Choosing a mosquito repeller

Many people don't like summer because of the blood-sucking mosquitoes. These insects are especially active in natural environments with high humidity. They fly into houses, dachas and cars, and attack in nature. Mosquitoes not only bite, but can also spread various diseases that are dangerous to humans. To repel insects, many products have been created. They can be chemical, natural, electronic. The assortment is wide, which makes it difficult to choose the optimal model. Let's figure out what tools and devices manufacturers offer.

Most mosquito repellents, unlike carbon dioxide and propane exterminators, are safe for humans, but effective both indoors and outdoors. The choice of such devices is wide - from ointments and sprays to special ultrasonic devices with a long range of action. You can choose both an inexpensive solution for use in everyday life, as well as a modern portable or stationary device for lovers of outdoor activities and nature. The principle of operation of any repeller is simple: due to different mechanisms of action, the devices force mosquitoes to leave the area in the repellent coverage area.

Repellers are classified into several groups, depending on the principle of operation. Let's analyze their features, advantages and disadvantages.

These repellents contain various active chemicals that insects are afraid of. The most common ingredient is diethyltoluamide. The most popular forms of chemical repellents are sprays and aerosols. They are convenient and easy to use, and can be easily sprayed onto skin or clothing. Aerosol spraying is carried out due to the high pressure in the can, and the spray is supplied by a mechanical pump.

Such substances are oily and aqueous. The first ones create a persistent barrier for insects: it will not wash off even if a person falls under a heavy downpour. They are difficult to wash off with water, and when applied to exposed areas of the body, they form a thin film that prevents the skin from breathing. Water-based products are less effective, they evaporate faster and stop working. They do not leave stains on clothes, allow the skin to breathe, and can be easily washed off with water without soap.

Various creams and lotions are also popular. They are designed to be rubbed into the skin. Advantages of all types of chemicals:

• budgetary cost;
• prevalence - the repeller can be purchased at almost any hardware store;
• good efficiency.

Sprays, aerosols, creams and lotions with chemical repellent cannot be called absolutely harmless products for human health.

On sale you can find natural sprays, ointments, lotions and other products based on a repellent of natural origin. These can be plant extracts with an odor unpleasant for insects. Natural remedies are affordable, they are safe for human health (with the exception of individual intolerance to the components that make up the composition), they can be used by adults, children, pregnant and lactating women.The disadvantages include poor efficiency and rapid "weathering".

The safest way for humans and nature to scare off blood-sucking insects from a home is to plant plants with a strong odor around the perimeter. It can be basil, peppermint, lavender, lemon balm, catnip, medicinal sage. Plants can be planted under windows to keep insects out of the house. Their smell scares away mosquitoes, and they will not come close here by 1.5-2 meters.

Devices are classified into 3 types. Consider the features of each of them.

These devices affect the nervous system of insects and rodents. They operate at a low frequency, which creates an unfavorable atmosphere for mosquitoes in the range of their action. Different models of electromagnetic scarers have different coverage areas. The waves emitted by the device are able to penetrate everywhere and act even in hard-to-reach places.

Mosquitoes often do not perceive the effect of devices immediately, but only after 1-2 days. During the operation of the device, pests begin to feel panic and fear, which cause magnetic resonance impulses, and leave the area of ​​action.

They have the following advantages:

• safety for people, since they do not contain and do not emit chemical components hazardous to health during work;
• the possibility of continuous work;
• versatility - scarers can be used to affect flying and crawling insects, rodents;
• large radius of action.

Electromagnetic scarers do not affect the performance of electronics and household appliances. However, they can negatively affect the health of domestic rodents - this must be taken into account if the house contains mice, rats, hamsters and other pets.

Sonic deterrent devices emit short waves with a frequency in excess of 20,000 Hz. Such a sound is not audible to a person, but it negatively affects the nervous system of pests, which is why they leave the room.

Benefits of ultrasonic devices:

• safety for human health;
• silent work;
• the possibility of continuous operation;
• safety for pets (exception - rodents).

Ultrasonic devices have significant disadvantages. For example, equipment is effective only within 1 room. The sound does not pass through the walls, so you will have to buy a separate device for each room.

Ultrasonic infrared devices can be ineffective in areas where there are many textiles or paper items. For example, upholstered furniture is capable of absorbing ultrasound, due to which the effectiveness of the equipment can be reduced.

Combined repellents combine 2 types of emitters: magnetic and ultrasonic. These devices are versatile and can be used in almost any room. All the advantages and disadvantages of ultrasonic and magnetic resonance models are inherent in the combined devices. They are safe for the health of the household and do not cause allergic reactions.

