitoes also transmit various diseases to more than 700 million people every year. So, let's see how we can save ourselves from these mosquitoes' dinner table.

Why do mosquitoes bother only some people more?

Have you ever felt this way? Do you feel like mosquitoes are biting you more than the people around you? It's not just your feelings.

Everyone's body chemistry is a little different. That's why mosquitoes are more attracted to certain things that come out of our bodies. Think about it, when you exhale, you release carbon dioxide gas. And your skin also releases some of this gas. Mosquitoes can smell this carbon dioxide from a long distance.

Not only that, but your body heat, certain chemicals in your sweat, and the way you move around are all signals that help mosquitoes find you. They follow this scent trail to find you and bite you.

DEET and natural things: what's the best solution?

Simply put, a mosquito repellent works by masking the chemical scents on our bodies that help mosquitoes find us. While there are a variety of mosquito repellents on the market, let's talk about the most effective and research-proven ones.

DEET: Powerful, but really safe?

DEET is the oldest and most effective mosquito repellent on the market. It was introduced to the US military in 1946 and was approved for general use in 1957. Despite the many innovations that have come along since then, few products have been able to match DEET's effectiveness.

In fact, even the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends DEET as one of the two main ingredients to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. The other is Picaridin.

Even the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has re-evaluated DEET and confirmed that it is very safe when used correctly according to label instructions . It is also not classified as a carcinogen.

Here's how to use DEET correctly:

• Do not apply to skin under clothing. Always apply only to exposed skin that is not covered by clothing . Applying it under clothing can cause more absorption into the skin and possibly cause skin allergies .
• Be careful not to get it in your eyes.
• Applying it once a day is usually sufficient.

Can small children use DEET?

This is a question that many parents have. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it is safe to use products containing DEET on babies over 2 months of age . However, the concentration of DEET in the product used should not exceed 30%. No mosquito repellent is recommended for babies under 2 months of age. Do not let young children apply these on their own; apply them yourself to their exposed skin.

Protection from natural ingredients

Some people prefer to use natural products over DEET. There is also talk of Avon's Skin-So-Soft bath oil, which some people use. However, research has shown that its protection is limited to about 10 minutes.

Citronella Candles, Mosquito Traps, and Bug Zappers – Do These Really Work?

Aside from the things we wear, there are also devices we use to repel mosquitoes around us. Let's see how effective they are.

• Citronella candles: These are over 100 years old. However, some research suggests that they are no different than regular candles, as regular candles also emit some heat, moisture, and carbon dioxide.
• Ultrasonic devices: Research has proven that these devices that emit high-frequency sounds and claim to repel mosquitoes do not work at all.
• Mosquito Traps: These devices emit a chemical called `Carbon Dioxide` and `Octenol`, which attracts mosquitoes and traps them inside the trap. Although these can catch a large number of mosquitoes, it is not clear whether they actually reduce the number of mosquitoes biting a person nearby.
• Bug Zappers (blue light repellents): Don't use these at all. While the blue light attracts other insects, mosquitoes don't seem to care. So these kill beneficial, harmless insects that are important to our environment.

Prevention is the best: Let's stop mosquito breeding!

More than covering your body, the best and most reliable way to protect yourself from mosquitoes is to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. This is a responsibility of all of us, especially in our country, where there is a dengue epidemic.

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Some species of mosquitoes lay their eggs directly in the water. Other species lay their eggs on walls, in places like tires, coconut shells, discarded cans, flower pot bases, and tree trunks, just above the water level. Later, when it rains, the water fills up, and the young mosquitoes hatch from these eggs.

Always keep your garden and yard clean. Be careful of any areas where water can accumulate. Also pay attention to gutters and water tank lids.

What to do in an emergency?

If a child accidentally ingests something like mosquito repellent, immediately take him to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) . It is also important to call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for further advice. If a skin rash or other problem occurs, consult your doctor for advice.

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