Mosquito plugs, citronella candles, special stickers and wristbands: there are nowadays a lot of things that say they help to mosquitoes. But what really works? And if you are stabbed, what can you do about itching?
“Those plugs do nothing,” says Bart Knols to Nu.nl. “It is all nonsense, all those products that say to produce a sound that scares mosquitoes.” Knols can know, because as a medical entomologist he is specialized in mosquitoes, among other things.
He is also not enthusiastic about citroella candles in the garden or on the balcony. “By burning the candle you automatically burn the citronella. It can smell a bit like it, but the effect is very small.”
In addition, we do not know at all whether mosquitoes experience citronella as a strong scent. “How mosquito perceive odor and what they think of it is difficult to say,” says Sander Koenraadt, associate professor of medical and veterinary entomology at Wageningen University & Research.
“We do know about these insects that they go on body odor and blood when they are hungry. She will not stop a candle,” says Koenraadt, wristbands and stickers with citronella that you can stick on clothing are not the solution, Knols knows. “Something like that only works if they cover your entire body.”
Mosquitoes come off on body odor
“People hope for a panacea, but that doesn’t exist,” says Koenraadt. “Mosquitoes come to body scent and the CO2 that you exhale. That combination is a sign for these critters that there is something warm -blooded nearby. They will therefore follow such a scent track until they find someone.”
You can cause mosquitoes around the garden with other scents, says Koenraadt. “An anti -mosquito spray can help. DEET is the best means. There are versions with different concentrations. Those with 20 or 30 percent work fine, but it also depends on whether you sweat a lot.”
You can lubricate the moment you sit outside, says Knols. “A high concentration is not necessary. Almost a quarter of what you are lubricated in the skin and ends up in your bloodstream.”
Lubricating with deet can help
There are therefore concerns about any harmful effects of DEET. Knols therefore wants to indicate that the product is not suitable for children under three years old. “But the creams with a lower concentration rate DEET protect more than enough during those few hours before you go to bed.”
“If you lubricate for a long time with the variant with a higher concentration, it can have a possible effect on your nervous system. But that chance is really small, and therefore use it is usually safe,” says Knols.
There is also a natural alternative. “Eucalyptus oil with an increased concentration of the active substance citriodiol,” says the medical entomologist.
Despite all the measures you can still be bitten. The itch can then be maddling. “Itching is psychological,” explains Knols. “If you see a bump, then you often feel automatically tickle.”
This helps against itching
There are spreads that, according to Knols, can help against itching. “Especially cooling creams, think of something with Menthol. Everything that cools, suppresses the itching. Ice cubes can also offer a solution.”
Putting a cross in the bump can also help with your nails. “At the moment of Zetten,” Knols knows. “It’s only short -lived, but the pain stimulus drowns out the itch stimulus.”
And why you are always stabbed while your partner, sister or father is spared? It remains a mystery. “We do know that it has to do with body odor,” says Koenraadt. “And perhaps also with the quality of someone’s blood.”
Mosquito Plugs, Citronella Candles, Special Stickers and Wist Bands: Nowadays There Are A Lot Of Things That Claim To Help Against Mosquitoes. But What Really Works? And if you have leg bitten, what can you do about the itching?
“Those plugs don’t do anything,” Bart Knols Tells Nu.nl. “It’s all nonsense, all those products that claim to produce a sound that Scares Off Mosquitoes.” Knols should know, because a medical entomologist he specializes in Mosquitoes, Among Other Things.
He is also not Enthusiastic about Citronella Candles in The Garden or On The Balcony. “By Burning the Candle you automatic Burn the Citronella. It may smell a bit like it, but the effect is very small.”
We also don’t know at all Whether Mosquitoes Experience Citronella as a Strong Odor. “How Mosquitoes Perceive Odors and what they think of them is Difficult to Say,” Says Sander Koenraadt, associate Professor of Medical and Veterinary Entomology at Wageningen University & Research.
“We do know -about these insects that they rely on body odor and blood when they are hungry. A candle will not stop them,” Says Koenraadt. Wrist bands and stickers with citronella that you can stick on clothing are therefore not the solution, tnols knows. “Something like that only works if they cover your entire body.”
Mosquitoes are attracted to body odor
“People Hope for a miracle cure, but it Doesn’t Exist,” Says Koenraadt. “Mosquitoes are attracted to body odor and the co2 you exhale. That combination is a sign for thesis creatures that there is something hot-blooded nearby. They will therefore follow Such a scent trail until they find anyone.”
You can mislead Mosquitoes with Other Scents, Says Koenraadt. “An anti-mosquito spray can help with this. DEET is the best remedy. There are versions with different concentrations. Those with 20 or 30 percent work fine, but it also on how much you sweat.”
Apply It When You Are Going To Sit Outside, Says Knols. “A High Concentration is not Necessary. Almost a Quarter of What You Apply is Absorbed Into the Skin and Ends Up in Your BloodStream.”
Applying DEET Can Help
There are also concerns about Possible Harmful effects or deet. Knols Therefore Wants To Emphasize That The Product is not Suitable for Children Under Three Years Old. “But the Creams with a Lower Concentration of Deet Protect More Than Enough Duration Those Few Hours Before You Go to Bed.”
“If you apply the variant with a higher concentration for a long time, it may have an effect on your nervous system. But the chance of that is really small, and its use is therefore generally safe,” Says tufts.
There is also a natural alternative. “Eucalyptus oil with an increased concentration of the active substance citriodiol,” Says the Medical Entomologist.
Despite all the Measures, you can still get bitten. The itching can then be maddening. “Itching is psychological,” Knols Explains. “If you see a bump, you often automatically feel a tickle afterwards.”
This Helps Against the Itching
There are ointments that tnols says can help against the itching. “Especially cooling creams, think of something with menthol. Anything that cools suppresses the itching. Ice cubes can also sacrifice a solution.”
It can also help to make a cross in the bump with your nails. “At the moment of setting,” Knols Knows. “It is only of short duration, but the pain stimulus overrides the itch stimulus.”
And why are you always bitten while your partner, Sister or Father is Spared? It remains a mystery. “We do know that it has to do with body odor,” Says Koenraadt. “And perhaps also with the quality of Someone’s Blood.”