Natural Sources Mosquito Repellents.

A Community Health

How to Control Mosquito

Part 6: Natural source of Mosquito Repellents.

Thousands of plants have been tested as potential sources of insect repellents. None of the plant-derived chemicals tested to date demonstrate the broad effectiveness and duration of DEET, but a few show repellent activity. Plants whose essential oils have been reported to have repellent activity include citronella, cedar, verbena, pennyroyal, geranium, lavender, pine, cajuput, cinnamon, rosemary, basil, thyme, allspice, garlic, and peppermint. Unlike synthetic insect repellents, plant-derived repellents have been relatively poorly studied. When tested, most of these essential oils tended to give short-lasting protection, usually less than 2 hours. Readily available plant-derived insect repellents are listed in.
On the Contrary: if someone consumes bananas, the mosquitoes like to bite. Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitoes will be much less interested.

Mosquito Repellents from natural sources :
There are many naturally occurring pesticides / insecticides which can be used as a mosquito repellent, and some of these are:
Achillea alpina, alpha-terpinene, carvacol, Castor Oil, Catnip Oil, Cedar Oil, Celery Extract, Citronella Oil, Clove Oil, Eucalyptus Oil (Cineole), Cajuput Oil (Cineole), Fenel Oil, Garlic, Leongrass Oil, Geranium Oil, Lemon eucalyptus (p-methane-3,8-diol), Nee Oil, Peppermint Oil, Pennyroyal, Rosemary, Tea Tree Oil, Thyme.

Plant derived Repellents :

Lemon Eucalyptus Oil:
Lemon Eucalyptus Oil contains p-menthane, 3,8-diol / PMD, was the best non-DEET mosquito repellent, although the people criticized its odor. Lemon eucalyptus plant extract is registered in Canada for use as an insect repellent. It may protect from mosquitoes’ bites for up to two hours, but is not recommended for use on children under the age of three. Lemon Eucalyptus Oil / PMD-based repellents show low toxicity, but care must be taken to keep them out of the eyes because PMD can cause significant eye irritation.
Comparison : Lemon Eucalyptus Repellent provided 120.1 minutes of mosquito protection, more than a repellent with a low concentration of the chemical DEET, 4.75% DEET provided 88.4 minutes of protection and 23.8% DEET provided 301.5 minutes of protection.

Citronella :
Citronella is registered with the EPA (The United States Environment Protection Agency) as an insect repellent since 1948, considers as a non toxic biopesticide, has been verified by research, including effectiveness in repelling Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito).
Citronella oil has a lemony scent and was originally extracted from the grass plant Cymbopogon nardus, originally extracted from the leaves and stems of different species of Cymbopogon, the oil is used extensively as a source of perfumery chemicals such as citronellal, citronellal and geraniol. These chemicals find extensive use in soap, perfumery, cosmetic and flavouring industries throughout the world.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that citronella oil has little or no toxicity when used as a topical insect repellent, with no reports of adverse effects of concern over a 60 year period. Because some products are applied to human skin, EPA requires proper precautionary labeling to help assure safe use, because citronella may irritate skin and cause dermatitis in certain individuals. If used according to label instructions in the US, citronella is not expected to pose health risks to people, including children and other sensitive populations. The US Food & Drug Administration consider citronella oil as generally recognized as safe (GRAS).

Studies show that citronella can be an effective repellent, but it provides shorter complete protection time than most DEET-based products, to be continually effective, frequent reapplication of the repellent to the skin every 30-60 minutes should be done. Citronella oil also shows has strong antifungal properties, and research indicates that citronella oil is an effective repellent for body louse and head louse, Citronella may irritate skin and cause dermatitis in certain individuals. It should not be used on the skin of young children (under 3 years old).

Citronella oil is classified in trade into two chemotypes:
1. Ceylon type: obtained from Cymbopogon nardus Rendle, consists of citronellal (5-15%), geraniol (18-20%), limonene (9-11%), methyl isoeugenol (7-11%), citronellol (6-8%). In Europe, Ceylon type citronella oil is placed on the category 3 list, with some safety concern regarding methyl isoeugenol.
2. Java type: obtained from Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt, consists of citronellal (32-45%), geraniol (11-13%), limonene (1-4%), geranyl acetate (3-8%). The higher proportions of geraniol and citronellal in the Java type make it a better source for perfumery derivatives.

