To get rid of insects, a huge number of different products are used - from creams and crayons to highly toxic compounds, which can only be sprayed in special respirators. At home, poisoning with a cockroach repellent is most common. Modern insecticides belong to class 3 of dangerous substances and should not cause harm to the human body, but failure to follow instructions, storing these products in places accessible to children and pets, or simple carelessness cause intoxication - from mild illness to serious poisoning.
About poisons for cockroaches
Cockroaches are arthropod insects that have lived in human homes since cave times. They actively destroy food supplies, spoil food and household items, and are carriers of infectious diseases and parasites.
It is almost impossible to get rid of cockroaches without the use of special means. They multiply quickly, live for several years and are remarkably resistant to poisons, radiation and radiation.
Cockroach poison comes in different forms:
- insecticidal gels;
- aerosols;
- suspensions;
- crayons;
- traps;
- folk remedies.
Depending on the type and form, insecticides may contain dangerous substances such as chlorine, anabasine, organofluorine and other compounds that cause damage to the neuromuscular system of insects, damage their vital organs or lead to deprivation of the ability to reproduce.
Insecticide poisoning occurs most often due to:
- Failure to comply with safety precautions - when preparing or using solutions and aerosols. It is recommended to carry out the treatment of the premises using a respirator, in the absence of people and pets, with the windows open. Violation of any of these rules can lead to poisoning. Most often, at home, poisoning occurs when spraying aerosols in an enclosed space or inhaling fumes during the preparation of solutions and surface treatment.
- If the substance gets on food, water, clothing or bedding, consuming food or water with insecticides can cause serious poisoning, and contact with clothing and bedding can cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.
- By negligence - such poisoning occurs when household insecticides get into the stomach or mucous membranes of children who find aerosols, pencils or dry mixtures and try them or spray them near the face. Unfortunately, it is precisely such poisonings that occur most often and are the most severe. No less often, pets suffer from poisoning - cats, dogs, who also need help and treatment.
What is Dichlorvos
A universal, broad-spectrum insecticide that has been successful for several decades is Dichlorvos aerosol. The action of the drug is based on chemical compounds that have a nerve-paralytic effect on pests such as cockroaches, bedbugs, ants, moths and the like. According to the GOST classification of the hazards of chemical substances, modern Dichlorvos based on pyrethroids occupies the third level out of four and is classified as moderately hazardous. This means that aerosol poisoning is unlikely if the drug is handled correctly.
The “Soviet” version of Dichlorvos with dichlorovinyl phosphate is recognized as toxic to humans and is now prohibited for production and use.
Currently, the name “Dichlorvos” refers to a number of different insecticidal sprays and aerosols
Signs of poisoning from cockroaches
You can suspect poisoning from cockroaches based on the following signs:
- The use of cockroach repellents or possible access to them is the main and most important sign. Most often, symptoms of illness appear on the day of application of insecticides or 1-2 days after that. Poisoning often occurs in children who access chemicals and play with cockroach traps or insect chalk;
- When intoxicated, patients experience specific symptoms that help determine the cause of poisoning.
Almost all toxic substances have an irritating effect on human skin and mucous membranes, and when they enter the bloodstream they cause disruption of the central nervous system. Insecticides affect the neural membranes of cells in the brain and spinal cord, provoking the development of pathological excitation, and in severe poisoning, inhibition of the nervous system. Some substances can also cause disruption of the cardiovascular system, increased blood pressure and asthma attacks.
Composition and properties
Many people remember Dichlorvos as it was in Soviet times, but this version has long ceased to be produced. The fact is that the drug contained dimethyldichlorovinyl phosphate, which effectively destroyed colonies of parasites, even the largest of them. The chemical compound had a negative effect not only on pests, but also on humans: it caused serious poisoning and a general deterioration in health. Therefore, the chemical was forced out of the market.
With the development of technology, manufacturers have been able to create the safest drugs that fight insects well without having a negative effect on humans.
