Mosquito Avoidance DEET Repellents ( N-diethyl-m-toluamide) DEET-containing products are the most effective mosquito repellents available. DEET is also effective as a repellent against a variety of other insects, including ticks. It should be used when there is a need to prevent insect-borne disease. The concentration of DEET in products ranges from less than 10% to over 30%. 30% is currently the maximum concentration recommended for infants and children. The major difference in the effectiveness of products relates to their duration of action. Products with concentrations around 10% are effective for periods of approximately two hours. As the concentration of DEET increases, the duration of activity increases. A concentration of about 24% has been shown to provide an average of 5 hours of protection for example. Products containing more than 30% DEET increase the likelihood of side effects and are not recommended by Travel Health Fremantle. Directions One large repellent stick should roughly last 3-4 weeks per person (less for roll on and spray).*If combining with sun cream, apply the sun cream first then 30 minutes later apply the insect repellent. DEET should not be used in a product that combines the repellent with a sunscreen. Sunscreens often are applied repeatedly because they can be washed off. DEET is not water-soluble and will last up to 8 hours depending on the concentration used. Apply DEET sparingly on exposed skin; do not use under clothing. Do not use DEET over cuts, wounds or irritated skin, and avoid getting in your eyes. Wash treated skin with soap water after returning indoors.. Avoid spraying in enclosed areas; do not use DEET near food. DEET on Children There are no specific data on the skin absorption of DEET as a function of age. However, data on skin absorption of similar substances suggest that absorption through the skin would not differ after an infant has reached a month or two of age. Insect repellents containing DEET with a concentration of 30% are safe for children 2 months of age or older when used according to the directions on the product label. DEET is not recommended for use on children under 2 months of age. Do not use DEET on the hands of young children; avoid applying to areas around the eyes and mouth.
Picaridin Repellents For those people allergic to DEET the recommended alternative is a Picaridin based repellents. Travel Health Fremantle stocks Protect 100mls insect repellent that contains Picaridin.
Other Mosquito Avoidance Measures Wear clothing that covers the arms and legs when insects are biting. Use nets at night or stay in screened or airconditioned accommodation. Consider permethrin impregnated clothing & nets during high risk travel. Understand the biting habits of mosquitoes: The malaria-transmitting mosquito bites mostly at night & is attracted to highly scented
perfumes. The dengue fever-transmitting mosquito tends to bite during the cooler times of day, early morning and late afternoon.
PERMETHRIN Impregnation of clothing and mosquito nets What is Permethrin? Permethrin is both an insect repellent and an insecticide. When applied to clothing and bed nets, it offers reliable protection against a wide range of disease-transmitting insects, such as mosquitoes, human body lice, tsetse flies, sand fleas, and ticks, including those that transmit Lyme disease. It is the only approved, long lasting pesticide repellent for use on US military uniforms. Pre-treated clothing is available from outdoor stores and pre-treated nets can be purchased from Travel Health Clinics. Alternatively permethrin impregnation kits can be purchased for treatment of clothing/nets prior to travel How does it work? Permethrin works by quickly paralysing the nervous system of insects after it comes in contact with the substance or if the insect ingests it. General information Permethrin adheres well to fabric and is effective for approximately six months. It will survive several washings in hot or cold water (approx. 6-10). Once treated, netting or clothing has no vapour action. Treated bed nets have been shown to be four times more effective than untreated nets. Wearing protective clothing treated with permethrin and using repellents containing Diethyltoluamide (DEET) on exposed skin will give the best possible chance of avoiding insect bites. Is it safe? It is not classified as hazardous according to Worksafe Australia. It is safe for use on pregnant women, babies and children clothing. It has a very low toxicity and studies have found side effects from absorbed permethrin are very rare. Do not apply directly to the skin. Directions It is most useful to treat outer clothes, e.g. an over shirt. This means you can readily wash the undershirt, and do not need to wash the over shirt as often so the permethrin impregnation will last longer. Do not treat underwear or caps/hats. Garments to be treated should be soaked in the prepared solution for at least two minutes. Lay or hang to dry in a wellventilated area. When packing permethrin-treated clothes for your trip, place treated clothes in sealed bags to separate them from other garments and to prolong its effect. This will help you ensure that you are aware of which clothes have been treated when you arrive at your destination. In this way you can properly select which clothes to wear at what time. Treated clothes should not be ironed.
Each pack contains enough solution to treat a mosquito net up to 20sqm, a bed sheet up to 10sqm, or several items of clothing such as t-shirts or sweatshirts. Note: The amount of permethrin absorbed depends upon the material to be treated. The quantities shown in the pack are accurate only for the material stated. Caution Avoid permethrin contact with face and eyes. Wear rubber gloves when handling wet, treated fabrics and when mixing permethrin solutions. Do not soak in the washing machine. Permethrin can be very toxic to fish and aquatic organisms; do not let runoff contaminate local water sources. Hints Place remaining diluted solution into a spray pack and spray onto your hat, backpack, tops of shoes etc. Don’t forget to soak your mosquito net if it isn’t already impregnated. Treat your pets bedding/blanket with remaining solution. Dispose of your excess diluted solution in your garden, as it is great for ant control.