As soon as warm days begin, countless different insects appear, including mosquitoes. Swelling, tumors, allergies, itching - all these are consequences of mosquito bites. In addition, mosquitoes can carry quite serious diseases, so everyone wants to protect themselves and their family from the presence of these small, but far from harmless creatures.
It is for this purpose that manufacturers produce various fumigators. Are they really capable of repelling mosquitoes? More on that later.
- 4.1 Operating principle
The principle of operation of fumigators
There are different types of mosquito fumigators on sale. They all have the same principle of operation - a working device distributes chemicals in the air to repel and kill insects. Depending on the substances used in electrofumigators, their use either affects the nervous system of insects or affects the respiratory system.
The power of the devices does not depend on how the fumigator works - from the mains, battery or accumulator: any energy source allows you to heat the device to the desired temperature.
In order for a fumigator, for example, Raptor, to protect against mosquitoes, you need to attach a container with liquid to it or insert a plate, and then plug it into an outlet or connect it to another power source.
Insecticides for electrofumigators, which is better
Insecticides are liquid chemicals that are used to disinfect premises to kill insects such as mosquitoes and flies.
Those insecticides that enter the insect's body in a gaseous state are fumigants.
Among them are:
- Natural insecticides – peritrins. They are obtained from certain plants by extraction.
- Synthetic insecticides – pyrethroids. Pyrethroids are isolated from esters of various acids.
Natural fumigants are considered the safest for the human body. The use of artificial insecticides is widespread in industrial production.
Insecticidal liquids
Among the components of liquids for fumigators, there are various combinations.
The main elements are considered to be:
- prallethrin,
- transfluthrin,
- citronella extract.
Plates
Other substances are used to make plates:
- natural pyrethrum,
- Thiamethoxam.
What are they?
There are several types of mosquito fumigators. Their main difference is the heating activation principle:
- Pyrotechnic devices. This type of mosquito fumigator is a plate or spiral made of wood flour, onto which a special liquid has already been applied. The plate (or spiral) is set on fire. It begins to smolder, emitting fragrant smoke.
- Electric fumigators. Depending on the model, devices can be battery-powered or mains-powered. Plates impregnated with a special composition, or bottles containing a liquid toxic to insects, are brought into contact with a microresistor, which is then heated to 150°C. When heated, the repellent begins to evaporate, affecting mosquitoes.
- Simple products. These are anti-mosquito candles and polymer lanterns that are heated by a paraffin candle. A plate impregnated with insecticide is placed on the upper platform of the lantern. Simple products are acceptable where it is not possible to use mobile electric fumigators.
Electrical devices
A separate category is light and ultrasonic devices. They also work from the mains, but affect mosquitoes not with vapors or gas, but with high-frequency sound and light.
Operating principle and efficiency of devices depending on type
The main principle of the effect of a fumigator is the heating of active substances with its subsequent evaporation into the environment and air. Such devices can be used not only indoors, but also outdoors. By purchasing a high-quality device, you get a fairly effective product that helps you effectively fight mosquitoes and other types of insects.
An electric fumigator is a device based on a heating element mounted inside a plastic casing. The type and shape of the device influence what type of insecticide will be used - liquid or plate cartridge.
Speaking of the pyrotechnic version, these are smoldering spirals that are pre-impregnated with a special composition. Most often, the presented device is used outdoors.
With liquid
The specialized liquid used in fumigators to kill and repel mosquitoes is contained in transparent, removable cans. The service life of one can is about 2 months.
Characteristics of the active substance:
- Completely odorless.
- Does not have an irritating effect on the respiratory tract of people and animals.
Operating principle
Etok is the main component of the contents of the cans. The insecticide was developed by Japanese scientists. As the device heats up, an insecticidal substance begins to be released from the can in small portions. After just a few minutes, you can see the effectiveness of the fumigator: mosquitoes begin to fly randomly, rise to the ceiling, and then die. Paralysis caused by exposure to ethoc leads to rapid death.
The use of devices with a spray can will help free the room not only from mosquitoes, but also from other harmful insects - fleas, bed bugs, etc. At the same time, it is important to know how to use the fumigator correctly so as not to harm yourself, your family, or your pets.
