INSECT REPELLENT Q&A
QUESTIONS REGARDING THE USE OF
INSECT REPELLANT
WHY SHOULD I USE INSECT
REPELLENT?
Insect repellents help people reduce their exposure to mosquito bites that may
carry potentially serious viruses such as West Nile virus, and allow them to
continue to play and work outdoors.
WHEN SHOULD I USE INSECT REPELLENT?
Apply repellent when you are going to be outdoors and will be at risk for
getting bitten by mosquitoes. Many of the mosquitoes that carry the West Nile
virus are especially likely to bite around dusk and dawn. If you are outdoors
around these times of the day, it is important to apply repellent. In many parts
of the country, there are mosquitoes that also bite during the day, and these
mosquitoes have also been found to carry the West Nile virus. The safest
decision is to apply repellent whenever you are outdoors.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD
REPELLENT BE REAPPLIED?
Follow the directions on the product you are using in order to determine how
frequently you need to reapply repellent. Sweating, perspiration or getting wet
may mean that you need to re-apply repellent more frequently. If you are not
being bitten, it is not necessary to re-apply repellent. Repellents containing a
higher concentration of active ingredient provide longer-lasting protection.
SHOULD I WEAR REPELLENT WHILE I AM INDOORS?
Probably not. If mosquitoes are biting you while you are indoors, there are
probably better ways to prevent these bites instead of wearing repellent all the
time. Check window and door screens for holes that may be allowing mosquitoes
inside. If your house or apartment does not have screens, a quick solution may
be to staple or tack screening (available from a hardware store) across the
windows. In some areas community programs can help older citizens or others who
need assistance.
WHICH REPELLENTS WORK BEST?
The most effective repellents contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), which is
an ingredient used to repel pests like mosquitoes and ticks. DEET has been
tested against a variety of biting insects and has been shown to be very
effective. The more DEET a repellent contains the longer time it can protect you
from mosquito bites. A higher percentage of DEET in a repellent does not mean
that your protection is better—just that it will last longer. DEET
concentrations higher than 50% do not increase the length of protection.
WHY DON'T YOU OFFER
DEET PRODUCTS?
We prefer to not carry DEET products for a number of reasons. We realise
however, that to offer bug repellents here, we must give you information on DEET
above, because the Center for Disease Control has offered this valueable
information to us to help educate our customers.
ARE NON-DEET
PRODUCTS EFFECTIVE?
Some non-DEET repellent products which are
intended to be applied directly to skin also provide some protection from
mosquito bites. However, studies have suggested that other products do not offer
the same level of protection, or that protection does not last as long as
products containing DEET. People should choose a repellent that they will be
likely to use consistently and that will provide sufficient protection for the
amount of time that they will be spending outdoors. Natural Solutions-Holistic
Beauty & Health are specializing in specific products for specific needs. The
companies producing these products have a good reputation for quality, result
driven products, made without DEET & other petro by-products.
WHAT DOES NATURAL SOLUTIONS OFFER IN PLACE OF
TRADITIONAL INSECT REPELLENTS?
We have an insect repellent spray from Real
Purity Products that leaves the skin soft and is not overwhelming as some.
It can be used over clothing without staining. I find that it is helpful
to reapply every hour at least. The body sweats and clothing can rub off
the product, so those in heavily mosquito polluted areas should consider this.
It would also be better to have long sleeve shirts and pants on. Taking
precautions is better in the long run. DEET FREE
