Mosquito repellent can help you avoid getting annoyed by these insects, as well as prevent bites that could cause West Nile Virus and make you sick. If you are going outdoors, you should use mosquito repellent. Mosquitoes are the most active during dawn and dusk. Ensure you use repellents at these times. These repellents come in sprays or lotions that you either spray onto your clothing and skin or rub onto your skin. Sprays are the most effective form of mosquito repellent.
Main Ingredient: DEET
N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, better known as DEET, was created synthetically in 1955. DEET is the most common active ingredient in mosquito repellent because it is the most effective. Mosquitoes hone in on us by using the chemical receptors in their antennae to find the lactic acid emitted from our skin. DEET covers that up so the mosquitoes do not detect us. DEET results from a chemical reaction of m-toluic acid, thionyl chloride and diethyl amine.
Alternative Main Ingredient: Picaridin
Picaridin is the alternative to DEET. It is a synthetic ingredient that is derived from pepper. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) claim that Picaridin is just as effective as DEET in mosquito repellents. This is the ideal main active ingredient for those allergic to DEET.
Other Mosquito Repellent Ingredients
Mosquito repellents are most effective when they include several other repellent ingredients. These mosquito repellent contents include peppermint oil, dimethyl phthalate, lemongrass oil and lavender. Dimethyl phthalate is a clear, oily liquid with a sweet fragrance. It is slightly water soluble. Lavender is a natural ingredient in mosquito repellent, derived from the flower. Lemongrass oil is a natural mosquito repellent. It has a pleasant scent that is also used as deodorant. Peppermint oil is used because of its powerful scent.
Solvents in Mosquito Repellent
A solvent is needed in aerosol spray mosquito repellents in order to dilute the active ingredient so it is at the right concentration. Solvents also make sure the contents are mixed appropriately, and that the product can last some time in storage. The solvents used in mosquito repellents are either ethanol or propanol, which are both organic alcohols.
Propellants in Mosquito Repellent
Propellants are the ingredients that allow pressure to build inside the can so the product can be forced out and sprayed. Propellants used in mosquito repellent are liquified hydrocarbon gases such as hydrofluorocarbons, propane, butane, dimethyl ether or isobutane.
If you have had allergic reactions to mosquito repellent try one with Picardin instead of DEET. Now that you understand the contents of bug sprays you can print this out to post.
Resources:
Environment, Health and Safety Online, "Mosquito Repellent Information: What Is The Safest and Most Effective Repellent?" (accessed December 21, 2010)
How Products Are Made, "Mosquito Repellent" (accessed December 21, 2010)
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