Next you will learn:
- What types of remedies for insect bites exist today and how they fundamentally differ from each other;
- Features of the use of repellent sprays, aerosols, gels and creams - what should be the chemical composition of a really effective remedy and how one form is better or worse than another;
- What are insecticidal-repellent smoke bombs and insect coils and in what cases it is advisable to use them;
- When does it make sense to use electric ultraviolet insect exterminators and are ultrasonic mosquito repellers as effective as advertised;
- How else can you protect yourself from the bites of blood-sucking insects, as well as from the bites of wasps, hornets and leeches, and what to do if the insects still bit you ...
Generally speaking, the means used today to protect against insect bites are very diverse, and are far from being limited to the usual creams and sprays. All kinds of repellent bracelets, ultrasonic repellers, electric insect exterminators, special protective clothing, as well as smoke bombs and spirals repelling midges - all this sometimes gives a good effect in practice, but creates a choice problem for the consumer.
And indeed, the question arises: what remedy for insect bites is best suited for this or that case - for fishing, walking in the forest, or, for example, relaxing in a gazebo in the country? .. We will continue to understand this issue in more detail.
The whole variety of commercially available products designed to protect against insect bites can be divided into the following groups according to the principle of their action:
- Repellent chemicals for application to the body or clothing. The form of their release can be different - creams, gels, sprays, aerosols, as well as various wearing accessories (for example, bracelets). The active substance of such products is a special chemical compound that has a repellent (that is, repellent) effect in relation to a certain group of insects. Moreover, one preparation may contain several repellents of different chemical nature at once;
- Chemical preparations of repellent and destroying action of the fumigation type. Simply put, these products protect against insects and their bites by generating smoke (or steam) containing a certain amount of an insecticide substance. In small doses and with a short exposure, such smoke repels insects, and in higher concentrations or with prolonged exposure, it can kill them. These include, for example, insect smoke bombs, mosquito coils, household fumigators;
- Ultrasonic insect repeller.Despite the fact that today some manufacturers are trying to position such devices as a means of repelling almost any insects (bugs, fleas, flies, cockroaches, etc.), however, practice shows that in reality the effect, and even then not always, achieved only against mosquitoes;
- Electric lamp insect exterminators - are used to protect against insect bites both in a closed room (apartment, house) and on the street. The device massively attracts midges with the light of a special ultraviolet lamp and destroys insects using an electric discharge. Such devices can work not only from the socket, but also from the built-in battery, which is infected by the solar battery;
- And, finally, a very effective remedy for insect bites - both blood-sucking and any other - is special protective clothing.
Let's take a closer look at the important nuances of using these types of funds.
Sprays and aerosols for insect bites: how effective and safe are they?
In general, sprays and aerosols for insect bites are quite convenient means for one-time or occasional occasional use. After application, a small amount of chemical repellent remains on the skin or clothing, repelling mosquitoes, mosquitoes, midges and (or) ticks, depending on the purpose of the drug.
On a note
The difference between sprays and aerosols is that in the case of a spray, the active composition is pushed out of the nozzle under the action of pressure created when the sprayer is pressed, while in the case of using an aerosol can, the composition is pushed out due to the expansion of the liquefied gas in the can.Thus, the use of an aerosol agent can greatly facilitate the task if it is necessary to treat a large number of people in a short period of time.
Many insect sprays (and aerosol preparations) contain DEET (diethyltoluamide) and pyrethroids (eg alpha-cypermethrin) as active ingredients. Some preparations are based on more modern and safer repellents (for example, IR3535 repellent, which is a derivative of the natural amino acid beta-alanine).
The amount of classic and fairly effective DEET repellant in sprays usually varies depending on what kind of protection against insect bites the product is intended to provide and how long this protection should last. For example, sprays and aerosols for so-called professional protection against insect bites in the wild can contain up to 50% DEET, while preparations for protecting children from mosquito bites while walking contain 7-10% DEET.
Means with a DEET content above 15% provide a fairly well-defined repellent of ticks, however, for reliable protection, it is advisable to choose drugs that additionally contain an insecticide from the pyrethroid group.
In general, a high-quality spray or aerosol allows you to quite confidently protect yourself from mosquito and midge bites anywhere - even in a summer cottage, even in a forest or fishing.
