The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Insect repellents can be an effective aid in reducing bites from mosquitos and ticks that can cause a range of health problems from itchiness and irritation to potentially serious diseases. Some insect repellents are more effective than others. Mosquitos can bite at any time during the day, but most species tend to be more active at dawn and dusk. Ticks are often encountered along trail edges, particularly in wooded areas or tall grass. Around the globe, mosquito and tick bites can lead to a range of diseases including malaria, dengue fever and chikungunya. Here in Canada, West Nile virus and Lyme disease are the main health concerns, but there are other diseases that can also be contracted. For most Canadians, the risk of contracting these illnesses is very low and the risk of serious health effects is even lower. Your best protection from them is to take preventative measures, including the use of insect repellents that have been approved by Health Canada. Approved Health Canada products have a Pest Control Product (PCP) registration number on the product label. Products Choose a product that meets your needs. For example, if you plan to be outdoors for a short period of time, choose a product with a lower concentration of repellent and repeat application only if you need a longer protection time. Use only personal insect repellents that have a Pest Control Product registration number and are labelled as insect repellents for use on humans. Never use a product labelled as an insecticide on your body. DEET Products containing DEET, when used as directed, are acceptable for use. Health Canada completed the latest review in 2001 which was also supported by the Canadian Paediatric Society. The higher the DEET concentration in the repellent formula, the longer it provides protection. While this is true for protection against both mosquitos and ticks, the time frame is longer for mosquitos than ticks. When seeking protection against ticks, look for a product that specifies use for ticks and use it on your clothing as well as exposed skin. Health Canada regulations allow the following concentrations for different age groups: Up to 30 per cent concentration of DEET for adults and children over 12 years of age. Each application should be effective for six hours against mosquitos. Up to 10 per cent concentration for children aged two to 12, applied up to three times daily. Each application should be effective for three hours against mosquitos. Up to 10 per cent concentration for children aged six months to two years, applied no more than once daily. It offers three hours of protection against mosquitos. Do not apply on face and hands. Do not use personal insect repellents containing DEET on infants under six months. Use a mosquito net when the child is in a crib, playpen or stroller outdoors. Sunscreen and insect repellents can be combined. Follow the instructions on the package for proper applications of each product. Apply the sunscreen first, followed by the insect repellent. P-menthane 3,8-diol A product containing this active ingredient was recently registered in Canada. It provides up to two hours of protection against biting insects but should not be used on children under three years of age. It can be applied up to two times per day. Soybean Oil Soybean oil two per cent blocker repellent is another mosquito repellent, providing protection for 3.5 hours. Although this product is registered for use in Canada it is not currently marketed widely in this country. See 'Review' on pg. Continued from pg. Citronella In 2004, Health Canada completed a review of the available information on citronella-based personal insect repellents that are applied directly to the skin. There was a lack of safety data to support continued registration. However, since Health Canada did not identify any imminent health risks, citronella-based personal insect repellents will remain on the market until a final decision is made. Registered products containing citronella protect people against mosquito bites from 30 minutes to two hours. These products cannot be used on infants and toddlers. Certain products containing citronella have a limit on the number of applications allowed per day. Read the product label before using. Not Recommended The following products are not recommended for a variety of reasons. They may not be very effective or long-lasting, and may have the potential to be harmful to human health. Electronic or ultrasonic devices. Electrocuting devices, such as bug zappers. Wristbands, neckbands and ankle bands impregnated with repellents. Odour-baited mosquito traps. Citrosa houseplants. Vitamin B1 taken orally. Skin moisturizers and insect repellent combination products are not approved for use by Health Canada. Use separate products simultaneously when required. Minimizing Risk Besides using an insect repellent, you can reduce your risk by taking the following steps. Whenever possible, avoid being outdoors at dawn or dusk when mosquitos are most active. Wear long-sleeved shirts, full length pants and enclosed shoes if you are outdoors when mosquitos are active or where ticks might be found. If you are in an area where ticks might be found, you should also tuck your shirt into your pants and pull socks up over your pant legs. This will help keep ticks away from your bare skin. Wear light-coloured clothing which will help reduce your overall attractiveness to mosquitos and allow you to see ticks more easily. Make sure you have screens on your windows that do not have any tears or gaps. Make sure doors are tight fitting. Mosquitos develop in standing pools of water, so remove standing water from items such as pool covers, saucers under flower pots, pet bowls and wading pools on your property. Empty and clean bird baths twice a week and regularly clean eavestroughs to prevent clogs that can trap water. When returning from areas where ticks may be found, check your clothes and your entire body for ticks. It is important to check pets regularly, as well. If you plan to travel to tropical areas where serious mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria are common, see your doctor or visit a travel clinic several weeks before you go.
