When To Use OFF Insect Repellent, And When To Go Natural

OFF insect repellent is one of many options when it comes to using a chemical solution to protect yourself from potentially damaging insect bites. There is no doubt that using some form of protective solution, preferably in conjunction with other types of barrier as well, is necessary when you visit certain parts of the world where the risk of mosquito bites is especially high. There is also a strong case for using such a repellent in other environments where the risk is not so acute, but where you can still suffer discomfort from insect bites.

The first choice which you have to make when considering which insect repellent to use is whether you want to use a chemical based solution or a natural product. There are several factors to consider. The first consideration is whether the solution you will be using is safe, and there is more suspicion than ever before regarding chemical based products. DEET based repellents, of which OFF insect repellent is one, are proven to be effective, but are they safe? The answer is that they are fundamentally safe in terms of immediate danger, but that there are cumulative long term side effects which can be harmful.

So, is the use of OFF insect repellent worthwhile given the potential risks? The answer depends on the length of time that you will be using the product, and the circumstances in which it will be used. The risks involved with chemical insect repellents need to be seen in context. Only four deaths have ever been reported which could be attributed to DEET, amongst the millions of users each year, and the percentage of people reporting serious health problems is less than many types of food.

Where there is a definite risk is with prolonged use. Tests carried out on National Park workers have shown that there are cumulative negative effects on the mental condition of employees who use these chemicals. Sleep patterns are frequently disturbed, mental cognizance is reduced, and the mood and morale of the user is prone to fluctuation. These risks suggest that DEET should only be used where there is a definite need for the strongest available protection, and where only a short term use of the product is demanded.

OFF insect repellent is better used in extreme and short term circumstances. If you are going into an area where there is a pronounced risk of mosquito bites, then you should use the strongest DEET based insect repellent you can find. The difficulty comes when the risk is less easy to quantify, and where you will be using the product for longer periods of time. In these cases, it is probably wise to look into a more natural plant-based solution, bearing in mind that even these can cause allergic reaction in some people, and that you will need to apply the solution more often. If you know there is a risk of mosquito bite, it is still better to use a solution such as OFF insect repellent.






 

Insect Repellent News:

 

Improved almond spraying reduces pesticide movement - Western Farm Press

Western Farm Press
Improved almond spraying reduces pesticide movement
Western Farm Press
Improving the accuracy and efficacy of spray applications for pest control results not only in better control and more returns to growers, but it can also reduce the environmental impact of almond farming by minimizing off-site movement of pesticides .

..


City officials say mosquito population under control - 660 News

City officials say mosquito population under control
660 News
The city uses a biological bacterial spray that attacks the digestive system of larvae. Wilkins believes warmer weather this summer will also help in limiting the population for July and August. El Nino is expected to warm up Calgary by a couple of .

and more »
..


West Nile Virus surveillance begins for the 2012 season
Beginning June 1, the Four Corners Health Department, serving Butler, Polk, Seward and York Counties requests assistance from the public to monitor the presence of West Nile Virus in our community...


Buzz off, mozzies
Having had dengue, I have to ensure I don't get it a second time as doctors warn the next attack will be more severe. To date, I have been staving off mosquitoes with insect repellent but it is a drag having to remember to respray it on every few hours...


Why you should get the insect bug - The Guardian

The Guardian
Why you should get the insect bug
The Guardian
I know exactly when I caught the bug for insects. It was in the French Pyrenees, at a now defunct scientific insect film competition called Fifi. I was sipping coffee in a square, listening to the natural soundtrack of cicadas, when I was suddenly .

..


Insect-repelling fashion collection aims to fight malaria in style
Two Cornell fashion design students have developed fabric embedded with insecticide to protect against mosquitoes and other pesky bugs...


St. Vital is battleground against invasive moths - Winnipeg Free Press

St. Vital is battleground against invasive moths
Winnipeg Free Press
He said two more applications, each seven days apart, will be needed to eradicate the bug population. Stuart said while the city will allow buffer zones for spraying for mosquitos and cankerworms, it will not allow them in the fight against the moths.

and more »
..


 




Many, if not all of the links on this website are affiliate links which means that we will be compensated if you choose to buy at some point in the near future. Please accept our sincere thanks for your support.


Technorati Tags: , ,