Application procedure
Fumigators with liquid are very easy to use: the device is plugged into an outlet and left to work until the morning. If there were mosquitoes in the room, after 5-7 minutes you can’t hear their squeaks. After half an hour, all the harmful insects in the room usually die. Even if you leave a window or window open, other mosquitoes will not fly into the room.
According to the instructions, there are some restrictions on the use of fumigators of this type:
- It is not permissible to use devices to combat insects if there are children under 3 years old in the room.
- It is prohibited to turn on fumigators in rooms whose area is 5 sq.m. and less.
- While the device is operating, you need to leave a window or vent open to allow fresh air to enter.
- If the room is not ventilated at night, you need to use the fumigator 30 minutes before bedtime and then turn it off.
Important ! Very rarely, but there are cases when a person cannot tolerate this. This may manifest itself as dizziness, headache, and weakness. If this has been noticed, it is unacceptable to use the product further.
Liquid
Causes of midges
These insects can often appear in the house with brought fruits and vegetables. If indoors they find a suitable environment for feeding and reproduction (spoiled and overripe foods, a trash can, indoor plants with moist soil), then their numbers quickly increase in a few days.
Such insects do not pose a danger to humans, but they can spread harmful bacteria by flying from contaminated areas. In addition, a swarm of midges in the kitchen is not very pleasant for the owners.
According to taste preferences and habitat, house flies are classified into the following types:
- Food Drosophila - settle in cereals, vegetables, food waste. They are black or burgundy in color. It’s quite easy to get rid of this type by doing a general cleaning of the room and keeping it clean.
- Clothes live in things that are stored for too long, laying eggs there. To prevent their appearance, it is recommended to put various insect repellent scents in your cabinets, which are available in stores, or use herbs with a strong smell: lavender, dry nut leaves, etc.
- Mermen - live in damp places in the house: kitchen, bathroom, bathhouse. To get rid of such pests, it is necessary to monitor the humidity in the premises, do regular ventilation, and also use folk or chemical remedies.
Drosophila midges are small two-winged insects that reproduce rapidly under favorable conditions; they are popularly called “wine” or “fruit” flies.
Interesting!
The nutrient medium for laying larvae during the reproduction of fruit flies is often used tea leaves poured into indoor flowers. It is better to prevent this by adjusting the watering of the plants so that the top layer of soil dries well.
Drosophila midges
With plates
Mosquito repellent plates have been known to consumers for many years as an effective remedy against bloodsuckers. The plates are sold with or without a fumigator. In order for them to retain their properties for a long time, each must be hermetically packaged.
Operating principle
Fumigator plates have the same principle of operation as liquid. To do this, the plates are impregnated with an insecticide containing ethoc, which has a nerve-paralytic effect on insects. When the device heats up, the substance begins to be released into the air and kills insects.
On a note ! If the room is large, you can turn on several fumigators at the same time - this will help increase the effectiveness of mosquito control.
Usage
Ease of use is the main difference between fumigators of this type. First, you need to remove the packaging from the mosquito repellent plate. Next, it is installed in the fumigator, for which the device is equipped with a special cell, and connected to an outlet.
If the windows or vents are open in the room all night, you can leave the device working all night. If the room is closed until the morning, you can leave the fumigator working in it for 30-60 minutes and turn it off before going to bed. If you close windows and doors during the treatment period, the effect will increase many times.
On a note ! The plates must be changed after 10 hours of operation - during this time the substance will completely disappear, so it makes no sense to continue using the device against mosquitoes.
Danger to humans and animals
Both the liquid and the mosquito repellent plates contain ethoc. This substance is low-hazard and, if used correctly, will not cause discomfort or poor health.
Usage
To ensure that the use of devices with this substance does not cause harm, the plates and liquid contain a minimal amount of ethoc. According to sanitary doctors, neither this nor other additionally used substances are dangerous for people and animals. Moreover, this statement is supported by sanitary and epidemiological examination, which such products must undergo at the manufacturer’s plant.
Although there are no contraindications to the use of fumigators, do not forget that chemical substances cannot be called safe. Manufacturers do not recommend using the devices indoors if there are pets, pregnant or lactating women, small children, or adults with various allergic diseases.
How to use in an apartment or house - the main rules
To guarantee the safe operation of fumigators, a fire certificate must be supplied with them. Before using it, you must carefully study the instructions and strictly follow the rules specified there.
