The Efficacy of Some Commercially Available Insect Repellents forAedes aegypti(Diptera: Culicidae) andAedes albopictus(Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Reducing the number of host-vector interactions is an effective way to reduce the spread of vector-borne diseases. Repellents are widely used to protect humans from a variety of protozoans, viruses, and nematodes. DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide), a safe and effective repellent, was developed during World War II. Fear of possible side effects of DEET has created a large market for “natural” DEET-free repellents with a variety of active ingredients. We present a comparative study on the efficacy of eight commercially available products, two fragrances, and a vitamin B patch. The products were tested using a human hand as attractant in a Y-tube olfactometer setup with Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse), both major human disease vectors. We found that Ae. albopictus were generally less attracted to the test subject’s hand compared with Ae, aegypti. Repellents with DEET as active ingredient had a prominent repellency effect over longer times and on both species. Repellents containing p-menthane-3,8-diol produced comparable results but for shorter time periods. Some of the DEET-free products containing citronella or geraniol did not have any significant repellency effect. Interestingly, the perfume we tested had a modest repellency effect early after application, and the vitamin B patch had no effect on either species. This study shows that the different active ingredients in commercially available mosquito repellent products are not equivalent in terms of duration and strength of repellency. Our results suggest that products containing DEET or p-menthane-3,8-diol have long-lasting repellent effects and therefore provide good protection from mosquito-borne diseases.

Surveillance report of Zika virus among Canadian travellers returning from the Americas

“…Because of a lack of vaccine availability or chemoprophylaxis (2 common strategies for pre vention of travelacquired illness), prevention of all 3 arboviral infections relies solely on the use of mosquitoavoidance mea sures (e.g., screens or netting, insecticidetreated clothing, and insect repellents). 22,23 Neurologic complications of Zika were observed in 5% of the travellers in our small cohort. The substantial neurotropism of Zika virus 24,25 was supported by our observation of symptoms similar to those of Guillain-Barré syndrome, meningitis and polyneuropathy in 5% of the travellers with Zika.…”

Efficacy of Some Wearable Devices Compared with Spray-On Insect Repellents for the Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae)

“…However, it has become apparent that not all repellents and/or repellent devices actually reduce mosquito attraction and that in many cases the claims made by the vendors of these products are exaggerated or simply false (Fradin and Day 2002; Fuss et al 2007, 2013; Hill et al 2007; Fuss and Ray 2009; Rodriguez et al 2015). …”

Evolution, Current Status and Prospects of Phyto-Repellents against Mosquitoes

“…A recent comparative analysis of four essential oil-based commercial body spray formulations and a skin patch made of vitamin B1, with 3 different formulations of DEET [92] has rated the formulations containing DEET or PMD with prolonged active period of repellent activity and the skin patch containing Vit B1 with no repellent activity against Aedes spp. (Table 2).…”