Monday 9 May 2011

Liquid Mosquito Repellents

Liquid Mosquito Repellents




A mosquito repellent is a substance applied to skin, clothing, or other surfaces which discourages mosquitoes (and arthropods in general) from landing or climbing on that surface. There is also Mosquito repellent products available based on sound production, particularly ultrasound (inaudibly high frequency sounds). These electronic devices have been shown to have no effect as a mosquito repellent by studies done by the EPA and many universities.

A liquid Mosquito repellent is a kind of a liquid which is applied to skin which helps to discourage mosquitoes. liquid mosquito repellents help prevent and control the outbreak of Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, Lyme disease, Dengue fever, bubonic plague, and West Nile fever. Pest animals commonly serving as vectors for disease include the mosquito’s flea, fly, and mosquito; and the arachnid tick.

History:
The first truly effective active ingredient used in liquid mosquito repellents was citronella oil. This material is an herbal extract derived from the citronella plant, an Asian grass. While citronella had been used for centuries for medicinal purposes, its repellence was only accidentally discovered in 1901, when it was used as a hairdressing fragrance. Since citronella oil is a fragrant material, it is thought that the chemical terpenes of which it is composed are responsible for its repellent activity. Citronella oil does repel mosquitoes, but it has certain characteristics which limit its effectiveness. For example, it is very volatile and evaporates too quickly from surfaces to which it is applied. Also, large amounts are needed to be effective.

Mosquito repellent safety:
Regarding safety with Mosquito repellent use on children and pregnant women:

• Children may be at greater risk for adverse reactions to repellents, in part, because their exposure may be greater.
• Keep repellents out of the reach of children.
• Do not allow children to apply repellents to them.
• Use only small amounts of repellent on children.
• Do not apply repellents to the hands of young children because this may result in accidental eye contact or ingestion.
• Try to reduce the use of repellents by dressing children in long sleeves and long pants tucked into boots or socks whenever possible. Use netting over strollers, playpens, etc.
• As with chemical exposures in general, pregnant women should take care to avoid exposures to repellents when practical, as the fetus may be vulnerable.

Regardless of which repellent product used, it is recommended to read the label before use and carefully follow directions.[13] Usage instructions for repellents vary from country to country. Some Liquid mosquito repellents are not recommended for use on younger children.

Liquid Mosquito repellent is the most effective way to combat mosquitoes that may spread diseases such as malaria, dengue and Japanese encephalitis. Liquid liquid mosquito repellents with deep reach action keeps mosquito away from every corner of the home. They also keep the fresh with their unique fragrance

Natural Liquid Liquid mosquito repellents:

Mosquito repellent sprays are applied to the skin and clothing to discourage Mosquitoes from landing on that surface. Many Mosquitoes carry and spread diseases such as West Nile fever, Lyme disease, bubonic plague, and others. The use of repellents can help prevent and control outbreaks of such Mosquito-borne diseases. Some repellents are very effective against pests, but contain synthetic ingredients that can be unsafe for humans. Natural Liquid mosquito repellents are highly effective, nontoxic alternatives that do not contain harmful synthetic ingredients.
One of the most common active ingredients found in synthetic Liquid mosquito repellents is DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). DEET is a powerful Mosquitoicide used in over 400 products. Although DEET is very effective as a Mosquito repellent, its safety record is questionable. When applied directly on the skin, over half of DEET is absorbed into the bloodstream. It can cause side effects such as skin rashes, muscle spasms, nausea, lethargy, and irritability. Severe reactions can cause seizures or death. DEET is a moderate pesticide and studies have shown that it may not be safe for use in and around water sources. Therefore, the health concerns from use of DEET far outweigh its effectiveness against Mosquitoes.

Natural, safe, and effective alternatives to DEET are available. Liquid mosquito repellents can be made with organic, all natural ingredients that are not unsafe for humans. These products are made from naturally occurring sources that repel certain Mosquitoes. Some of these ingredients act as Mosquitoicides, while others only repel pests. These natural Liquid mosquito repellents are made primarily from essential oils derived from plant sources. Most natural Repellents are just as effective as DEET, and they have a huge advantage because the ingredients are not toxic to humans.

Liquid mosquito repellents work by using a fragrance that Mosquitoes naturally avoid. This odor helps to mask the human scent that initially attracts Mosquitoes. Most natural Liquid mosquito repellents contain the aromatic oil of citronella. Citronella is an essential oil obtained from the leaves of the plant Cymbopogon. Its lemon-like fragrance is pleasant to most people, but offensive to mosquitoes and other Mosquitoes. Citronella has been approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a non-toxic pesticide. Other aromatic essential oils commonly found in natural Liquid mosquito repellents include lavender, rosemary, peppermint, cedar leaf, lemongrass, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, and bergamot. Research has also shown that neem oil is an effective repellent for mosquitoes. Other volatile plant oils that work well as natural repellents are cinnamon, castor, cedar, clove, geranium, pine, basil, thyme, and garlic. Soybean oil has no direct .