Note : Citronella oil from Cymbopogon species should not be confused with other similar lemony oils from Corymbia citriodora and Pelargonium citrosum.
1. Citronella soap is a product that started in the Bahamas and Belize. The soaps are made with olive oil for moisture and great lather, Aloe Vera to soothe the skin, and citronella oil to repel mosquitoes. For high intensity protection you can burn citronella incense. Mosquitoes avoid citronella and they hate the smoke.
2. Citronella essential oil (Java Citronella) is considered to be the highest quality citronella on the market. The best quality is steam distilled from the grass giving it a fresh, sweet woody aroma. It blends well with geranium, cedar wood and other citrus oils. It is 100 percent pure essential oil, no additives, no dilutants, no adulteration, just safe mosquito repellent.

Citronella Candles :
A well-known natural mosquito repellent, effective in protecting from mosquitoes’ bites at concentration of 3% citronella oil in candles, human beeings who are positioned near a citronella candles had 42.3% less bites, citronella candles shouldn't be used as a stand-alone repellent, they may help in combination with topical repellents.

Neem oil :
Neem oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the fruits and seeds of tropical Neem tree (Azadirachta indica), an evergreen tree which is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and has been introduced to many other areas in the tropics.
Neem oil is generally light to dark brown, bitter and has a rather strong odor that is said to combine the odors of peanut and garlic. It comprises mainly triglycerides and large amounts of triterpenoid compounds, which are responsible for the bitter taste.
Neem oil also contains steroids: campesterol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol and a triterpenoids of which Azadirachtin is the most well known, it has insecticidal properties, the Azadirachtin content of neem oil varies from 300 ppm to over 2500 ppm depending on the extraction technology and quality of the neem seeds crushed.

Geranium oil :
Mix: 20 drops Eucalyptus oil
20 drops Cedarwood oil
10 drops Tea Tree oil
10 drops Geranium oil
2 oz. Jojoba oil as carrier oil.
Apply to skin as needed avoiding the eye area.
Another product: Bite Blocker, available as a spray or lotion, contains the oils of Geranium oil, Soybean oil and Coconut oil, 30 minutes of complete protection from mosquito bites.

Fenel Oil :
An aerosol spray mosquito repellent containing 5% fennel oil was 84% effective after 90 minutes,
A repellent cream with 8% fennel oil was 70% effective after 90 minutes.

Thyme Oil :
Thyme oil contains carvacrol and alpha-terpinene, found to have significantly greater repellency than a commercial DEET repellent, but don't try to make a thyme oil repellent at home, because it is too irritating and strong-smelling to be used at effective concentrations of above 25%.

Clove oil :
Undiluted topical Clove oil is active against mosquitoes, but same like thyme oil, clove oil should not be applied undiluted to skin as a homemade repellent.

Soybean oil :
Soybean oil two per cent can keep human beings from mosquito bites from one to four hours, It has low toxicity, non-irritating. Consequently, it may also be considered as an alternative to DEET.

Garlic :
Another popular theory is that ingesting garlic can provide protection against mosquitoes.


Celery extract :
Celery extract actives against a wide range of mosquito species comparable to a 25% DEET formula, and Celery extract did not irritate the skin or cause a burning sensation

Catnip:
Catnip or Nepeta cataria is a perennial herb belonging to the mint family and grows wild in most parts of the United States, although it also is cultivated for commercial use. Catnip is native to Europe and was introduced to this country in the late 18th century. It is primarily known for the stimulating effect it has on cats, although some people use the leaves in tea, as a meat tenderizer and even as a folk treatment for fevers, colds, cramps and migraines.

