When To Use OFF Insect Repellent, And When To Go Natural

OFF insect repellent is one of many options when it comes to using a chemical solution to protect yourself from potentially damaging insect bites. There is no doubt that using some form of protective solution, preferably in conjunction with other types of barrier as well, is necessary when you visit certain parts of the world where the risk of mosquito bites is especially high. There is also a strong case for using such a repellent in other environments where the risk is not so acute, but where you can still suffer discomfort from insect bites.

The first choice which you have to make when considering which insect repellent to use is whether you want to use a chemical based solution or a natural product. There are several factors to consider. The first consideration is whether the solution you will be using is safe, and there is more suspicion than ever before regarding chemical based products. DEET based repellents, of which OFF insect repellent is one, are proven to be effective, but are they safe? The answer is that they are fundamentally safe in terms of immediate danger, but that there are cumulative long term side effects which can be harmful.

So, is the use of OFF insect repellent worthwhile given the potential risks? The answer depends on the length of time that you will be using the product, and the circumstances in which it will be used. The risks involved with chemical insect repellents need to be seen in context. Only four deaths have ever been reported which could be attributed to DEET, amongst the millions of users each year, and the percentage of people reporting serious health problems is less than many types of food.

Where there is a definite risk is with prolonged use. Tests carried out on National Park workers have shown that there are cumulative negative effects on the mental condition of employees who use these chemicals. Sleep patterns are frequently disturbed, mental cognizance is reduced, and the mood and morale of the user is prone to fluctuation. These risks suggest that DEET should only be used where there is a definite need for the strongest available protection, and where only a short term use of the product is demanded.

OFF insect repellent is better used in extreme and short term circumstances. If you are going into an area where there is a pronounced risk of mosquito bites, then you should use the strongest DEET based insect repellent you can find. The difficulty comes when the risk is less easy to quantify, and where you will be using the product for longer periods of time. In these cases, it is probably wise to look into a more natural plant-based solution, bearing in mind that even these can cause allergic reaction in some people, and that you will need to apply the solution more often. If you know there is a risk of mosquito bite, it is still better to use a solution such as OFF insect repellent.






 

Bug Repellent News:

 

Warmer Weather Fuels Bug Season; Bug Bites No. 1 Factor for Ruining Summer Trips
RACINE, Wis., May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the OFF! Buggiest Cities Survey, Americans agree that the No. 1 factor most likely to spoil a summer trip is bites from mosquitoes and other bugs. ...


Red Cross Asks for Help Feeding Searchers
You can contribute snacks and other items for the canteen at the staging area for the search...


It could be a long tick season in affected areas; tips for staying safe - Washington Post

Chattanooga Times Free Press
It could be a long tick season in affected areas; tips for staying safe
Washington Post
Safford says she uses natural repellents against Lyme and checks her children's bodies nightly at bath time, removing any ticks that are found. Ticks are especially fond of bodily creases such as armpits, the back of the knee, the groin and the nape of .
Warm winter, spring blamed for rise in tick populationChattanooga Times Free Press
Smart Landscaping This Spring Can Outsmart Ticks At Home, Says Tick-Borne .Albany Times Union
Taking the bite out of ticksLeader-Telegram (blog)
Mexico Ledger (blog) -WMTV -Wisconsin Rapids Tribune
all 99 news articles »
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State officials urge precaution against ticks - Green Bay Press Gazette

Canton Citizen Newspaper
State officials urge precaution against ticks
Green Bay Press Gazette
Avoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter since ticks prefer these areas. Stay to the center of a trail to avoid contact with grass and brush. » Use effective tick repellents and apply according to the label instructions.
Lyme disease sends confusing signalsCatskill Daily Mail
Acorn Crop Spurs Rising Concern of Lyme DiseaseNCWTV
Check for TicksHQ Comox Valley
Patch.com -my.hsj.org
all 17 news articles »
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Health district attacks tick problem - Chillicothe Gazette

Cherokee Phoenix
Health district attacks tick problem
Chillicothe Gazette
Wear light-colored pants tucked into your socks and long-sleeved, light-colored shirts when possible, to make it easier to see ticks if they get on you. » Consider the use of a repellent containing DEET, used according to directions.
LYME SEASON: Ticks are here and they can bring disease with themThe Keene Sentinel
Tips on Ticks from the Health DepartmentPatch.com
Lyme disease: A guide to one of summer's drawbacksMother Nature Network
Cherokee Phoenix -WABI
all 22 news articles »
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Ban the Buzz: Sprayless Protection Keeps Mosquitoes at Bay
New OFF! Clip-on„¢ Helps Canadians Take Full Advantage of Summer TORONTO , May 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Summer is almost here, and the warm weather and extra hours of sunshine signal the start of the best things ...


Here come the bugs
WINDSOR, Ont. -- Break out the sunscreen and bug repellent, already...


 




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