Mosquito repellent activity, but it is often used as a fixative to extend the shorter duration of action of some essential oils. Products containing multiple natural repellents tend to be more effective for more Mosquitoes than those containing only a single ingredient.
Most natural repellents contain water in place of alcohol as the carrier base. Water is less volatile and does not evaporate as quickly as alcohol. Water has less dermal absorption, which leaves more repellent on the skin. Water based products will last longer because there is less need to reapply. Also, many people are sensitive to the strong aroma of alcohol, so the water-based products have a more pleasant smell.
The use of Liquid mosquito repellents can help control and prevent outbreaks of Mosquito-borne diseases. Many Mosquitoes carry and spread diseases such as West Nile fever, Lyme disease, and bubonic plague.

It's very easy to make your own natural mosquito repellent. These natural products will effectively repel mosquitoes, but they require more frequent reapplication Because of the differences between types of mosquitoes, products that contain multiple repellents tend to be more effective than those containing a single ingredient. As you can see, natural repellents tend to be volatile plant oils

Citronella Oil
• Lemon Eucalyptus Oil
• Cinnamon Oil
• Castor Oil
• Rosemary Oil
• Lemongrass Oil
• Cedar Oil
• Peppermint Oil
• Clove Oil
• Geranium Oil
• Possibly Oils from Verbena, Pennyroyal, Lavender, Pine, Cajeput, Basil, Thyme, Allspice, Soybean, and Garlic

Another plant-derived substance, pyrethrum, is a Mosquitoicide. Pyrethrum comes from the flowers of the daisy Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium.
Liquid mosquito repellents are most effective when they include several other repellent ingredients. These include peppermint oil, dimethyl phthalate, lemongrass oil and lavender. Dimethyl phthalate is a clear, oily liquid with a sweet fragrance. It is slightly water soluble. Lavender is a natural ingredient in mosquito repellent, derived from the flower. Lemongrass oil is a natural mosquito repellent. It has a pleasant scent that is also used as deodorant. Peppermint oil is used because of its powerful scent.
Herbs in Natural Mosquito Repellent:

The herbs most well known for their Mosquito-repelling abilities are bay leaf, chamomile, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, lavender, lemongrass, neem leaf, mugwort, pennyroyal, rosemary, rue, santolina, southernwood, tansy, and thyme. Citronella and tea tree oils are potent essential oils that may be combined with herbs in Mosquito-repelling sachets or liquid infusions to enhance their effectiveness.

Mosquito-repelling herbs can be planted in pots kept on windowsills to discourage Mosquitoes from entering the house. Where climate allows, the herbs can be cultivated in a dedicated garden, or they can be added to an existing vegetable garden or flower bed. Many herbs are excellent companion plants. Because they discourage Mosquitoes from damaging the plants around them, they are a great complement to other forms of organic pest control. Herbs with Mosquito-repelling properties also can be grown in pots and placed around the perimeter of an outdoor dining area or patio to keep Mosquitoes at bay when eating or relaxing outside.

Fresh herbs are "activated" by gently bruising their leaves—rubbing them between the thumb and fingers with light pressure. This brings the plant’s oils to the surface of the leaf, releasing the fragrance and enhancing its ability to repel Mosquitoes. Bundles and garlands of dried herbs may be hung near windows, doors, and in entryways to ward off Mosquitoes. Dried leaves and stems can be crushed, blended with essential oils and a fixative such as cut orrisroot, and packaged in cloth sachets. The sachets can then be tucked into cabinets, drawers, sheds, and basement areas. Garlands of dried herbs can be hung near pet areas to repel fleas.

On camping trips, sachets that repel mosquitoes and gnats can be hung from tent flaps and camper doors to discourage these Mosquitoes from entering. They can also be dangled from the arms of camp chairs and from hammocks. Fly-repelling herbs and sachets can be hung around cooking and eating areas. Pennyroyal, an herb in the mint family, is exceptionally effective at repelling flies, fleas, and gnats. However, the essential oil of pennyroyal is considered toxic and should not be ingested or handled, particularly by pregnant women. It should be noted that some herbs and essential oils are toxic and care should be taken when handling them. Herbs and herbal preparations to repel Mosquitoes should be kept out of the reach of children and pets

Advantages:

Repellents are usually applied to the skin, especially on the arms, legs, neck, and face.
Sometimes, the repellent is applied directly to clothing.
Repellent use is generally directed against mosquitoes. However some repellents also are quite effective at protecting against the bites of black flies, sand flies,
Horse flies, deer flies, and chiggers. Many well-known repellents are now
Prominently advertised as being effective against ticks.