Catnip contains Nepetalactone, a bicyclic terpenoid, isolated by steam distillation, Nepetalactone is the essential oil component in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odor, repels mosquitoes 10 times more effectively than DEET (Diethyl-m-toluamide), Nepetalactone is the compound used in most commercial insect repellents. Catnip works against all types of mosquitoes, Nepetalactone is safe for people.
Why catnip repels mosquitoes is still a mystery, it might simply be acting as an irritant or the mosquitoes don’t like the smell.

Vitamin B-1:
Vitamin B1 is often taken to help repel mosquitoes, takes one 100 mg of Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine Hydrochloride) tablet a day. The odor of the tablet comes out through body skin, repels the mosquitoes.

Picaridine / Icaridin / Bayrepel :

Picaridine or hydroxyethyl isobutyl piperidine carboxylate is derives from Pepper, a synthetic chemical compound, picaridine is nearly odorless, does not cause skin irritation, it has been registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which means that the materials have been reviewed and approved for effectiveness and human safety, and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for mosquitoes that may carry the West Nile virus.

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A Community Health

How to Control Mosquito

Part 5: Mosquito (insect) Repellent

How to seek safe and effective ways of preventing mosquito bites

The best way to reduce mosquito-borne diseases is through mosquito control and personal protection. We can do a few things to reduce the number of mosquito bites that we get while enjoying the outdoors. Firstly, wear clothing that covers most of your body, secondly, use a mosquito repellent, beside mosquito repellents and clothing, we can try to control the mosquito population, mosquitoes need water to breed and will use any source of standing water.

An insect repellent or a mosquito repellent is a substance applied to skin, clothing, or other surfaces which discourages insects (and arthropods in general) from landing or climbing on that surface. It has been estimated that 300 to 400 compounds are released from the body as by-products of metabolism and that more than 100 volatile compounds can be detected in human breath. Carbon dioxide and lactic acid are the two best-studied mosquito attractants, carbon dioxide, released mainly from breath but also from skin, serves as a long-range airborne attractant and can be detected by mosquitoes at distances of up to 36 meters. Lactic acid, in combination with carbon dioxide, is also an attractant. Mosquitoes have chemo-receptors on their antennae that are stimulated by lactic acid. Usually insect repellents work by masking human scent, or by using a scent which insects naturally avoid. Permethrin is different in that it is actually a contact insecticide.

Insect repellents help prevent and control the outbreak of insect-borne diseases such as malaria, Lyme disease, Dengue fever, bubonic plague, and West Nile fever. Pest animals commonly serving as vectors for disease include the insects flea, fly, and mosquito; and the arachnid tick.

Female mosquitoes bite people and animals because they need the protein found in blood to help develop their eggs. Mosquitoes are attracted to people by skin odors and carbon dioxide from breath. The active ingredients in repellents make the person unattractive for feeding. Repellents do not kill mosquitoes. Repellents are effective only at short distances from the treated surface, so we may still see mosquitoes flying nearby.

To be effective, a repellent must show an optimal degree of volatility, making it possible for an effective repellent vapor concentration to be maintained at the skin surface without evaporating so quickly that it loses its effectiveness. Many factors play a role in how effective any repellent is, including the frequency and uniformity of application, the number and species of the organisms attempting to bite, the user's inherent attractiveness to blood-sucking arthropods, and the overall activity level of the potential host. Abrasion from clothing, evaporation and absorption from the skin surface, wash-off from sweat or rain, higher temperatures, or a windy environment all decrease repellent effectiveness. Each 10°C increase in temperature can lead to as much as a 50% reduction in protection time. The repellents currently available must be applied to all exposed areas of skin; unprotected skin a few centimeters away from a treated area can be attacked by hungry mosquitoes

Synthetic repellents tend to be more effective and longer lasting than 'natural' repellents, However, some plant-based repellents are comparable to, or somewhat better than synthetics - depending on the formula, Essential oil repellents can be short-lived in their effectiveness, since essential oils can evaporate completely.

A test of various insect repellents by an independent consumer organization found that repellents containing DEET or picaridin are more effective than repellents with 'natural' active ingredients. All the synthetics gave almost 100% repellency for the first 2 hours, where the natural repellent products were most effective for the first 30-60 minutes, and required reapplication to be effective over several hours. However, some products in the market like essential oil candle and natural herb mosquito coil can give protection to an entire room up to 8 hours.

