DETROIT – Mosquitoes are annoying and can spread infections like the West Nile Virus.
So, what products can you buy to keep the pesky bugs at bay? Help Me Hank has checked with a mosquito expert at Michigan State University and with Consumer Reports to get you information that will help you fight off mosquitoes this summer.
Professor Ned Walker of Michigan State University says the number of products that truly fight off mosquitoes is fairly limited. You may be tempted by bug zappers, citronella candles, and other items. For the most part, Walker says you can save your money.
I think that those are products that are sort of marketed to people that might buy into them, without being absolutely sure that they're really efficacious."
If you see a product on store shelves promising to keep mosquitoes away, do your own research before spending the money. Read customer reviews and check out the claims so you know what you're buying.
Invest in quality mosquito repellent
The one type of product Professor Walker says he urges people to use is mosquito repellant. When you're looking for a quality repellant, you want to make sure the spray or lotion has one of these three ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Consumer Reports research also supported that conclusion, showing those are the mosquito-fighting ingredients that really work.
The consumer magazine also advises people to steer clear of repellents that claim to use plant oils like cedar, citronella, and rosemary.It's research showed that only the oil of lemon eucalyptus worked, if you're looking for a more natural option.
You should also take a close look at the concentration of those ingredients. Professor Walker says for adults a concentration of around 22 percent should work fine. You might use lower concentrations on children, and he says 40 percent is the maximum you need. Any concentration higher than 40 percent really doesn't add to the effectiveness of the repellant.
The right way to spray
Proper application is critical to make sure the insect repellant works effectively and to avoid possible side effects. Consumer Reports offers this advice on how to best use insect repellents.
- Apply the repellent to exposed skin or clothing. (as directed on the label) Never put it under clothing.
- Use just enough to cover and only for as long as needed.
- Don't apply repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. When applying to your face, spray first on your hands, then rub in, avoiding eyes and mouth and use sparingly around your ears.
- Don't let young children do their own application. Instead, put in on your hands and rub in on your child. Limit use on children's hands because they often put their hands in their eyes and mouths.
- Don't use near food and wash your hands after application before eating or drinking.
- At the end of the day, wash treated skin with soap and water.
Finally, there's another option that can help keep mosquitos away, a fan. If you bring a fan onto your patio, the breeze is enough to keep the bugs away as they are not strong enough to fly through the breezes generated by the fan.
So, if you want to avoid mosquito bites this summer, be sure to look for those quality repellents and use them safely. If you see other options out there, do your homework, read reviews, and be a smart consumer when shopping for anti-mosquito products.