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Thu Aug 16, 2007 6:27 pm  |
| angel06 wrote: |
| I am looking for natural and yet effective. |
I understand the desire to stay away from toxic chemicals. I try to eat organic foods, don't ever use lawn care pesticides, and use boric acid instead of conventional pesticides for cockroaches; however, when it comes to insect repellents you are looking at a risk-risk trade-off. You have to weigh the risk of the likelihood of the insect-borne disease with the inherent risk of using the pesticide.
It really depends on the risk conditions in the environment and the underlying health of the user.
When my 16 y/o daughter was in Mexico this summer in an area where malaria is endemic, we discussed the risks and decided to use a 33% DEET product. (We wouldn't have been using DEET if she were 6 and going to Minnesota.)
If you decide to use pesticide, please look for an EPA registration number which means that the US Environmental Protection Agency has done a risk assessment and determined that the product poses no undue risk when used as directed. Most importantly, when you a pesticide you need to follow the directions for use EXACTLY. If the product says use a specific amout or to wash hands after use- you must do that to assure your safety and the effectiveness of the product! All the risk calculations are based on users reading the label and using the product as directed.
You might find the following site on insect repellents interesting.
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/mosquitoes/ai_insectrp.htm
(I do work for the EPA pesticide program.) |
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