For protection against mosquitos, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control issued a statement in May 2008 recommending equally DEET at a concentration of 7.5 percent to 100 percent, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus and IR3535 for skin. Lower DEET concentrations are sufficient for most outdoor protection, and a 15-percent concentration is recommended for children. Permethrin is recommended for clothing, gear, or bed nets. When DEET-based repellents are applied in combination with permethrin-treated clothing, protection against bites of nearly 100% can be achieved.

Common insect repellents :

[1] Chemical compounds:

1. DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), inhibit the mosquito’s chemo-receptor.

DEET / N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide

N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide, or N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) is the most effective, remains the gold standard of currently available insect repellents. This substance was discovered and developed by scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was patented by the U.S. Army in 1946. It was subsequently registered for use by the general public in 1957. It is a broad-spectrum repellent that is effective against mosquitoes, biting flies, chiggers, fleas, and ticks. Twenty years of empirical testing of more than 20 000 other compounds has not resulted in another marketed chemical product with the duration of protection and broad-spectrum effectiveness of DEET. This substance has a remarkable safety profile after 40 years used by millions of people worldwide, but toxic reactions can occur, someone cannot use DEET as a mosquito repellent due to skin irritation or to its potential to damage things like plastic, more than 30 studies were conducted to assess acute, chronic, and subchronic toxicity; mutagenicity; oncogenicity; and developmental, reproductive, and neurologic toxicity The results of these studies did not require any change to the product to comply with EPA safety standards, nor did they indicate any new toxicities with normal use. Studies of high doses of DEET orally administered to mice and rats did not reveal any potential in humans for teratogenicity or oncogenicity.

DEET is an effective active ingredient found in many repellent products and in a variety of formulations, including solutions, lotions, creams, gels, aerosol and pump sprays, and impregnated towelettes, in 5% to 100% concentrations.

• A product containing 23.8% DEET provided an average of 5 hours of protection from mosquito bites.
• A product containing 20% DEET provided almost 4 hours of protection
• A product with 6.65% DEET provided almost 2 hours of protection
• Products with 4.75% DEET were both able to provide roughly 1 and a half hour of protection.

Autan of SC Johnson contains 12,50% DEET

Soffell contains 13,00% DEET

2. Permethrin : an effective pesticide, is for use on clothing only, never apply it to our skin, it is a neurotoxin !
3. Picaridin, also known as Icaridin/ Bayrepel / KBR 3023, derives from pepper. Picaridin is derived from pepper and has been approved for use in the US since 2005. It is available in some versions of Avon® Skin So Soft lotions, and sold as Cutter Advanced Insect Repellent too. Though this mosquito repellent is not quite as effective as DEET, it can be used on infants two months or older, and it has a smell that many people find pleasant or at least less off-putting than DEET. Some claim picaridin is just as effective as DEET, but these claims are difficult to prove because both chemicals can be used at different concentration levels.
4. Vitamin B-1 (Thiamin) : Some studies suggest that taking thiamine (vitamin B1) 25 mg to 50 mg three times per day is effective in reducing mosquito bites. This safe vitamin apparently produces a skin odor that is not detectable by humans, but is disagreeable to pregnant mosquitoes, It seems to be especially effective for those people with large allergic reactions. Thiamine takes about 2 weeks before the odor fully saturates the skin. Vitamin B1. Consistant anecdotal evidence suggests that mozzies hate the smell of this vitamin.

[2] Essential Oils:

1. Essential oil of the lemon eucalyptus and its active ingredient p-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), Plant-based repellents are generally less effective than DEET-based products, but CDC found oil of lemon eucalyptus to be more effective than other plant-based treatments, product containing 40% oil of lemon eucalyptus was just as effective as products containing high concentrations of DEET.
2. Citronella oil : effectiveness in repelling Aedes aegypti, but requires reapplication after 30-60 minutes.
3. Catnip Oil / Nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odor, is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET
4. Neem oil : is mosquito repellent for up to 12 hours.

