Remember the good ole days where the higher the deet in your mosquito repellant, the better it worked? I do – vaguely. Seems that it not only worked on blocking the insect’s senses, but also screwed with our neurological systems. How do we block these bloodsuckers without going insane, both at the time and later in life? There’s ways, and you probably should know about them.
Lets Talk About the Deet-ails
As reported in Natural News: “The chemical known as deet (for N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is found in nearly every commonly used mosquito repellent in the world, and eight billion doses have been applied since its introduction to the consumer market in 1957. The chemical deet was originally developed as an insect repellent by the U.S. Army in 1946, following experience with jungle warfare in World War II.”
So, N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (say that fast 3-times), or deet, was originally for the Army’s defense against jungle insects. That, and it doubled as an effective close range nerve gas. Nice.
How Safe Is Deet?
Of course, it depends on who you ask. However, if you have any level of discernment (which those using deet for a number of years probably don’t due to neurological damage), it’s blatantly obvious that it should be the last method you employ, considering the following, again from Natural News:
“Researchers have long insisted that the chemical is safe, (but) they still recommend that consumers use the minimum amount of repellent necessary to cover exposed skin or clothing, and that deet repellents not be applied directly to any irritated or injured skin. While the United States allows the sale of 100 percent deet repellents, many other countries limit maximum concentrations of the chemical to 30 or 50 percent.”
If it were perfectly safe, why would you need to be cautioned to use the minimum amount? To give the mosquito’s a fighting chance of finding you? Otherwise it’s just not fair? Also, why would other countries limit the amount of deet? Are they too concerned for the mosquito’s plight for human blood?
Either way, I’d be overly suspicious.
Ok I’ve Bathed in Deet – What’s Next?
Well, the good news is that there’s probably not a mosquito on the planet (minus Saskatchewan) that’s going to get within a 1 km radius of you. The bad news, well, sooner than later you’re going to be auditioning for “Who’s Smarter Than a Pre-Schooler?”
Again, from Natural News: “In experiments performed in cockroaches and rats, the researchers found that deet blocked the action of the neurological enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This is the same mechanism that causes the toxic effects of popular carbamate and organophosphate pesticides, as well as chemical weapons such as sarin and VX nerve gas. This may mean that deet repellants are actually insecticides and could damage the human nervous system.”
“Organophosphates are among the pesticides most commonly implicated in pesticide poisoning worldwide, and are also a commonly used suicide method in agricultural areas. Like nerve gases, organophosphates irreversibly inactivate acetylcholinesterase, leading to excessive salivation and eye watering at low doses, and muscle spasms or death at higher doses. Although carbamates are not as toxic as organophosphates, their effects can be just as severe at high enough doses.”
I highlighted the important parts for your discernment.
Ok, So What’s My Options?
Fortunately, there are a few and they are relatively inexpensive and not too offensive (certainly less offensive than the smell of toxic gas).
Your best options are to find a natural mosquito repellant that uses essential oils in their mixture that have been known to keep the bugs away. If you are more of a purist, you can search directly for pure essential oils of citronella, cedarwood, lemon, patchouli, or clove. Yes you may smell like candles, bark, a citrus grove, and ginger snaps, but at least its safe, natural, and less offensive than deet.
Otherwise, wear light clothing (or a heavy tarp – again, for the Saskatchewan folk) and hope that you don’t smell delicious to the local insect.
Now get out there and do more camping, and less slapping.
To learn more about avoiding toxins, please visit: http://ganocoffeebenefits.com/.