Ever
since the first large outbreak of Zika in 2007, more and more people have been
focused on gearing up to combat disease carrying insects, especially
mosquitos. All the preparing is done
with good reason: on February 1st, 2016, the World Health Organization declared
the Zika virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This
definitely raises the question of how to avoid the virus’ carrier, the
mosquito. Fortunately, there are multiple effective answers.
Probably
the easiest way to incorporate prevention into everyday life is wearing clothes
with a built-in insect shield. One popular brand, White Sierra, carries an
entire collection with integrated Insect Shield technology. The line is
complete with everything from shirts to pullovers to hats and accessories,
making it a simple, stylish solution. One of the best aspects of this
technology is being completely odorless and invisible. It’s durable, too,
lasting through 70 washes. Insect Shield technology utilizes another important
tool to combat insects: Permethrin.
Permethrin
is a synthetic chemical that acts like natural extracts from the chrysanthemum
flower. In addition to being woven into fabrics, it can also be used directly
on clothing and gear you already own.
Sawyer has a Permethrin insect repellent that kills ticks, mosquitos, chiggers,
mites, and 55 other insects. However, this repellent only lasts 6 weeks or 6
washings, making it a slightly less economical option. However, it is very good
for treating items you already own. It can also be used on your tent, where its
full potency lasts for a whopping 40 days of direct sunlight. It is very important to note that
Permethrin is not safe to use on skin, and it consumers should follow
manufacturer’s directions regarding drying times.
Some
folks prefer the classic topical solution to insects. One frequently used
option is DEET, a colorless chemical with a faint odor that doesn’t dissolve
easily in water. DEET is very commonly known and used today, as it has been
used since 1946 by the U.S. Army and been available for general public use
since 1957. Concentrations of DEET range from 4% to 100%. The concentration
does not indicate effectiveness, but how long it lasts. For short hikes, 30%
DEET should be effective, but for full day excursions, 100% DEET is a much more
economical solution.
A newer
addition to the topical insect repellent family is Picaridin. It is a synthetic
compound first made in the 1980s and has been widely used in Europe and
Australia, but has only been available in the United States since 2005. It is
made to emulate the natural compound piperine, which is found in the plants
used to produce black pepper. It repels insects and makes them less likely to
bite and keeps mosquitos from sensing their prey. However, it does not kill
insects. It is also less toxic to wildlife compared to other options, and has
been noted as impeding green algae growth.
No
matter a person’s decision on prevention, it is important to follow all manufacturers’
directions for safe and effective use and to use the prevention regularly.
Information on different pesticides can be found on the manufacturer’s website,
the US Environmental Protection Agency’s website, and the National Pesticide
Information Center’s webpage.