Electronic Repellent :

Electronic repellents utilize one to two sound frequencies (ultrasound / inaudibly high frequency sounds) to simulate dragonflies and other male mosquitoes, creating a competitive environment for the blood-sucking female, these devices come in a compact unit that we can take anywhere for protection. Some units even have a built-in red flashlight for nighttime use.

Electric Mosquito Repellent :

A most effective way to keep a room free of mosquitoes and other small pests all night long by heat, releases natural Pyrethrins smokeless into the air, killing mosquitoes in the room, repelling those outside. Using a chip in an electrical mosquito vaporizer, contains upto 0,5% volatile natural pyrethrins to kill and repel mosquitoes.

Mosquito Coils :

To kill & repel Mosquito

Burning mosquito coils indoors generates smoke that can control mosquitoes effectively, the smoke due to emission of fine particles (particulate) may contain pollutants of health concern that exceed health-based air quality standards, they contain many volatile organic compounds (VOC), like formaldehyde, including carcinogens and suspected carcinogens, in the smoke of mosquito coils, the particles pollutants are fine and ultrafine.

Ingredient of Mosquito Coils :

1. Pyrethroid / Synthetic Pyrethrins : Contain : 0,1% - 0.3% Alletrin, D-Alletrin, D-trans Allethrin, bio-Allethrin and esbio-Allethrin,

and fragrances of perfumes: popular flower fragrances such as Lavender, Sandalwood.

2. Pyrethrum flower : Environment-friendly (Eco-friendly) Mosquito Coils :Contain : 0,2% - 0,5% Natural dried pulverized Pyrethrum flowers.
3. Combination of natural Pyrethris and synthetic PyrethroidsContain : 0,2% natural Pyrethrins + 0,1% synthetic pyrethroid D-Allethrin.

How safe are mosquito coils?

The growing menace of mosquitoes has forced people to turn to mosquito repellents in the form of body lotions, creams, coils and mats. For many families burning Mosquito Coils are a daily ritual. Mosquito Coils which use synthetic pyrethroids like Allethrin are effective in controlling the mosquitoes’ bites, the fumes emitted by the Coils are toxic for mosquitoes but safe for human beings.

The proper use of Mosquito Coils, burning at temperature of about 80° C, the smoke from the Coils prevent the mosquitoes from entering the room, while those mosquitoes already inside the room are expelled or knocked down and killed, the chemicals used in these Mosquito repellents are nerve poison. they affect the nervous systems of mosquitoes.

Prolonged use of Mosquito Coils are harmful for several organs in the human body, they can lead to corneal damage, shortness of breath, asthma and even damage the liver in the long run, affect male as well as female fertility. Allethrin affects human beings adversely, but very slowly , and the effect depends upon the weight of the person. There is no danger for heavy persons but light weight children may be affected.

Don’t use Moquito Coils eveyday, use only in a limited of time,

best use 2 hours before sleeping !

Related Articles:

Studying mosquito life cycle to best control of them.

Can we paralyze the mosquito battery sensors?

Do Insecticides & Pesticides no harm to human beings?

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Natural Sources Mosquito Repellents.

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A Community Health

How to Control Mosquitoes

Part 4: Pyrethroids Insecticides

Chrysanthemum flowers

The flower of Pyrethrums from the plants Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium and C. coccineum, familia Asteraceae, produce natural chemical pyrethrins,
pyrethrins are contained in the seed cases, which is grown commercially to supply the insecticide, pyrethrins are a pair of natural organic compounds that have potent insecticidal activity. pyrethrin I and pyrethrin II, the chemical structure of pyrethrins is the basis for a variety of synthetic insecticides called pyrethroids.

Pyrethrin I

Pyrethrin II

Pyrethrins are neurotoxins that attack the nervous systems of all insects. when present in amounts not fatal to insects, they still appear to have an insect repellent effect, pyrethrins are harmful to fish, birds, and mammals, including human beings. In human beings, pyrethrin irritates the eyes, skin, and respiratory systems, and it may cause other harmful effects.
pyrethrins are gradually replacing organophosphates and organochlorides as the pesticide of first choice.

