Sometimes, no matter how much you try to keep your home clean, pests, especially mosquitoes and flies, still find a way to thrive and survive. Many homeowners immediately turn to pesticides and repellent sprays to remove them. However, these products can contain harmful chemicals that have been linked to health issues.
Why Insect Repellents are Dangerous to Your Health
Most insect repellents contain DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), which has been used since the 1940s to help prevent the spread of diseases due to insect bites. Reports of adverse skin reactions, as well as seizures in children, have created doubts over the safety of bug repellent with DEET.
However, experts claim that it only becomes dangerous when applied incorrectly. They also emphasize that the purpose of the DEET is to prevent insect bites and not to kill them. DEET has been found effective in preventing mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria.
When used incorrectly or swallowed accidentally, bug sprays can result in the following symptoms.
- temporary burning
- skin irritation
- hives
- skin redness
- blistering
- breathing difficulty
- coughing
- nausea
- stomach irritation
- vomiting
- seizures
- disorientation
How to Use Repellents Safely
Use repellent sprays properly and keep them away from children’s reach to avoid possible problems.
- Apply bug sprays containing DEET on clothes, instead of directly onto the skin.
- Parents should be the ones to put them on their children and avoid applying them on their hands because children tend to put their hands in or on their mouths.
- Follow the instructions on the label carefully. Make sure you check the proper re-application periods and age restrictions.
- Don’t apply the spray under the clothes.
- Avoid spraying on any open wound or near the mouth, eyes, and ears.
Alternatively, you can use sprays made from natural ingredients, such as citronella oil and lemon eucalyptus. These may not be as effective as sprays with DEET, but they’re safer for your health.
Why Pesticides are Dangerous to Your Health
While repellents are designed to prevent insects from biting people, pesticides are chemicals that are made to kill pests and bugs. Low exposure to correctly dispensed pesticides may not be an immediate problem, but prolonged exposure, over-application, mishandling, and wrong application have been tied to serious health issues. At home, they can also affect the quality of indoor air.
Pesticides contain dangerous compounds that can cause harmful, even lethal, effects.
Here are some of the harmful effects of pesticides:
- Respiratory tract irritation
- Eye irritation
- Skin irritation
- Tingling sensation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Seizure
- Kidney damage
- Muscular weakness
- Cancer
- Hormonal imbalance
- Death
How to Use Pesticides Safely
Sometimes, it may seem necessary to use pesticides to prevent infestations at home. However, you need to do it correctly to make sure that your exposure is minimized. It’s better to contact your local pest controller and leave the work to the professionals.
If you must do it on your own, here are some safety tips.
- Read the instructions on the product label carefully. You must follow the manufacturer’s directions strictly. It’s illegal to use any pesticide without following the directions on the label.
- If you need to mix or dilute the pesticide, do it outdoors.
- Make sure there’s proper ventilation inside the house if you’re going to use the product indoors. Open the windows and doors around the area you need to work on.
- Use proper protection, such as latex gloves.
- Disposed of containers after use and don’t store unused pesticide at home.
- If possible, try to use non-chemical, organic, and natural pesticides instead.
Pesticides and bug sprays can be harmful to health, especially when used contrary to the manufacturer’s instructions, such as incorrect dosage. Doing so can cause problems, from mild, such as skin irritation or redness, to severe health issues such as kidney damage and even death.
Keep your home clean as much as you can by dusting and vacuuming regularly. You can reduce your exposure to toxins by using green products made with natural ingredients. Make sure that they’re still kept out of reach of children.
Reading the product label and following the manufacturer’s directions strictly are necessary to ensure the safe use of the products, whether it’s a repellent or pesticide. If you need to address pest infestations at home, it’s better to call a professional pest control company.
