Wearing light-colored clothes and approved repellents are effective techniques to avoid mosquito bites.
Mosquito repellents vary widely. There are several chemical and biopesticide repellents but only some of these should be used on clothing. Does this Spark an idea?
Identification
The Centers for Disease Control states the chemicals DEET and picardin, as well as the biopesticides oil of lemon eucalyptus, PMD and IR3535 can be applied to clothing and skin. The effectiveness of any repellent, however, can be changed by outside factors including temperature, water or perspiration exposure and abrasive removal of the product.
Permethrin For Clothing and Gear
The CDC specifically recommends applying repellents containing the insecticide permethrin to clothing, camping gear, shoes and bed netting before going on outdoor excursions. Clothing can also be pre-treated with permethrin. Permethrin is an especially effective insect killer and repellent -- killing and repelling mosquitoes, ticks and other bugs. It also remains effective on treated material even after several washings. Permethrin, however, should not be applied directly to skin.
Clothing as a Repellent
Clothing itself can be somewhat of a mosquito repellent. Covering as much skin as possible helps reduce mosquito bites, and mosquitoes are less attracted to light-colored clothing than darker items.
Tags: mosquito bites