Nothing annoys you more than a mosquito in your room when you finally want to sleep after a long day. Mosquito stopper can provide a solution to kill these insects. But isn’t that bad for your health, because the chemical released kills insects?
In 2002, mosquito tampons containing bio-althrin were banned after they posed a risk of neuronal damage to young children. So what about mosquito tampons today? Radar detects it.
How does the mosquito stopper work?
A mosquito plug (usually) releases odorless vapor into the air after it is plugged into an electrical outlet. Not only does this steam kill existing mosquitoes, but often mosquitoes as well. Mosquito plugs differ from each other in components.
Most modern mosquito tampons contain either paralythrin or metofluthrin. These substances are also part of pyrethroids, a group of natural and synthetic substances that are highly toxic to insects.
natural pyrethroids
Natural pyrethroids are often found in aerosols to control insects and can be used in (organic) agriculture, Waarzitwatin reports. Thus, natural pyrethrins are less harmful to mammals and birds than many synthetic pyrethroids, but they are still very harmful to fish and beneficial insects such as bees.
synthetic pyrethroids
Synthetic pyrethroids, such as pralythrin or mitofluthrin in mosquito plugs, are more toxic to some types of insects. They were specifically developed to improve the effectiveness of pyrethroids, according to warzitotin. Therefore, many synthetic pyrethroids degrade less rapidly than natural pyrethroids.
Are mosquito plugs harmful now?
With normal use (according to the instructions for use), mosquito tampons today are safe for consumers. Many anti-mosquito products are considered biocides and must be approved by the Board of Directors to obtain a Ctgb License.
In studies by Ctgb, products are tested for effectiveness, safety for the user(s) and safety for the environment. Consumers can Our Location Find out if the product is allowed, tell Ctgb so in a reply. The approval number is always on the packaging and begins with the letter N or NO for the Netherlands.
directions
However, it is important to use the mosquito repellent exactly according to the instructions for use. Mosquito plugs vary in the number of voltage (V) present, the number of hours the mosquito plug can be in the socket (usually 8-10 hours), the number of days you can use the mosquito plug and the maximum size of the room (usually 30 m²). Please refer to the instructions for use of the respective product.
Stay away from food and fish tanks
Also, the mosquito stopper should not be placed near food and aquariums. Pyrethroids can be toxic to humans if ingested and this also applies to cold-blooded animals such as fish. Furthermore, you shouldn’t refill the mosquito tampon yourself and only use the mosquito tampon indoors, Ctgb reports.
keep away from the reach of the children
The mosquito stopper should be kept out of the reach of children under the age of two. Children are at greater risk when they come into contact with pyrethroids, because they can inadvertently ingest the product and react more sensitively to pyrethroids, Warsitoaten reports.
Allergic people
Vigilance also applies to people who are allergic (contact). Synthetic pyrethroids can cause a rash, itching, bumps, or irritation of mucous membranes in these people.
Source: what’s in it, Cut GB, De Volkskrant
