Only when it is too late do we notice it: an insect has stung us. With their proboscis complete with pinching tool, they penetrate the skin and secrete anesthetic substances. After successfully drawing blood, the insects chase away again. To find their target – humans – insects use a very complex interplay of smell, warmth and moisture of the skin. They particularly like a body temperature of 36.5 to 37.9 degrees Celsius, the same as is usually found in humans. They also like the carbon dioxide in the air they breathe. People have always tried to prevent insects from biting them and that is why there is a large repertoire of mosquito repellent.
What really helps against insects?
There are various measures available for insect repellent, which we present in more detail below:
- Repellents
- Mechanical defense
- Ultrasonic devices
- Clothing
Synthetic and natural repellents
To keep insects away, so-called repellents help. They change the skin property, so that mosquitoes, but also horseflies, ticks and tsetse flies can no longer locate the person. They act like a kind of camouflage coating. The repellents are available as a roll-on stick, lotion or spray. Active ingredients such as Bayrepel and DEET (diethyltoluamide) provide reliable protection for more than four hours. These agents from the pharmacy have proven effective in tests. However, they are not recommended for children under two years of age because skin irritation cannot be ruled out. For application to the skin, there are also remedies with natural active ingredients, for example essential oils of tea tree, citronella or Indian balm. Here you should try out individually whether they actually work. However, they are definitely suitable for cooling insect bites. And as a natural means of prevention, burning sage leaves in a fireproof bowl has proven effective: It keeps most mosquitoes at bay. Strong-smelling torches or tea lights, on the other hand, cannot always be relied upon. Quite the opposite is true of chemical “biocide vaporizers”. These are nevertheless only conditionally recommendable, since they contain toxic insecticides such as Allethrin or Transfluthrin and can lead to irritations in sensitive people and children.
Mechanical defense – fly screens and co.
A safe prevention are also mechanical defense measures. Within your own four walls, the bloodsuckers can be kept at a distance using simple means – fly screens or gauze on doors and windows. These are available relatively inexpensively in hardware stores and are easy to install. A mosquito net over the bed is also a safe protection. Even the fly swatter should not be underestimated in the battle of the creatures. Even in advance: if you swat a mosquito in the house in winter, you prevent many mosquito eggs from maturing in spring. Breeding sites such as rain barrels and open water containers should be emptied or at least covered.
Ultrasonic devices
Ultrasonic devices are often touted in home improvement stores. But when Stiftung Warentest put the devices under the microscope, the bloodsuckers hesitated only ten seconds longer before they struck: After an average of 35 seconds, instead of 25 seconds without ultrasound. In addition: people with fine hearing definitely also hear the high-pitched sound and are more likely to show annoyance than the insects.
Protection through clothing
Clothing can also help keep mosquitoes away: Light-colored clothing does not fly to mosquitoes because they are attuned to dark targets. Pants and shirt should also be wide-cut or made of thicker fabric, otherwise the proboscis will still reach through the textile and into the skin. And don’t forget socks, because feet and ankles are the most common targets.
Safe defense – a mix
Playing it safe is when you use a defense combination outdoors. In addition to the right clothing, you should rub uncovered skin areas with a repellent, spray thin fabric with it. Light sources also attract mosquitoes. However, since they cannot see yellow light, a yellow light bulb provides useful camouflage.
After a bite – what to do?
If bitten by a mosquito, the following tips should be followed:
- Since pathogens can penetrate into the bite wounds, you should not scratch if possible.
- If the sting has already become infected or is very red, it is treated with disinfectants. Ointments penetrate deeper into the inflamed area than solutions.
- For swelling, compresses with acetic acid–alumina solution have a pleasant effect, they have a contracting effect on the skin. Essential oils such as tea tree oil, tiger balm cool and disinfect.
- Against allergic reactions help gels containing antihistamines. Over-the-counter creams and ointments with hydrocortisone have also proven effective. In addition, also helps high-dose calcium, preferably as effervescent tablets.
- Anyone who feels itching and swelling in places other than the sting site, stomach or intestinal cramps or heart palpitations, should immediately see a doctor, because this indicates an insect venom allergy. If necessary, the doctor can prescribe an emergency kit for people at risk, which usually include an adrenaline shot and drinkable antihistamine and cortisone preparations.
- Also remember to have your tetanus protection refreshed after 10 years at the latest, as bacteria can enter the skin at a sting!
