Repellents - which mosquito and tick repellents to choose?
Mosquitoes and ticks are insects whose bites cause, among other things, swelling, itching and pain. Unfortunately, they can also lead to many serious diseases. Ticks carry pathogens that cause, among other things, Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. When travelling abroad, it is also worth bearing in mind the risk of being infected by tropical mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, Zika or yellow fever, which is why it is so important to protect yourself effectively against these insects. Choosing the right repellents can significantly reduce the risk of bites and associated diseases.
In this article you will find information on the tick and mosquito repellents available on the market and tips on choosing the right repellent.
Repellent - what is it?
Repellent is the name used for any type of chemical or natural product that exhibits repellent properties against insects or other living organisms. Sometimes the term is also used to refer to devices that generate sound and light. How do repellents work?
The function of repellents is to actively influence the senses of insects, such as sight, hearing, taste, smell or touch, which consequently forces them to avoid those areas where repellents have been applied.
For example, DEET interferes with the insects' ability to sense, for example, lactic acid (a component of sweat) and thus prevents them from locating a potential host. Icaridin, on the other hand, blocks insect receptors that are responsible for detecting, among other things, carbon dioxide exhaled by humans, which also makes it difficult for insects to locate humans.
Types of repellents - chemical and natural
As we mentioned in an earlier part of this article, repellents are divided into natural and chemical. Natural ones are made from ingredients that occur in nature. These include various types of essential oils, the scent of which repels insects.
Good to know: natural repellents also include insectivorous and insect-repelling plants, such as mosquito plant, velvet, geranium, mint, basil, wormwood, eucalyptus, onion, lavender, cloves or elderberry. These plants can be grown on the balcony or in the garden.
Chemical repellents are man-made tick and mosquito repellents. These types of repellents differ, among other things, in the active substance, the method of application and the oxidation time. Mosquito and tick repellents are available on the market in various forms, most commonly in the form of an aerosol (spray), liquid, lotion or gel.
Repellents, regardless of their origin, when applied to the skin, form a vaporous protective layer on the skin, which by taste and smell repels insects such as ticks and mosquitoes. In the following article, we present the most popular repellents.
DEET repellent
DEET is a highly effective substance with insect repellent properties. The chemical was invented during the Second World War by US Army chemists. DEET interferes with the insects' ability to detect lactic acid, thus reducing their sensitivity to substances in human sweat. Humans become undetectable to insects.
However, it is worth bearing in mind that DEET is a very potent agent and should be used with caution, according to the recommendations given by the product's manufacturer.
Before using mosquito or tick repellents containing DEET for the first time, it is a good idea to do an allergy test - apply the product to a small area of skin and observe if there is an allergic reaction. Also remember that repellents with DEET should not be sprayed indoors and that the product can damage synthetic fabrics.
How long does DEET last?
Depending on the concentration, formulations with DEET show different effect times. The effect time of the preparations also depends on the humidity of the air and human perspiration. For example, a product with a concentration of 50% in temperate climates will work for about 9 hours, while in tropical climates it will work for about 4-6 hours.
Icaridin repellent
Icaridin is a chemical compound that shows similar properties to DEET. It is interchangeably referred to as picaridin.
Preparations with icaridin are a great alternative to DEET repellents for people with sensitive skin. Icaridin is also safer for textiles compared to DEET, plus it evaporates more slowly from the skin.
Icaridin repellent deters mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. At a concentration of 10 to 20%, it works for up to 8 hours. It is also worth mentioning that the repellent is odorless.
IR3535 repellent
IR 3535 (Insect Repellent) is weaker than DEET, but is also safer, especially for sensitive people. However, it is always worth performing an allergy test on a small patch of skin.
IR 3535 repels mosquitoes, ticks, blackflies, lice, cockroaches, ants, fleas and houseflies very well. At a concentration of 10-30%, it shows a long-lasting effect even in conditions with high humidity.
Repellents with natural oils
Natural tick and mosquito repellents are often used as an alternative to chemical repellents. However, it is important to note that natural repellents often show less effective and shorter-lasting protection.
Natural repellents contain a variety of plant essential oils that emit a very intense odor to repel insects. In natural repellents you can find oils such as:
-
lavender oil - repels mosquitoes, moths and cockroaches,
-
peppermint oil - repels ticks, mosquitoes and flies,
-
eucalyptus oil - repels mosquitoes,
-
patchouli oil - repels mosquitoes, ticks and moths,
-
citronella oil - repels mosquitoes,
-
basil oil - repels mosquitoes.
Natural essential oils work for about 2 hours. A very important issue is the high risk of allergic reaction. It should be remembered that the plants from which the above-mentioned essential oils are extracted are strong allergens. For this reason, the concentrations of oils should be low.
Tick and mosquito repellents for children
Children's skin is very delicate, so it is useful to know which products will be suitable for them.
As a rule, repellents containing icaridine should not be used on children under two years of age. Preparations containing IR 3535 are recommended for use from the age of 12 months.
However, remember to do an allergy test first!
If you don't want to use skin-applied repellents on your children, products that provide ultrasonic tick protection will be a good alternative.
Tick remedies for dogs and cats
Ticks can cause a number of diseases in animals, such as babesiosis, anaplasmosis, Lyme disease, tularemia, cytauxzoonosis, bartonellosis or haemabartonellosis, so it is important to protect pets from the insects as well.
On the market, there are anti-tick drops administered to pets on the neck or repellent collars, and at veterinary practices you can get preparations in tablet form or injections.
In addition to these products, ultrasonic protection devices are also available, which you can conveniently attach to your pet's collar.
Mosquito and tick repellents at MILITARY.EU
At MILITARY.EU, you will find a wide selection of effective mosquito and tick repellent. Our range includes both synthetic and natural repellents, including those for children. Our assortment additionally includes, among other things, ultrasonic tick protection, post-bite soothing agents and tick removal products.