A repellent, also known as bug spray, is designed to repel insects and prevent them from biting. It acts by "burning" insects' sensory appendages (odour), making them unable to locate their "prey" (humans & animals) and take their blood meal. A repellent does not kill. Certain bug sprays are effective on several different arthropods: mosquitoes, ticks, phlebotomus, flies, gnats, chiggers, bees, wasps, hornets, lice, etc.
Unlike a repellent, an insecticide kills insects by acting on their central nervous system. They are found in environmental products (aerosol bombs, diffusers etc.).
For centuries, humans have used natural products to protect themselves from insect bites: olive oil, copaiba oil, pyrethrum cushions, essential oil (citronella, mint, etc.), but since these products have very limited effect, they have been replaced by synthetic products.
The search for new repellent compounds took a decisive turn during the Vietnam War, when the Americans sought to protect their troops.
There are two types of repellent products :
- Repellents for Skin (body),
- repellents for Fabric.
Repellents for skin
These products, which contain IR35/35, Citriodiol, DEET, Icaridin etc., are applied to all exposed body parts (as well as parts that might be exposed when moving), including the face.
Precautions for use :
These products are to be used with precaution in pregnant and nursing women, as well as in children. Only the active substance IR35/35 is recommended in pregnant women (ask your pharmacist for advice).
When using these products, the edges of the eyes, the mucous membranes and injured skin must be avoided. Do not use in the case of pre-existing allergy.
Sweating, bathing and showering, as well as certain climatic conditions (temperature >30�B0;C, wind, rain, etc.) reduce the activity of the active substances, so it is important to renew application more regularly, not to exceed 3 times per day.
The use of sunscreens may reduce the effectiveness of certain skin repellents and vice versa.
Repellents for fabrics
Repellents for fabrics are products to be applied on clothing, mosquito nets, veils, tents, etc.
They are made of active substances from the pyrethroid family. Originally, Chinese emperors slept on pyrethrum cushions to avoid being bitten by insects. Today, they have been replaced by synthetic pyrethroids that have a longer duration of action.