Posted by admin | Posted in mosquito control | Posted on 28-12-2009
Tags: garden, gardening, health, mosquito, organic, organic mosquito repellent, organic mosquito repellent for babies, organic mosquito repellents
Think twice before using insect repellents that contain common active ingredient, DEET. Recent studies have found DEET to be toxic to the nervous system central in both mammals and insects. Although DEET is very powerful in repelling insects, possible side effects are too dangerous to ignore.
One of the ingredients most common asset in the synthetic insect repellents is DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide). DEET is a powerful insecticide used in more than 400 products. Discovered in 1953, DEET is now the most common active ingredient in insect repellents. Each year, one third of all Americans are covered with products containing DEET. This powerful ingredient repels insects, especially mosquitoes. With the prevalent mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile fever and illness Lyme DEET repellents have become even more popular.
Before slathering on DEET-containing products, however, we take a look at some of possible side effects of these chemicals in the human body. Research at Duke Medical Center in North Carolina found that exposure extended to DEET can damage the brain, leading to problems such as muscle weakness, incoordination, and difficulty with memory and cognition.
In the latest study, French scientists Lapier Vincent Corbel and Bruno found that DEET is toxic to the central nervous system. They found that DEET inhibits the key enzyme activity of the central nervous system, acetycholinesterase both insects and mammals. These neurotoxic effects of DEET are particularly damaging when used in combination with other insecticides, as organophasphate and carbamates, which increases toxicity. Unfortunately, these insecticides are often combined with DEET in insect repellents.
Natural, effective and safe alternatives to DEET are available. Insect repellents can be made with natural ingredients and organic are not dangerous to humans. Many products are made from natural sources that repel certain insects. These natural insect repellents are made primarily from essential oils derived from plant sources. Most natural repellents as effective as DEET, and have a great advantage because the ingredients are not toxic to humans.
Repellents that contain the natural eucalyptus oil have been found to be highly effective and nontoxic alternative to DEET. Many of natural insect repellents also contain aromatic oil of citronella, which has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a non-toxic pesticide. Plants such as lemon grass have also proven effective against mosquitoes.
Although DEET is very effective as an insect repellent, safety is questionable. DEET is a pesticide moderate and studies have shown that may not be suitable for use in and around water sources. Natural, Organic Insect Repellent that contain no harmful artificial ingredients available and are as effective. Therefore, the health problems of the use of DEET are far superior to its effectiveness against insects.
About the Author:
Renaud Professional will help you look and feel fabulous using all natural, organic products. Take 20% off any online order - just use coupon code RP20.
Be kind to your body - use natural products! To learn more about our skin and body care products visit http://www.RenaudProfessional.com Renaud Professional "Where Science and Nature Become One"
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Beware of DEET in Insect Repellants
|
|
California Baby Bug Repellant Spray, 6.5 Ounce
$12.79 Developed by a mother, California Baby has your child's best interest at heart. A natural alternative to toxic bug repellent chemicals such as DEET. We use only high quality, traditionally recommended bug repellent oils that are gentle and effective. Our natural formula contains pure essential oils like citronella and lemongrass, which are well known for their effective bug repellent properties. A... |
|
|
Herbal Insect Repellent
... |
|
|
Natural Lice and Insect Repellent, Nit Free Mint Spray, Natural Peppermint Oil Spray, All Organic Enzyme Formula - 8oz
$12.95 Nit Free Mint Spray comes in an 8 ounce spray bottle, ready to use. Apply to the hair and nape of the neck to ward off the insects and help eliminate them. A pleasant peppermint fragrance is combined with a powerful enzyme formula. Multiple daily applicat... |
|
|
Havahart Critter Ridder 3142 Animal Repellent Granular 2-Pounds
$11.75 Havahart Critter Ridder repels skunks, squirrels, dogs, cats, groundhogs and raccoons by using odor and taste. U.S.A.... |
|
|
Orange Guard 103 Water Based Indoor/Outdoor Home Pest Control - 32 oz Spray
$6.67 Finally! A safe, effective pest control for indoor/ outdoor use on ants, roaches, fleas and other insects, that actually outperformed the toxic chemical Dursban in field studies. All ingredients are food grade, water-based with active ingredient d-Limonene from orange peels. Pleasant fragrance is from fresh oranges. Contains: Active Ingredient: d-Limonene-orange peel extract-5.8%. Inert ingredi... |
|
|
Repel HG-406T Lemon Eucalyptus 4-Ounce Insect Repellent Pump Spray
$5.99 The first truly effective, plant-based insect repellent on the market, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus has been proven to be effective against mosquitoes, deer ticks and no-see-ums for up to six hours. Derived from Lemon Eucalyptus, a renewable resource, this non-greasy pump, has a pleasant scent and is perfect for the whole family. Oil of lemon eucalyptus, in addition to DEET and Picaridin, has been reco... |
|
|
Orange Guard Water Based Home Pest Control - 1 Gallon Bottle 101
$21.27 FROM MANUFACTURER WEBSITE How does Orange Guard Kill insects? The active ingredient d-Limonene (orange peel extract) destroys the wax coating of the insect's respiratory system. When applied directly, the insect suffocates. How does Orange Guard repel insects? The citrus fragrance of d-Limonene acts as a repellent. May I spray Orange Guard on my kitchen counters? Yes, without worry, no need to ... |
|
|
Pest-Repellent Plants (Australia's Best Garden Guides)
$12.95 The most useful pest-repellent plants for your garden, chosen by Australia's herb expert, Penny Woodward. No more expensive sprays that hill everything; no searching fruitlessly for safe solutions to your pest problems; no more fly or ant-infested houses or mosquito plagued barbecues. Penny has done the work for you. This full colour guide contains: Clear descriptions of pest repellent plants; Bea... |
|
|
Orange Oil Concentrate
$14.49 Medina Orange Oil contains the raw oil collected from the citrus peel during the juicing extraction. No heat is applied during this "cold pressed" process thereby preserving the integrity of the oil. Orange Oil has been discovered to be an important ingredient in a variety of household and gardening applications. Orange Oil degrades the waxy coating on the ectoskeleton of insects, causing dehydrat... |
|
|
Cactus Juice Eco-Safe Spray 6 oz.
$7.49 Containing no harmful chemicals and formulated with your health in mind, this natural blend of Prickly Pear Cactus, emollients and moisturizers helps prevent and temporarily protects chafed, cracked, windburned skin and protects your skin from many of nature's assaults.... |
