Posts Tagged ‘disease’

Mosquito Repellent

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

The mosquito is the cause of many infectious diseases e.g. malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever etc. In fact, it serves as a vector to transmit such diseases from person to person. Mosquito control is the method used to manage mosquito numbers. Different methods are used to control mosquitoes from increasing and spreading illnesses.

Occasionally, regulating the source of reproduction and growth of mosquitoes is achieved by decreasing their number i.e. removing standing water. Natural predators like dragonflies, mosquito fish and killifish are used to prey on mosquitoes.

In this way their number is kept under control and the likelihood for mosquitoes to cause any damage are reduced. Different types of insecticides are also used to eradicate mosquitoes.

A mosquito repellent serves the purpose of saving an individual from the strike of mosquitoes which could cause serious damage to the health of the individual. A mosquito repellent is a substance which is used to repel and discourage mosquitoes from landing and biting. The out beak of mosquito-borne diseases can be managed and prevented by the use of such repellents.

The body chemistry of each person is different, which is why some individuals attract mosquitoes more than others and become a part of a mosquito?s? menu more frequently. Study shows that synthetic repellents are more effectual than natural repellents. The reason is the long lasting nature of synthetic repellents.

DEET and IR3535 are very commonly used repellents. DEET is a somewhat yellowish oil which is applied to the body or clothing to discourage mosquitoes. It should be used very cautiously because it can cause skin reactions and irritation.

DEET is the oldest repellent in use; it having been invented in 1946. Its protection lasts for about five hours. IR3535 is a chemical repellent which is found in Avon products such as their ?Skin So Soft? line of goods.

Rather than applying synthetic repellents, natural repellents can be made by mixing different natural oils in specific concentrations depending on the type of mosquito. Citronella oil, lemon eucalyptus, clove oil, cedar oil, lemongrass oil, rosemary oil and cinnamon oil are the most popular oils used as natural mosquito repellents. The refined form of oil of Lemon eucalyptus is a very effectual insect repellent.

Mosquito coils i.e. mosquito-repelling incense, is also commonly used in Asia, South America and Africa. It is usually a coil made of Pyrethrum powder, shaped into a spiral. Contemporary mosquito-repelling coils burn for about eight hours without a flame.

Their ability to repel mosquitoes is very strong; it is also cheap and simple to use. Health and safety concerns are of great importance when using such coils. The spark from the coil could ignite a fire and the smoke contains formaldehyde which is very harmful to health.

Children and pregnant women ought to use mosquito repellents very cautiously. The label on the repellent must be read very carefully before use and the directions should be followed precisely. Mosquito repellents should be kept out of the reach of children because of their deleterious effects on health.

Owen Jones, the author of this article writes on a number of topics, but is currently concerned with the Aedes mosquito. If you would like to know more or check out some fantastic offers, please go to our web site at Indoor Bug Zapper.

What Attracts Mosquitoes To What They Want?

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

In essence, mosquitoes are attracted to each other, water, food and blood: every other in order to breed, water for laying eggs, food for obvious reasons and blood so that the female can lay fertile eggs. Regrettably, it is this latter reason that most worries us and other animals.

Mosquitoes probably detect one another by pheromones and it has been shown that a mosquito’s sight is not much good, so they almost certainly detect, food, water and blood by smell. The manufacturers of mosquito repellents have recognized this for a long time. For example, DEET, the best repellent in the world ever, does not deter mosquitoes at all.

No, it masks the human being so that the mosquito does not know that we are there, even though it may be just inches away, which proves just how bad the mosquito’s eyesight is. We must be the size of an apartment block to a mosquito, yet it cannot see us from a few inches, if we are wearing repellent!

So, if all that is a fact, is there anything that some of us do to promote our presence to these half-blind nuisances? After all,. there must be, because some people are bitten a lot more than others. Well, it seems that there are some do’s and don’ts.