On a note
It is believed that with one-time and occasional use of insect bites, the concentration of DEET in them up to 10% is safe for babies. If the baby needs to be protected from insects regularly, then it is better to do without the use of chemical repellents.
The most popular sprays and aerosols for insect bites are the DEET trademark of the same name as the repellent, as well as Mosquitall, Off, Neotox, Taiga and others. Some manufacturers have a large number of products targeted at different age groups and protecting against different insects.
A significant disadvantage of sprays and aerosol preparations is the possibility of side effects when inhaled and prolonged contact with the skin, especially in people prone to allergic reactions. Sometimes, with rare use, there are no problems, but if the product is used regularly, then the likelihood of skin irritation, intoxication and allergic reactions increases.
Repellent gels and creams
Gels and creams for insect bites, according to the principle of their action, are in many ways similar to sprays and aerosol preparations, with the only difference being that instead of spraying, the agent is applied to open areas of the skin and rubbed over them. The active substance of such gels and creams is, as a rule, the same diethyltoluamide (DEET).
On a note
In addition, preparations are also produced for children in the form of milk for application to the skin - they protect against the bites of mosquitoes, mosquitoes, midges, midges. Also based on DEET.
Baby creams containing IR3535 repellent are also quite effective against insect bites.
However, in general, in terms of popularity among consumers, insect bite gels and creams are somewhat inferior to sprays due to the difficulty of applying the drug to the body: if it is enough to simply spray it on clothes or skin, then the gel must be thoroughly rubbed over the skin, without missing a single unprotected site.
Repellent creams and gels are comparable to sprays and aerosol preparations in terms of the duration of protection provided against insect bites: the duration of protection is usually 2-4 hours. For this reason, for example, hunters and fishermen will need to treat their hands and face with a neck several times a day, which is not always convenient in the case of creams and gels.
In addition, insect bite creams and gels are contraindicated for dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, furunculosis and some other skin diseases, and they are not recommended for pregnant and lactating women.
Among creams and gels, there are both "adult" preparations and specialized products for protecting children. For example, "DEET Baby" is a cream in a tube containing DEET and does not cause side effects if used occasionally. Similar drugs are produced by Off, Mosquitall and some others.
On a note
Sometimes they try to protect themselves from insects with the help of natural essential oils, applying them to clothing or skin. However, in reality, essential oils for insect bites usually do not help very effectively: although bloodsucking parasites really do not like strong pungent odors, however, with a large number of bloodsuckers around, such protection will not help.
However, when there are not many mosquitoes and they are not too aggressive, essential oil, for example, lavender, is quite capable of repelling the effect and saving you from unpleasant bites.
Insect smoke bombs
Insecticide-repellent smoke bombs repel mosquitoes, midges, midges and midges from the territory in general, and when used in enclosed spaces, they destroy insects in it. For example, using a checker in nature, you can later relax without listening to the continuous squeak of mosquitoes around you, and if you light such a checker, for example, in a room, then not only mosquitoes and flies will die, but also cockroaches, ants and other unwanted "guests ".
One of the disadvantages of insecticidal-repellent smoke bombs is that they repel insects only from a strictly defined area. That is, they are well suited for fishing and campfire gatherings, but if you want, for example, to take a walk in the forest nearby, then you will have to use something else (spray, aerosol or cream) for insect bites. Therefore, smoke bombs are not suitable for protection against insect bites on excursions or during active stages of hiking.
In addition, insecticide-repellent checkers do not provide reliable protection against the bites of ticks and spiders - those arthropods that cannot quickly leave the territory. After using the checkers, their activity on the area treated with smoke will decrease significantly, but these funds still will not provide guaranteed protection against bites.
Today, the following insect checkers are quite popular and quite affordable:
- Quiet evening;
- City;
- Climate;
- Tsifum;
- Yamal.
On a note
The most effective and at the same time safe for health are smoke bombs based on modern insecticides from the pyrethroid group (usually permethrin and cypermethrin are used). But it is better not to use sulfuric insect smoke bombs - these products are more suitable for fighting mold, for example, in greenhouses and basements.