According to manufacturers' recommendations, it is best to turn on fumigators for several hours, and then turn them off for a certain period. If you ignore this condition, then there is a risk of feeling the harmful effects of chemical components on people and pets. In addition, there is a risk of the device burning out.
Before turning on, as well as after turning off, the room should be ventilated. If there are a large number of pests inside, it is allowed to turn on the device at night, provided the room is ventilated in the morning.
The best mosquito fumigators
Today, Raptor is among the most popular mosquito repellents. The drug is available in different forms - plates, liquids. The effect of Raptor on mosquitoes depends on the concentration of the active substance. So, Turbo liquid contains 2 times more etok than other types of similar products from this company (a total of 6 types of liquid are produced)
Fumitox is no less effective. The fumigator comes complete with a bottle, the volume of which is designed to work for a month. The drug contains an antioxidant, organic solvents, and pralletrin.
The main difference between the plates and Taiga mosquitoes is the most affordable price. One plate remains effective for 12 hours. The package contains 10 plates, which are respectively enough for 120 hours of operation.
Anti-mosquito net – is it necessary?
Anti-mosquito nets can be installed as additional protection against mosquitoes. Some people may suffer from individual intolerance to the active substances in the plates or liquids that are used in combination with the fumigator.
The most common symptoms that indicate an increased level of sensitivity are:
- dizziness,
- Skin irritations,
- Itching on the body
- Headache.
If you notice the presence of at least one of the above-mentioned symptoms in one of the residents of the apartment when you turn on the fumigator, then it is best to turn off the device and choose another method of fighting mosquitoes - one of them is installing an anti-mosquito net on the windows.
Advantages and disadvantages
The use of fumigators to protect against mosquitoes has a number of advantages:
- No contact of harmful substances with the human or animal body.
- Protecting not just one person, but everyone in the room.
- The ability to use devices not only at home, but also in the field.
- Low cost.
- High efficiency.
- There is always an assortment of consumables - plates, spray cans, mosquito candles.
Unfortunately, the use of fumigators also has disadvantages. These include:
- Quite a strong smell in flavored cartridges.
- The need to recharge autonomous models.
- Low-quality products can have a very hot and even melted body, which can cause a fire.
Avoiding problems
To eliminate the risk of certain problems when using fumigators against bloodsuckers, you need to pay attention to the following basic operating rules:
- Before connecting the device, carefully read the instructions supplied with it,
- Be sure to check whether the power sockets are in good working order,
- Avoid using the device in unventilated rooms; at night it is best to leave the window slightly open,
- Do not take the body of the fumigator plugged into the socket with a wet hand,
- It is best to operate the device several hours before bedtime (no more than two or three); leaving the fumigator running all night is not recommended.
- Do not place the device at a distance of less than one and a half meters from the sleeping bed,
- Premises with a large area require the use of several devices at once,
- The pyrotechnic type can only be used outdoors,
- If you feel discomfort or health problems when the active substances evaporate, you need to stop using it, and if severe symptoms occur, immediately contact a specialist,
- The fumigator and consumables should be stored in a place that is inaccessible to small children and pets.
- Try to exclude the possibility of contact of records and liquid with food and utensils.
Safety of children, pregnant and lactating women, and pets
In a house with children, pregnant and lactating women, as well as pets, where the fumigator is turned on, increased safety measures must be observed. In this case, it is recommended to use the device for several hours and only in the absence of children, pregnant and lactating women, as well as pets, after which the room must be ventilated. To prevent mosquitoes from flying into the room again, mosquito nets are installed on the windows. You can only leave the device overnight using special (for children) plates or liquids and with the windows open.
The safety of children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as pets in a room with a working fumigator is achieved by following a few simple rules:
- turn on the device at a distance of no closer than two meters from the sleeping place,
- if there are signs such as sneezing, tearing, increased anxiety, turn off the device and ventilate the room well,
- close aquariums with fish, snails and other living creatures while the fumigator is operating,
- put cages with birds and decorative rodents in another room,
- dogs and cats should also not be located near the operating device,
- observe the necessary electrical and fire safety measures,
- use devices only from proven and well-known brands,
- Do not use pyrotechnic anti-mosquito devices to protect children; consider alternative measures.
