Insect repellents keep annoying insects at bay. Insects are not only annoying, they are partly also harmful. But the insect repellents must be used wisely. Especially on vacation, the means are often indispensable.
What are insect repellents?
Insect repellents keep annoying insects at bay. Insect repellents are in different dosage forms on the market. Sprays or creams are used quite often, but also as a gel is such a means to have. Most often, however, a spray is applied, in an aerosol container that delivers the liquid intermittently. An insect repellent always has the same goal, to repel insects: Wasps, moths, mosquitoes, flies or even cockroaches are killed with it. In part, these insects even become dangerous to humans, they can transmit diseases and cause skin rashes. For example, there is the danger of contamination with germs, because if the flies have previously romped on a dung heap, they can easily carry fecal residue or pathogens with them. Moths are likely to eat holes in clothes and mosquitoes bite. They can be quite a nuisance to humans, as the bites itch and diseases such as malaria can also be transmitted. That is why sometimes very strong insect repellents are taken to help, but unfortunately they also contain insecticides.
Forms, species and types
You can also distribute the insect sprays with caution in living spaces, usually all annoying insects are then killed. Unfortunately, but also other animals, such as bees. A moderate use should be a matter of course. These means can be equipped with a wide variety of insecticides. Very common are pyrethroids and piperonlybutoxide. Pyrethroid has been used for a very long time, it is one of the oldest means of insect control. It is made from the dried flowers of some chrysanthemum species. The agents have a very strong effect on insects, but pets are hardly affected. Here the toxicity is very low. Pyrethroids are considered a variation, but half of them are synthetic. The effect is much stronger. Well known are transfluthrin, thetramethrin and permethrin. These agents are used effectively in insect repellents. Piperonlybutoxide is not among the insecticides, but this substance is found in insect sprays. It often forms the basis for pyrethroid and enhances the effect of the agent. Caprylic acid is also present in insect repellents, this is a biological agent that is not a neurotoxin. Insects have a vital chitinous armor, which is dissolved by caprylic acid.
Structure and functioning
In all cases, insect repellents are mixed with organophosphorus compounds. This is a chemical agent that blocks the action of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This is a transmitting substance in the nervous system. In the nerve center, this substance is released by motor neurons. As a result, the muscle contact region is stimulated and the nerves are permanently excited. Pyrethroids are widely used in insect repellents; they are nerve agents that exert their effects as contact poisons. However, humans and quite a few species of mammals are equipped with enzymes that rapidly break down the pyrthroids, which is why these agents are hardly harmful. Insects, however, are different; they do not have their own enzymes and thus cannot defend themselves against these insecticides. Death occurs in them. Insects also die from permethrin, which is absorbed through the surface of the body. It then spreads throughout the insect’s body and it dies. Permethrin is also used in remedies for dogs. Fleas, lice, ticks and mites are controlled in this way. However, permethrin is only suitable for dogs, cats must be treated differently. Their organism can not break down the active ingredient, they would also die. The use of insect sprays is very controversial, but compared to other means outweigh, depending on the circumstance, the advantages. A fly swatter, although a natural remedy, is usually ineffective. Light sources also magically attract mosquitoes, an insect repellent is often the only truly effective means.
Medical and health benefits
However, insect repellents should only be used with caution.Excessive dosage can cause side effects, such as reddening of the skin, burning in the eyes, or itching.
consequence. These symptoms usually pass quickly. When inhaled, the agents can cause greater harm: visual disturbances, anxiety, hearing disorders, dizziness, nausea and headaches can occur afterwards. If babies and small children are in the house, the application should really be reconsidered. They have significantly fewer enzymes available for detoxification. Insect remedies are often highly criticized because they contain chemical ingredients. Sometimes, however, these very remedies can be very beneficial to health because they prevent the transmission of pathogens by mosquitoes and flies. Also, these agents can be very helpful in case of allergies, such as those that can be triggered by a wasp sting. The sting of a wasp in particular can be very painful. Malaria or yellow fever is also transmitted by mosquitoes. Insect repellents must always be used professionally. If the agents have been used as a room spray, the room should not be entered for several hours. Only when the agent has evaporated again, the room should be properly ventilated and the dead insects removed.