While some insects are beneficial, others can cause diseases, itchiness, and pain. If your home is infested by harmful insects, use repellents to kill or keep them away from the house. However, it’s essential to consider certain factors before settling for an insecticide.
Check The Key Ingredients
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s essential to use products with three active ingredients, such as plant-derived chemicals and synthetic products such as DEET and picaridin. You can also check if the product is an organic natural bug repellent for effectiveness.
Read The Label
Insect repellents are formulated to work on certain insects. So, read the label and ensure your target insect is on the list. In addition, check the duration of protection. Some products offer more hours of protection than others, forcing you to reapply more often.
Consider Safety
Always check the label to find out if there are warnings about flammability. If there’s such a warning, avoid using the pesticide near open flames. Also, avoid using products on pets and other animals unless the label states so. Store pesticides away from children’s reach.
Some products are also toxic to children and sensitive skin. So, always purchase mild products to use near children.
Avoiding Combined Repellants
It is essential to avoid insect repellents that are combined with sunscreen. This is because combining both may reduce the effectiveness of the products.
The Mode Of Application
You can apply insecticides through spraying the skin, clothes, or objects. Each application method is effective if you use it for the correct insect. For instance, spraying mosquitoes is only effective on the sprayed part. Meaning if you go to another corner, mosquitoes will still bite you.
Always apply insect repellent according to the label’s instructions. Also, check the ingredients, know the best mode of application and avoid combined repellents.