Manufacturers offer a wide range of electric repellents. They are of the following types.

• Wired. These stationary devices operate on a 220 V electrical network.

• Portable handheld models, which are powered by a solar battery, ordinary little finger or finger batteries, a battery.

• Combined. For example, such mosquito control devices can operate on batteries and on a 220 V electrical network.

To make the choice of a deterrent device easier, we present an overview of several popular models.

• EcoSniper LS-216. Pocket ultrasonic insect repeller. The coverage area is up to 12 m2, the device emits low frequencies in the range from 5 to 7 kHz. The device is mobile and runs on batteries. It can be fixed on the belt - a special fastener is provided for this.

• Electronic Pest Repeller. A powerful and compact combined device that combines ultrasonic and magnetic resonance radiation. The coverage area is up to 200 sq. M. The device operates from the mains, is designed for temperatures from -30 to +40 degrees, so it can be used both indoors and outdoors.

• Ecosniper ML-338R. Compact device in the form of a key fob with a range of 3 m2. Its body is made of heavy-duty plastic. Battery powered, weighs only 40g.

• “Tornado OK. 01 ". An ultrasonic domestic insect repeller, which can operate both from an electrical network and from 3 AA batteries. The frequency range is from 4000 to 40,000 Hz, and the maximum impact area is up to 50 m2. Thanks to the power regulator, you can independently set the optimal value of the pulse frequency.

• Protektor Freetime (Hong Kong). A device that visually looks like a wrist bracelet. For more convenient operation, the device is equipped with an LED indicator and a special fastener, thanks to which the repellent can be fixed on clothes.

First of all, it is worth deciding on the type of repeller. If you are planning to purchase an electronic repellent, you can look at the combined models with 2 types of emitters, since they are more effective. There are several important parameters to consider.

1. Impact radius. Each model has certain technical characteristics. One of the main ones is the maximum possible distance over which sound or magnetic resonance waves propagate. The indicator depends on what area the repeller can cover.
2. Power supply. Most of the models on the market operate on a 220V network. You can choose a mobile version, which requires batteries to function. More expensive but functional devices are combined.
3. Power indicators. A weakly powered device will work slowly: such devices are not very efficient.
4. Environmental requirements. There are models that can only be operated at positive temperatures: they will not work in the cold. You need to pay attention to this parameter when choosing a device for outdoor use.
5. Dimensions. There are both small portable devices and more expensive solutions with multiple generators on the market.
6. Indicator lights. They show in which mode the device is operating. Thanks to the backlight, the user can see whether the device is active or not. The function makes it easier to use, since the repellents do not emit sound signals.

For home use, stationary models that operate on the mains are preferable - they are convenient to use, since the consumer does not have to monitor the charge level of the battery or batteries. For a small apartment, a device with a range of 15 to 30 m2 is enough. Household combined models with two different-frequency emitters are preferred. They act on all types of blood-sucking insects, forcing them to leave the protected space.

To protect your garden area from mosquitoes, it is recommended that you take comprehensive measures.For example, make small beds around the perimeter of the house and on the site and plant herbs, the aroma of which will scare off blood-sucking insects. To scare away mosquitoes and midges on the street, you can pick up powerful industrial devices for large areas with a radius of 60 m2 or more.

The best scarer in a car is a small device with a range of 5-10 m2. Car devices must be mobile, compact, and reliable. The miniature device is universal: it can be used not only in the car, but also when walking around the city. The best solution would be to choose a magnetic resonance or combined device. The purchase of an ultrasonic emitter must be abandoned, since such devices will not scare away insects when the windows and doors of the car are closed.

In nature, in the natural environment, there are much more insects than in the city, so hunters and fishermen need to provide comprehensive protection against blood-sucking mosquitoes and midges. The camping repeller must be compact and durable. It is advisable to give preference to sound or magnetic resonance devices with a range of up to 10 m2. You can also choose a combination repellent, but it will cost more. For outdoor use, models that work from a solar battery and from a rechargeable power source are optimal. For the device to serve for a long time, you need to choose a device with a metal case. In the event of a fall or impact, it will reliably protect the "stuffing" of the repeller.

To provide maximum protection against mosquito bites, you can additionally use biological or chemical means of protection: sprays, aerosols, ointments. Most of them protect for about 2-3 hours, after which the effectiveness is noticeably weakened. Means based on diethyltoluamide cannot be used more often than written in the instructions: when applied, the poison penetrates the skin, and its excessive amount can negatively affect human health.