Liquid mosquito repellents are substances that are designed to make surfaces unpleasant or unattractive to mosquitoes. They typically contain an active ingredient that repels mosquitoes as well as secondary ingredients, which aid in delivery and cosmetic appeal. They are available in many forms, from creams to lotions to oils, but are most often sold as aerosol products.

When to Apply Liquid Mosquito Repellent:

Although mosquitoes are vital members of the food chain, most people consider them an utter nuisance. Mosquito bites can be itchy and painful, and mosquitoes even spread deadly diseases in some parts of the world. Mosquito repellent helps keep these irritating, blood-sucking Mosquitoes away and it is completely safe to use as long as you follow instructions. By keeping a few simple tips in mind, you will keep those mosquitoes away and ensure your family's safety.
Where to Apply and Quantity

An antiseptic Lotion and disinfectant that is widely used for dressing minor skin wounds and burns to prevent infection and in oral preparations for treating sore gums and mouth ulcers, cleansing the mouth, and preventing the formation of plaque on teeth. It is used before surgery and obstetrical procedures to cleanse and disinfect the skin of the patient and the hands of the surgeon. Chlorhexidine is also used for washing out catheters and may be instilled into the bladder for treating bladder infections. It is used in the form of gluconate, acetate, or hydrochloride, either alone or in combination with other drugs, and is available as a liquid, mouthwash, dental gel, spray, Lotion, or powder. Preparations in which it is the sole ingredient are usually freely available over the counter, but some combined preparations can only be bought from pharmacies.

Use on Children

Young children's skin is much more sensitive than adults'. The chemicals found in many commercial liquid mosquito repellents are just too strong for them. If you purchase mosquito repellent for use on your children (ages 6 months to 12 years), choose a repellent that contains less than 10 percent DEET. Regardless of the type of repellent, never spray a child's hands or face because kids are prone to putting their fingers in their mouths and ingesting Dangerous chemicals. In general, use mosquito repellent very sparingly on kids. Apply spray to your hands and gently rub your child's exposed skin areas, avoiding the eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Infants under 6 months should never use repellents containing DEET.

Preventing Mosquitoes

While repellents can be very effective on their own, a number of things can be done to increase your chances against mosquitoes. First, cover up with clothing as much as possible before going outdoors where you know there will be mosquitoes. Mosquitoes cannot bite through most clothing, except for very thin T-shirts. In general, you should avoid going outside during peak mosquito feeding hours at dawn and dusk. In addition, studies show that mosquitoes are more attracted to blue than other colors, according to worldvillage.com, so avoid wearing blue

Important Things:

Although mosquitoes are vital members of the food chain, most people consider them an utter nuisance. Mosquito bites can be itchy and painful, and mosquitoes even spread deadly diseases in some parts of the world. Mosquito repellent helps keep these irritating, blood-sucking Mosquitoes away and it is completely safe to use as long as you follow instructions. By keeping a few simple tips in mind, you will keep those mosquitoes away and ensure your family's safety.

Where to Apply and Quantity

When mosquitoes are biting you from head to toe, the temptation is often to cover every inch of your body with mosquito repellent, but this is not recommended. First of all, always try to use the minimum amount of spray possible. Unlike sunscreen, which is safe to use in excess quantities on all skin areas, most commercial liquid mosquito repellents contain chemicals like DEET that can harm your skin if overused. Spray a light amount of repellent only on exposed areas of skin. There's no need to spray the skin that will be covered by clothing. Don't spray anywhere near open cuts, wounds or lesions of any kind. Also, avoid applying mosquito repellent on your face directly. Spray a bit on your hands, then gently pat your face down, avoiding the eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible.

Use on Children

Young children's skin is much more sensitive than adults'. The chemicals found in many commercial liquid mosquito repellents are just too strong for them. If you purchase mosquito repellent for use on your children (ages 6 months to 12 years), choose a repellent that contains less than 10 percent DEET. Regardless of the type of repellent, never spray a child's hands or face because kids are prone to putting their fingers in their mouths and ingesting dangerous chemicals. In general, use mosquito repellent very sparingly on kids. Apply spray To your hands and gently rub your child's exposed skin areas, avoiding the eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Infants under 6 months should never use repellents containing DEET.

Preventing Mosquitoes

While repellents can be very effective on their own, a number of things can be done to increase your chances against mosquitoes. First, cover up with clothing as much as possible before going outdoors where you know there will be mosquitoes. Mosquitoes cannot bite through most clothing, except for very thin T-shirts. In general, you should avoid going outside during peak mosquito feeding hours at dawn and dusk. In addition, studies show that mosquitoes are more attracted to blue than other colors, according to worldvillage.com, so avoid wearing blue

References http://en.wikipedia.org
http://chemistry.about.com
http://www.suite101.com
http://ehow.com
http://www.articlesbase.com


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