The use of insecticidal checkers based on hexachlorane (another name is hexachlorocyclohexane) is also not recommended due to the high toxicity of this substance and its ability to accumulate in the body. An example is checker G-17.
The cost of insecticidal-repellent smoke bombs usually varies between 400-800 rubles apiece.
The order of application is as follows: the checker is lit, and as soon as smoke begins to come out of it, it is simply carried around the perimeter of the area that needs to be protected from insects, and then placed in the center of it. Sometimes the saber is tied to a rope and waved around to distribute the smoke in the air.
The protective effect of one smoke bomb covers approximately 500-800 square meters of area and lasts for several hours in the absence of wind.
A small summary: it is most advisable to use smoke bombs to protect against insect bites during a “stationary” stay in nature in good weather conditions. At the same time, in areas with a large number of encephalitis ticks, checkers do not provide complete protection against their bites, so additional protective equipment may be required.
Coils from mosquitoes and midges
These funds, as well as insecticidal-repellent smoke bombs, are designed to protect against insects of a strictly defined area of \u200b\u200bthe territory. At the same time, the smoldering spiral, due to the slow release of the active substance, is generally less effective than the checker, and allows you to protect the space with a radius of only a few meters around it. But the duration of the protective effect will be longer than in the case of checkers and, moreover, the effect is not so sensitive to the presence of wind.
Mosquito and midge coils should be considered mainly as a means of protection against insect bites at a table on a veranda or in rooms with open windows.
The following brands of spirals for repelling insects are quite popular:
- Raptor;
- Mosquitall;
- neotox;
- raid;
- Fumitox.
On a note
The active ingredients of highly effective insect coils can be, for example, d-alletrin and transfluthrin.
Prices for mosquito coils are in the range of 100-250 rubles for a pack of 10 coils.
It is useful to keep in mind that although such coils are considered quite safe for people, nevertheless, in the case of regular and frequent inhalation of insecticide-repellent smoke, this is unlikely to add health. And even more so, it is not worth constantly fumigating living quarters with them.
Electric insect exterminators
The products of this group are well suited for protecting against mosquitoes both indoors and outdoors - for example, directly near a private house (veranda, courtyard, terrace). Here the device is connected to the electrical network and attracts insects with the light of an ultraviolet lamp. There is a metal grid in front of the lamp, to which a high voltage is connected - flying up to the grid, the insect is destroyed by an electric discharge and falls into a special tray, which must be periodically freed from the accumulated "corpses".
On a note
Electric insect exterminators also have alternative names: insect lamp, insect lantern, electric shock insect exterminator, ultraviolet mosquito trap, etc.
An important point: the lamp of the device emits soft ultraviolet and does not ozonize the air, so you can not be afraid of the presence of a specific smell of ozone in the room.It is also useful to keep in mind that UV attracts not only mosquitoes, but also flies, moths, moths and some other flying insects - all of which will die on the net.
The following brands of traps are quite popular:
- Well - among them there are both small models for an apartment, and street and industrial exterminators of flying insects used on farms and large warehouses;
- Mo El - mainly residential traps;
- Hilton - the most budgetary traps (their prices start at 300 rubles).
A small summary: when protecting against insect bites at night directly inside the premises, as well as, for example, near a private house, the funds of this group show quite good efficiency and, importantly, absolutely do not harm human health, since during their work they do not emit into air insecticides and repellents. However, during daylight hours and, especially, in conditions of going out into nature, such devices will not protect against the bites of the same mosquitoes.
Ultrasonic repellers
In general, ultrasonic insect repellers can be attributed to the least effective means, and it is not worth hoping that they will reliably protect against the bites of mosquitoes, mosquitoes, various midges and, moreover, ticks in nature. For most insects, low-power ultrasound does not have a pronounced effect at all, with the exception of mosquitoes.
On a note
It is believed that ultrasound of a certain frequency is perceived by mosquitoes as a danger signal.
Electronic ultrasonic mosquito repellents, produced mainly by the Chinese industry, protect against bites only with a small number of bloodsuckers, and even then not always.In the forest, in the presence of a large number of hungry mosquitoes, such a keychain will be absolutely useless.
