[Electronic repellents against mosquitoes: the propaganda and the reality].
A bibliographic review about the use of electroacoustic devices with a supposed repellent action on the females of different species of hematophagous mosquitoes is presented. 15 direct references and 2 indirect ones are given, in which it is concluded that these devices do not protect those who have them from the stings of mosquitoes. The names of 9 of the tested devices as well as of 16 of the main species of mosquitoes present in the field tests are mentioned. These tests have been carried out in very different ecological conditions from Alaska to Equatorial Africa. It is also stressed that the high intensity ultrasonic frequencies emitted by these devices produces a potentially harmful effect on man.
Coro
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Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba.
Suárez
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D000162:Acoustics / Q000295:instrumentation; D000330:Aedes; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles; D003465:Culex; D004581:Electronics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000517:prevention & control; D009032:Mosquito Control / Q000295:instrumentation*