Pyrethroids : Synthetic Pyrethrins

Pyrethroids are synthetic chemical compounds similar to the natural chemical pyrethrins, pyrethroid chrysanthemic acid is produced industrially in a cyclopropanation reaction of a diene as a mixture of cis- and trans isomers followed by hydrolysis of the ester, they are common in commercial products such as household insecticides and insect repellents, in the concentrations used in such products, they are generally harmless to human beings but can harm sensitive individuals. They are usually broken apart by sunlight and the atmosphere in one or two days, and do not significantly affect groundwater quality except for being toxic to fish.

Pyrethroids are axonic poisons (see Note*) that work by keeping the sodium channels open in the neuronal membranes of insects, the sodium channel is a small hole through which sodium ions are permitted to enter the axon and cause excitation. as the nerves cannot de-excite, the insect is paralyzed.
pyrethroids are usually combined with piperonyl butoxide, a known inhibitor of key microsomal oxidase enzymes, this prevents these enzymes from clearing the pyrethroid from the body of the insect, and assures the pyrethroid will be lethal and not merely a paralyzing agent. Insects with certain mutations in their sodium channel gene may be resistant to pyrethroid insecticides.

(Note*) Insecticides are neurotoxin, attack the nervous system of insects. There are two main parts of the nervous system: the nerve fibers, called axons, which carry small electrical impulses, and the synapse, the microscopic gap between nerve fibers (axons), because each nerve fiber ends at a synapse, the nerve impulse must be carried across the synapse chemically. The pesticides that attack the synapse are called synaptic poisons, and that attack the nerve fiber (axon) itself are called axonic poisons.

Allethrin

Cyfluthrin

Transflutrin

Commercial Pyrethroid Insecticides / Repellants

[1] Allethrins, [2] Bifenthrin, [3] Cyfluthrin, [4] Cypermethrin, [5] Deltamethrin, [6] Permethrin, [7] Prallethrin, [8] Rasmethrin, [9] Phenothrin or Sumithrin, [10] Tetramethrin, [11] Tralomethrin, [12] Transflutrin, [13] Imiprothrin.

[1] Allethrins are a pair of related synthetic compounds used in insecticides, they are first synthetic pyrethroids, synthetic forms of a chemical found naturally in the chrysanthemum flower.

[2] Bifenthrin a 4th generation pyrethroid, is insoluble in water, has high persistence in soil (half life = 7 days - 8 months), it is the longest residual termiticide currently registered on the market.

[4] Cypermethrin is fast-acting neurotoxin in insects, easily degraded on soil and plants but can be effective for weeks when applied to indoor inert surfaces, exposure to sunlight, water and oxygen will accelerate its decomposition.

[5] Deltamethrin is one of the safest classes of pesticides: synthetic pyrethroids, the most popular and widely used insecticides in the world and have become very popular with pest control operators and individuals in the United States in the past five years, mammalian exposure to deltamethrin is classified as safe, this pesticide is highly toxic to aquatic life, particularly fish, and therefore must be used with extreme caution around water. Deltamethrin is also one of the primary ingredients in ant chalk.

[6] Permethrin does not repel insects but works as a contact insecticide, causing nervous system toxicity that leads to the death or "knockdown" (out of the air) of the insect. effective against mosquitoes, flies, ticks, and chiggers, permethrin has low toxicity in mammals, is poorly absorbed by the skin, and is rapidly inactivated by ester hydrolysis. Permethrin should be applied directly to clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear or other fabrics not to skin, permethrin-treated clothing repels and kills ticks, mites, mosquitoes, and other arthropods and retains this effect after repeated laundering, the spray form is nonstaining, nearly odorless, and resistant to degradation by heat or sun (long-lasting repellent) and maintains its potency for at least 2 weeks. Combination of permethrin-treated clothing and skin application of a DEET-based repellent creates a formidable barrier against mosquito bites.