More powerful models of ultrasonic repellers protect against mosquito bites in enclosed spaces and work from an outlet.
Special clothing to protect against insect bites
Instead of using repellent creams, aerosols or smoke bombs in mosquito areas, it is often much easier and more effective to cover the body with special clothing, preventing bloodsuckers from getting close to the skin.
Such a set of protective clothing is simple, cheap and helps to protect against insect bites better than using chemicals. However, in especially hot weather, as well as in the presence of a not very large number of bloodsuckers, it is easier to spray with a spray or smear with cream.
On a note
People whose work is connected with a constant stay in an area with an abundance of midges (geologists, forest workers, biologists) use special very light clothing - windbreaker pants and a jacket made of light materials. The jacket usually has a hood with a mosquito net so that you do not have to also have a beekeeper's mask. Such a suit can be worn over any clothing, or simply thrown over a naked body. If the work is connected with constant observations, and nothing should interfere with the eyes, then the face is additionally rubbed with a repellent gel.
And further: Convenient and efficient electric insect exterminators
Remedies for ticks: is there any specificity?
To protect against tick bites are usually used:
- Gels, aerosols and sprays applied to the skin and clothing;
- As well as the clothes themselves, through which ticks cannot crawl.
The composition of effective tick remedies is usually combined - most often not only a repellent (for example, DEET repellent), but also contact insecticides (alpha-cypermethrin, permethrin) are used. That is, even just crawling through the treated clothes, the tick is already in contact with the poison, which within a few minutes causes paralysis and subsequent death in the parasite.
Sufficiently effective remedies for ticks can be found, for example, among the following brands: Mosquitall, Gardex, Taiga, etc.
Tick protection clothing should provide full body protection. Socks must be worn on the feet, pants must be tucked into them, into which, in turn, a jacket or jacket is tucked. Very often in the forest, ticks fall on a person from the branches of trees and shrubs (although some doubt this), and therefore it is important to wear a jacket with a hood on excursions. On the arms and on the belt of such a jacket there should be elastic bands that ensure a snug fit of the fabric to the skin.
On a note
All this is necessary in areas with a high risk of infection with tick-borne encephalitis. In areas where encephalitis has not been detected, such measures are not mandatory - even if a tick bites here, such a bite will not cause much harm.
It is also important to remember that even an infected tick transmits the pathogen only a few hours after the start of bloodsucking. If during the walk or immediately after it, the body is carefully examined (it is necessary that someone else does this) and the attached ticks are removed, then the risk of infection will be minimal. However, it is safer to avoid bites altogether.
If the tick has already stuck, you need to either squeeze it with your nails as close to the skin as possible, or wrap a thread around it here, and then pull it out very carefully. It is advisable to slightly scroll it in the skin before pulling it out - this does not hurt, but it will prevent a possible tearing off of the head, which can remain in the wound and lead to an abscess. You can also burn the tick with a match or cigarette, or smear it with vegetable oil - in the first case, it will try to unhook reflexively, in the second - due to lack of oxygen.
If a stuck tick is removed from a person without an appropriate vaccination in an area with a high encephalitis hazard, then the bitten one should see a doctor. The appearance in nature in such an area without prior vaccination is a gross violation of safety rules.
How to protect yourself from the bites of non-parasitic insects?
There are no special means of protection against the bites of wasps, bees, hornets, horseflies and predatory bugs. These insects bite rarely and only in self-defense - if they are picked up, accidentally sit on them, or otherwise create a threat. In this case, it does not matter at all whether the person is smeared with repellent gel.
However, the likelihood of being bitten by non-parasitic insects can be reduced by treating the area with the same smoke bombs - wasps and bees will fly away from this place if their nest is not located on it. But still, the main protection against such bites is the correct behavior:
- In nature and in the garden, you should always check the place you plan to sit on;
- Do not leave bottles of drinks open and then drink directly from them. Wasps and hornets often climb into the neck of bottles, which can eventually get into a person's mouth.It is in such situations that very dangerous bites occur (with compression of the airways due to edema);
- If you accidentally find a wasp nest (or a nest of hornets), you need to slowly and carefully move away from it, without provoking insects to attack;
- When leaving for a picnic, it is advisable to keep all sweet, meat and fish products closed as long as possible;
- You can’t lie naked on the grass (the so-called “earth wasps”, as well as hornets, can arrange their nest underground).
