We love summer. The kids are home, the sun is out (sometimes), and vacation beckons. Whether it’s a vacation or a “staycation”, one thing we all have to deal with is bugs. Mosquitoes love this warm weather. Unfortunately, they don’t love us… or they love us too much.
Insect repellants have been around since before World War II. Of course, those were in the form of natural products such as citronella oil used in candles. These are actually still used today and some people swear by their effectiveness. The use of chemicals to repel insects took hold in 1956, when DEET was first introduced in a product for public use. While many other compounds have been studied, DEET seems to be the most effective.
DEET is the most used chemical in insect repellant products. It is generally considered safe, however there have been some toxic effects recorded, however the US Environmental Protection Agency has completed comprehensive assessments and deemed it safe to use according to label directions. They have stated that DEET is beneficial in repelling disease-carrying insects and ticks. Note that DEET repels insects; it does not kill them.
Products with DEET are generally in lotion form to apply to the skin prior to potential exposure to insects. It may also be found in liquid sprays and sticks. These are all considered safe, as long as large amounts are not inhaled.
This brings us to the latest insect repellant. This product is placed in a clip-on fan and sprayed around an individual. The active ingredient in the cartridge is metofluthrin, another known insect repellant. Metofluthrin is a spatial repellant rather than one that is applied to the skin.
Some people are attracted to the idea of not having to coat their skin with a DEET formula lotion or spray. They would rather use the clip-on repellant that contains batteries and a fan to distribute the metofluthrin product. It should be noted that long term studies have not been conducted on the effects of inhaling this product, but consumers are warned not to place it to their face and inhale. SC Johnson, the company that sells the OFF!® Clip-on Mosquito Repellant™ states that children using the product should be supervised and it is not recommended for use with infants. They say that as long as label instructions are followed, it is safe.
If you prefer to try some of the questionable old wives tales, there are plenty out there. Put a dryer sheet in your pocket (the insects don’t like the lavender and basil scents), rub garlic on your skin (that might repel your friends too), Vitamin B (probably won’t help), eat bananas (unknown), or Lemon Joy dishwasher liquid in water (no proof). I’m sure there are more, but these are samples of what people will do to try to avoid getting bit by insects AND avoid chemicals on their skin or where they might breathe them.
What product you choose is ultimately a matter of preference. Do your homework and read the labels carefully. Hopefully you will find the right product for you and your family.
