Insect Repellant
 

I will be traveling to Kenya in March. I am really looking forward to the trip. My local travel clinic has impressed upon me the importance of insect (especially mosquito) repellant and they have suggested that I spray the clothing that I will be wearing in Kenya with Permethrin. I read the warning labels on the Permethrin spray that is sold in stores near me and it seems that this is a very toxic substance. While I certainly do not want to contract a horrible mosquito-borne disease, I am concerned about the toxicity of Permethrin.
Has anyone used this? If so, what were your experiences? Also, I live in Minnesota. The temperature here this time of year is consistently below freezing. Is there a problem with spraying clothing with Permethrin in such cold temperatures? (I don't think it would be a good idea to spray it indoors!) Thanks for your help!

I brought along a bottle on my trip to Zambia but after reading the hazards and toxicity, we never used it. You can spray your clothes/skin with an insect spray containing DEET and you should be o.k. From what I've come to know, the malaria mosquitos come out between dusk and dawn

Dear Minncat

Although malaria is grim, mosquitos in Africa are generally not the problem people assume them to be. They are not like midges in Scotland in summer or blackflies in Canada (tsetses on the other hand are horrid). Mosquito protection both in the form of tablets and sprays should be used, but please don't be paranoid.

Having used repellants containing Deet for years and seen the way they eat away at plastic or rubber when dripped onto it, I came across a product called Mosi-guard last year.

I've now used it on a couple of African trips and it seems as effective a repellant as Deet based products. It's active ingredient (according to the bottle) is Citriodiol which smells like the citronella candles we burn in the summer to ward off insects outside. It's a strong smell but not unpleasant.

It has my recommendation.

Richard

Richard - what kind of tablets are you referring to for warding off mosquitos? Not something I've heard of before, but I'm interested! Thanks, Sharon

Minncat,
We did use the Permethrin. This is completely anecdotal, and as such probably near useless, but we didn't have any problems with it. I don't think I'm very sensitive to that kind of stuff, though, because I DEETed up heavily all the time, too. My skin, breathing, etc., were all fine.

This was summer in California before we left, so yes, we did spray everything in my back yard. I wouldn't want to tackle a project like that indoors.

It's really your choice. I'm not sure I'll bother with all that for my next trip.

Please have a wonderful time in Kenya!

Richard, thanks for mosi-guard recommendation. DEET doesn't seem like something I want to put all over my skin. It seems like DEET is the only thing recommended by CDC as close to 100% effective. But I will research the mosi-guard. Thanks again!

Unlike mosquitoes in the Americas, the mosquitoes in Africa are only problems from dusk to dawn. And they do NOT bite through clothing (which I believe some type of mozzies can do...but not in Africa). So the permethrin is of extremely limited use: it will only protect the part of you that is covered by clothign...but since mozzies don't bite thru clothing, you are already protected there and don't need the extra permethrin. And if you are NOT covered up because it is hot--well you can still get bitten on bare skin...so again the permethrin isn't helping.

Now if permethrin protected you from tsetse flies it might be worth trying. But it does not. Nothing really works against tsetse flies. (Though anecdotally people try various things like lavender oil or tea tree oil and say is helps, somewhat.)

So the best solution is to cover up as soon as the sun goes down, and to use an effective repellent on your skin. Deet does melt plastics, but if you choose a safe formulation, it is not bad. Both Sawyers and Ultrathon have deet in a base that minimizes skin absorption, a good thing. I also find the formulations in stick form very useful for quick application, since you don't get the stuff on your hands while applying lotions. I don't like sprays because aerosol versions are so easily inhales--yuck.

Sharon

I note now that I wasn't clear. I was talking about malaria prophylaxics rather than tablets against mosquitoes.

I'd second the advice about insect repellants as roll ons or stick rather than a spary.

Richard

Hi - Does anyone know where to find Mosiguard in the US? I did search but couldn't find it. Thanks!

Cooncat I don't know about mozzie guard but the cdc has now approved picardin which I understand to be something like mozzie guard. Check the CDC web site to see what they say and I know you can buy it at REI
Happy travels
J

Forgot to say Picardin is the "active ingredient" not the brand name. If you do a search on REI for insect repellant their selection will come up and you will see the one with Picardin.

J

Cooncat, I think this is what you're looking for:

http://www.repel.com/SpectrumBrands/...=NoModifyGuest

The above website states:

"Repel Lemon Eucalyptus can be found at Target and REI. Please contact store for availability."

Thanks everyone!

According to the Mosiguard website their US distributor is as follows:

United States of America
Spectrum Brands,
Consumer Service Department 2150 Schuetz Road, St Louis MO 63146, USA
Telephone:+ 1 888-880-1181
www.wpcbrands.com

I promise I'm not on commission! Just trying to help.

Richard

Looks like the same stuff...Repel. Thanks Richard!

Thanks so much everyone! You've been a great help. I think I will forego the Permethrin and look for the other alternatives that you have recommended.

Unfortunately, it looks like Picaridin (Cutter Advanced) is only available in spray form. Has anyone seen a lotion or roll-on version of it?

Cheers,
Julian

Hello.

This info has been very useful to me as I have been trying to determine how to find Mosi-guard insect repellent in Canada. Seeing the information about Repel Lemon Eucalyptus in the US has helped since it appears to be the same product.

I am also trying to find out whether Mousticare mosquito repellent bracelets (which use geraniol oil) is available in Canada or the US. And who the retailers (or distributors) are.

Thanks.

achong -

Can't comment about the particular repellent bracelet you mention, but do know that gardners, plant shops, etc. sell these. If you have a large gardening establishment nearby, check with them. A few year's back a friend's husband in the business provided these, but we didn't find they did much good.