Clothing on the body to a certain extent protects against the bites of stinging insects. In the summer, a T-shirt tucked into light pants is enough to reduce the risk of a wasp sting by 90%.
Rules for choosing a tool for different situations
As a result, you should choose insect bite remedies like this:
- For protection on excursions or on a short trip, while hunting or when working in the country, you should use products for application to the skin or clothing;
- In areas with a high risk of infection with encephalitis, in addition to the use of repellents, you need to be dressed in the most closed clothing;
- On a fishing or picnic, it is advisable to pre-treat the area with an insecticidal-repellent smoke bomb;
- When eating on the veranda or in a room with open windows, mosquito coils can be used, and in the dark, an additional lamp insect exterminator;
- On long hikes in the forest, most of the time you need to be dressed in closed clothes, periodically applying repellents to it, as well as to the skin of the face and hands.
In addition, for any trips to nature or to the country, it is advisable to have with you ointments used after insect bites, and for people with insect allergies, special auto-injectors with epinephrine (adrenaline) to prevent the development of anaphylactic shock.
Means for the treatment of bites: what to do if you have already been bitten?
If we are talking, for example, about such parasitic insects as mosquitoes or fleas, then it is either not worth fighting the consequences of their bites at all, and they will go away on their own in a few days, or to speed up the process, you can:
- Use any medical remedy after insect bites - Fenistil or Menovazin gel. For children, children's products from Mosquitall and Gardex Family are well suited. With the bites of stinging insects, these remedies are not always enough, you need to carefully monitor the condition of the injured person, and if necessary, see a doctor;
- You can also use folk remedies. It helps to relieve itching from mosquito bites and bedbugs cold soda solution, or skin treatment with lemon juice;
- It is believed that some oils also help well after insect bites - castor, aloe, cedar. However, in practice, oils do not always alleviate itching, and some essential oils can, on the contrary, increase it, irritating damaged skin. For example, the well-known recipe for a homemade insect bite pencil is rather doubtful in terms of effectiveness, which includes 7 grams of wax, 2 drops of liquid vitamin E and 40 drops of any essential oils - mint, lavender, geranium, pine ...
If a stinging insect bite occurs, its place is usually lubricated with any anti-inflammatory (Hydrocortisone, Advantan) or analgesic (for example, Menovazin) ointment. When choosing an ointment, it should be borne in mind that each drug has its own contraindications for use.
If a bee stings, then before applying any remedy, you must first remove the sting from the wound. If there are signs of an allergic reaction, you should immediately consult with your doctor about further actions (at least by phone). Sometimes you need to take antihistamines (Suprastin, Erius, Diphenhydramine) and even urgent hospitalization.
On a note
A large hard bump usually remains at the site of a tick bite. If you do not comb and touch it, then it will not bother the victim, and after a few days it will resolve on its own. In case of itching, the same Advantan or hydrocortisone ointment can be used (contraindications are possible). If, after a few days, well-defined red circles appear around the bite site, then you need to go to the hospital - this is the first sign of Lyme borreliosis.
How to avoid leech bites and what to do if you have already been bitten?
The main difficulty in protecting against leeches is that they live in water, and here all protective agents are quickly washed off human skin. Leeches in wet grass are reliably protected by means with a 20% content of DEET, but more often these parasites attack bathers and fishermen in stagnant water bodies. Absolutely reliable protection against them here is rubber boots or a wetsuit (including hydrosocks).
Leech bites are unpleasant, first of all, with profuse bleeding.To prevent it, it is advisable to sprinkle the wound with a nasal vasoconstrictor - Naphthyzinum or Galazolin (contraindications are possible), and then apply a dense cotton compress to it and wrap it tightly with a bandage.
Well, be careful when relaxing in the forest or in the country, use the right insect repellent and enjoy nature without fear of parasites!
If you have personal experience with the use of certain insect bite protection products, do not forget to leave your feedback at the bottom of this page (in the comment box).
Useful video: how to escape from insect bites
An example of using a smoke bomb Quiet Evening from mosquitoes in nature