Firstly, there are over 3,500 kinds of mosquitoes. Some bite humans more eagerly than others and some have different characteristics and behavioural patterns, but in general, mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide. Wonderful! I hear you saying, so I only have to stop breathing or wear a gas mask!

No, it is probable that CO2 carries and enhances some other smells to the mosquito’s receptors. It has long been considered that perfume and deodorant are some of these smells and that would make sense, because some expensive perfumes contain animal sweat and pheromones. However, it seems that extensive tests have shown that smelly feet are a magnet for mosquitoes as well.

In order to test this theory, scientists baited traps with CO2 and with used socks (and with a cheese that smells like old socks) and the traps smelling of feet (and cheese) won out. The smell of perspiration is a bizarre thing.

Fresh perspiration does not have a robust smell unless you have been eating something strong-smelling and most individuals find the smell and sight of fresh perspiration on a body quite sexy. OK, mosquitoes may be different, but no one likes the smell of ‘old’ sweat. That is the one that smells bad. It is also the one that is in used socks.

And the likely reason for it smelling badly, it that microflora and bacteria have started to decompose it. It is likely that mosquitoes pick up the stench of our old sweat being broke down by microscopic bugs and flowers.

Would an extra shower help? It cannot hurt.

Owen Jones, the writer of this piece writes on more than a few topics, but is now involved with how to stop mosquito bite itch. If you want to know more, please go to our website at Getting Rid of Mosquito Bites.

Advice On Grooming And Brushing Your Dog

Monday, September 5th, 2011

All dogs need some form of grooming, there is no doubt about that. Even smooth chihuahuas should be wiped with a damp chamois leather to get rid of loose skin and dust. However, one of the main purposes for grooming your dog regularly is so that you can inspect him for skin problems like allergic reactions to flea or tick bites. Another reason is bonding. In a pack situation, dogs groom other dogs and are themselves groomed every day and dogs enjoy it.

Therefore, you should groom or brush your dog at least once a week and take him to a dog parlour every three, four or six months depending on how fast his hair or fur grows and whether you can manage it or not. Having said that, you will find brushing easier if your dog’s coat is the right length, because it will not mat so readily.

You should wash your dog every month or so and groom him at at a minimum of once week. This will ensure that your dog becomes accustomed to being bathed and handled. If this is done from the puppy age, most dogs will not only accept it, but they will come to enjoy it, although there will always be those dogs that bolt for it as soon as they see a hose and a bowl. They get to know what to look out for. If you talk to him all the time, reassuring him and occasionally giving a doggie treat, he should soon come to accept the unavoidable – that he is going to be bathed and groomed.

In fact, most dogs enjoy the grooming, although many only tolerate the bathing. Anyway, bathing and grooming on a regular basis will keep the job as simple as it can be. Once your dog is no longer a puppy, for example after six months or so, you might take him to a professional groomer in a so-called ‘Poodle Parlour’. By then, he should be becoming used to the routine and he will accept the treatment from strangers more readily as well.

You could look for professional groomers in adverts in the pet store or the vet’s or just ask your friends and neighbours for suggestions. Locating a groomer should not be problem, but you might have to try a couple before you find one whose manner of grooming you like or who is adaptable enough to fit in with your lifestyle.

When you drop your dog off at the Poodle Parlour, ask when it will be ready to be collected up. Turn up 15 minutes early and you might be lucky enough to witness first hand how your dog is being taken care of and how your dog is getting on with the groomer. This is priceless information, because it will help you make up your mind whether the groomer is getting on with your dog or not.

If the groomer is doing a good job, but your dog is anxious, you can help put him at ease. If the groomer is being a bit too rough, then you will know whether to change Poodle Parlours or just have that groomer banned from taking care of your dog.

Owen Jones, the author of this piece writes on quite a few topics, but is currently concerned with indoor mosquito repellent. If you would like to know more or check out some great offers, please go to our website at Mosquito Repellent For Dogs.


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