[8] Resmethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide with many uses, including control of the adult mosquito population.

[9] Phenothrin, also called sumithrin, is a synthetic pyrethroid that kills adult fleas and ticks, it has also been used to kill head lice in humans. phenothrin is often used with methoprene, an insect growth regulator that interrupts the insect's biological life cycle by killing the eggs.

[11] Tralomethrin has potent insecticidal properties; it kills by modifying the gating kinetics of the sodium channels in neurons, increasing the length of time the channel remains open after a stimulus, thereby depolarizing the neuron for a longer period of time, this leads to uncontrolled spasming, paralysis, and eventual death.

[12] Transfluthrin can be used in the indoor environment against flies, mosquitoes and cockroaches, it is a relatively volatile substance and acts as a contact and inhalation agent.

Examples :
((1)). Baygon indoor Insecticide, to kill: mosquitos Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, flies Musca domestica, and cockroaches: Blatella germanica, contains: [13] Imipothrin 0,05%, [4] Cypermethrin 0,10%, [12] Transfluthrin 0,06%.
((2)). Baygon indoor Insecticide, to kill: mosquitos Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, and flies Musca domestica, contains: [6] Permethrin 0,10%, [7] Prallethrin 0,04%, [12] Transfluthrin 0,04%.
((3)). Raid Max indoor Insecticide, to kill: mosquitoes, flies, and roaches, contains: [3] Cyfluthrin 0,06%, [12] Transfluthrin 0,06%.
Raid is the brand name of a line of insecticides produced by SC Johnson, first launched in 1956, the initial active ingredient was the first synthetic pyrethroid, Alethrin.

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Part 3: Larvacides, Pesticides, Insecticides

[A] Control the Mosquitoes in their early life cycle in the water

with Larvicides

All mosquitoes need water to breed,

So destroy completely the Larvae and mosquito-population-control efforts usually involve

draining, removing, closing and treating of the standing water sources.

USING :

Larvacides

Larvacide are insecticides that are specifically targeted against the larvae /

larval life stage of insects. Their most common use is against mosquitoes. Larvacides may be contact poisons, stomach poisons, growth regulators, or biological control agents. There are two kind of Larvacides:

1. Biological agents / Bacterial larvacides :
• Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), Bti. (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), and Bacillus sphaericus. both are naturally occur soil bacteria registered as larvicides, distributed on the surface of stagnant water locations. When the mosquito larvae ingest the bacteria, crystallized toxins are produced which destroy the digestion tract, resulting in death. These larvacides will last only a few weeks in water and cause no danger to humans, non-targeted animal species, or the environment when used according to directions.
• Methoprene (Altosid): is another biological agent that interrupts the growth cycle of insect larvae, preventing them from development beyond the pupa stage, usually applied to larger bodies of water in the form of time-release briquettes which can last from one to five months.

Metoprene

isopropyl (E,E)-(RS)-11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4-dienoate.

Methoprene interferes with the normal life cycle of an insect by mimicking an insect growth hormone, it prevents the development of adult mosquitoes from larvae. It is effective against several types of mosquitoes, including the Culex species, the common household mosquito, which is most commonly associated with West Nile Virus. Methoprene is applied early in the mosquito breeding season to wet areas where mosquitoes live and lay eggs, such as storm water and drainage systems, granulated or briquette or pellet forms of methoprene are placed in these areas, where they slowly release larvicide for 30 days. A methoprene briquette could also be used which slowly releases larvicide for 90 days. Use of this larvicide does not cause an unreasonable health risks to human beings or other wildlife and it will not leach into the ground water supply. There is a small acute and chronic risk to some fish and freshwater invertebrate species.

2. Chemical agents / Organophosphate larvacides :
• Abate or Temephos is an organophosphate which prevents mosquito larvae from developing resistance to bacterial larvicides. Due to the small amount needed and the fast rate that temephos breaks down in water, this type of larvicide does not cause an unreasonable health risk to human beings, but at large doses it can cause nausea or dizziness, there is not a large risk to terrestrial species, but there is a toxic concern for non-targeted aquatic species. Therefore, temephos should be limited only to sites where less hazardous larvicides are ineffective and with intervals between applications.

