title: [Evaluation of effectiveness of several repellents against mosquito bites available at the Polish market].
abstract: BACKGROUND. Mosquitoes are blood-sucking insects, nuisance to humans and animals. Their bites cause itching and allergic reactions. These insects are also vectors of several viruses, bacteria and parasites. Protection against mosquitoes is therefore justified and desirable. This can give repellents and products for protection small outdoor areas such as terraces, home gardens. OBJECTIVE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of eight selected products with different formulations used against mosquitoes including: 5 preparations for use on the body or clothing (repellents A, B, C, D, E and 3 products for use in small outdoor spaces (I, J, K).
  
  
  METHODS
  [corrected] Repellents were tested in laboratory trials, when volunteers were exposed to Aedes aegypti females breeding in the laboratory. Products I, J, K were tested in field trials; volunteers were exposed to female mosquitoes at various ages from the environment (Aedes sp, Culex sp).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that all tested repellents were efficient during 4 hrs. After this time their effectiveness decreased--fast in the case of repellent B (10% DEET), not very fast, but significant--in the case of repellent C (15% DEET). Three products for small area protection gave (each of them) 3-hour protection against mosquito bites. Product K (21,97% allethrin) was 100% effective (no bites at all).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both kinds of product can give effective protection against mosquito bites. Their use is most effective, cheaper and more safe for the environment method of protection against mosquitoes than chemical spraying of large areas.
authors.affiliation: Samodzielna Pracownia Entomologii Medycznej i Zwalczania Szkodników Narodowy Instytut Zdrowia Publicznego, Państwowy Zakład Higieny w Warszawie.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mikulak
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gliniewicz
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Królasik
authors.forename: Bozena
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sawicka
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rabczenko
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes; D000487:Allethrins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D003671:DEET / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007302:Insect Repellents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011044:Poland; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000487:Allethrins; D007302:Insect Repellents; D007306:Insecticides; D011722:Pyrethrins; D003671:DEET