Abate / Temephos

[B] Control the Mosquitoes in their adult life cycle on the Land and in the Air

with Pesticides & Insecticides

Pesticides are substances or mixture of substances used to kill pests (harmful organisms), they may be chemical substances, or biological agents.

Pesticides include algaecides, avicides, bactericides, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, miticides, molluscides, nematicides, rodenticides, virucides.

Insecticides are pesticides used against insects in all developmental forms, they include ovicides used against the eggs and larvicides used against the larvae of insects. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and the household, all insecticides have the potential to significantly alter ecosystems; many are toxic to human beings, and others are concentrated in the food chain.

Classification of Insecticides:

1. Organochlorine compounds: DDT / Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane is one of the best known synthetic pesticides.
2. Organophosphates: Dichlorphos, Chlorpyrifos is a toxic crystalline organophosphate insecticide, Malathion, a relatively low-human toxicity insecticide.

Dichlorphos, Chlorpyrifos usually used as aerosol spray insecticides, Malathion usually used for fogging an area to kill all mosquitoes.

3. Carbamates: or urethanes, are a group of organic compounds sharing a common functional group with the general structure -NH(CO)O-. carbamates are esters of carbamic acid (NH₂COOH). Propoxur is a carbamate derivative which is used as an mosquito insecticide.
4. Pyrethroids: synthetic pyrethrins: Allethrin, permethrin, Transfluthrin etc. (See Part 4).
5. Neonicotinoids: are synthetic analogues of the natural insecticide nicotine with a much lower acute mammalian toxicity and greater field persistence, systemic insecticides with a rapid action, often as substitutes for organophosphates and carbamates.
6. Biological insecticides: Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterial disease of Lepidopterans and some other insects. it is used as a larvicide against a wide variety of caterpillars, it has little effect on other organisms, it is considered more environmentally friendly than synthetic pesticides.

Mosquito Fogging

What is a Fog ?

A fog is a suspension of small liquid droplets in gas / air characterized by its doplet size distribution,However, people tend to describe

There are many terms of fogs as dry fog (10-15 micron volume mean diameter), wet fog (20-30 micron), mist (30-60 micron), fine spray (above 60 micron), etc.

This insecticide fog is a heavy oil based formula designed for use in thermal foggers that can deliver spray particle sizes within the aerosol size range. This fogging insecticide is a synthetic pyrethroid formula and is ideal for outdoor applications as well as indoors.

Active Ingredients : synthetic pyrethroid such as Rasmethrin, organophosphate insecticide such as Malathion, Piperonyl butoxide.

Base Ingredients : Petroleum Destillates, light Paraffin, light Naphthenic, Gasoline.

Harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through skin. Avoid breathing vapors or spray mist. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid direct exposure to fog.

Wash contaminated clothing prior to reuse. Do not contaminate food or feed. In food processing

This formula is combustible. Keep container sealed. Do not use, pour, spill or store near heat or open flame. IF SWALLOWED: Call a physician or Poison Control Center immediately. Gastric lavage is indicated if material is taken internally. Do not induce vomiting as this may cause aspiration pneumonia. IF INHALED: Apply artificial respiration if required. FOR SKIN: Remove contaminated clothing and wash affected areas with soap and water. FOR EYES: Flush eyes with plenty of water. Get medical attention if irritation persists.

Active Ingredients : Resmethrin: 0.20% Inert Ingredients : (Contains Petroleum Distillates ) 99.80% USDA: F1 Color: Colorless

Malathion

Malathion is an organophosphate parasympathomimetic which binds irreversibly to cholinesterase. Malathion is an insecticide of relatively low human toxicity.

Malathion is a pesticide that is widely used in agriculture, residential landscaping, public recreation areas, and in public health pest control programs such as mosquito eradication, used in conjunction with diesel fuel to fog an area where there is an infestation of mosquitoes. In the US, it is the most commonly used organophosphate insecticide.

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