Currently, the composition of Dichlorvos has changed greatly. Each manufacturer makes a unique set of components, but all such insecticides contain the following chemicals:
- cypermethrin;
- tetramethrin;
- permethrin;
- piperonyl butoxide.
Cypermethrin is a popular insecticide of contact action, that is, to obtain an effect it must get onto the chitinous cover and into the respiratory tract.
The active formula blocks the nervous system of cockroaches, bedbugs, ants, flies, fleas, disrupting the transmission of nerve impulses and thus paralyzing the pests. Unable to move, search for food, or breathe, the parasites die.
Also, third-party components that do not affect the effectiveness are added to the drug:
- fragrances;
- ethanol;
- preservatives;
- stabilizers.
Dichlorvos acts for a week and then disappears. It is necessary to carry out repeated treatment if the population is large. But the effect is noticeable almost immediately: already on the second day after spraying.
The chemical is available in the form of sprays with a volume of 10 to 30 ml, in canisters up to 10 liters. The convenient shape allows you to kill insects yourself.
There is no exact answer to the question of whether Dichlorvos is harmful to humans. If used correctly and if you are not allergic to the components, the chemical will be safe.
However, if you violate the rules of use, you can become poisoned with Dichlorvos and get unpleasant symptoms.
Symptoms of cockroach poisoning
Symptoms of poisoning depend on the type and form of the insecticidal substance, the method of its entry into the body and the severity of intoxication.
If poison gets on the skin or mucous membranes, severe irritation, redness of the skin, profuse salivation and lacrimation, and pain occur.
If a large amount of the product gets on the skin and mucous membranes or it is highly toxic, then burns form on the damaged area, the skin around it turns red, swelling appears, and an allergic reaction is possible.
If the product gets into the eyes, a burn to the retina may occur. If the damage is superficial, then the main symptoms are watery eyes, pain and redness of the eye. If signs of visual impairment appear, you should seek medical help as soon as possible, as there is a risk of complete loss of vision due to a retinal burn.
Most often, insecticides enter the human body through particles of inhaled air. This type of poisoning is characterized by general symptoms and specific ones that occur when using certain anti-cockroach remedies.
Common symptoms of cockroach poisoning:
- headache, dizziness;
- impaired coordination of movements;
- nausea and vomiting;
- weakness;
- coldness of the extremities.
After a few hours or the next day, the patient may experience fever, blurred vision, indigestion, pain or cramping in the abdomen.
Depending on the type of toxic substance and the method of its application, the following specific symptoms may occur:
- for chlorine compounds subject to inhalation of particles - cough, shortness of breath, vomiting, increased salivation, chest or abdominal pain, impaired coordination of movements, loss of consciousness, convulsions;
- for anabasine - profuse vomiting, a burning sensation in the oropharynx, changes in the diameter of the pupils, convulsions and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eye and oral cavity;
- for phosphorus compounds - increased body temperature, shortness of breath, speech impairment, blurred vision.
Precautionary measures
After carefully studying the complete information about this drug, you should take all safety precautions. This will guarantee that the desired goal will be achieved and new problems will not arise. List of necessary actions:
- First you need to make sure that there are parasites. A thorough examination of all family members is mandatory.
- To carry out the procedure, create the possibility of ventilation, or better yet, carry it out outside the house.
- Make sure there is no intolerance to Dichlorvos. To do this, a test is carried out: apply a small amount of spray to the skin of the elbow or the back of the hand and leave for 30 minutes. If there is no allergic reaction on the skin or in the person’s well-being, then you can proceed.
- Be sure to prepare the necessary items in advance: a robe or sheet to protect the body;
- a durable, leak-proof plastic bag that fits your head size;
- latex gloves;
- respirator or medical mask;
- glasses;
- cloth headband;
- comb for combing out dead parasites.
Strict adherence to all recommended points will ensure the desired result with the greatest safety for you.
First aid for poisoning from cockroaches
If you poisoned cockroaches and poisoning occurred, first aid should be provided immediately, at home.
If the product gets on the skin and mucous membranes, wash them with plenty of clean water and soda solution.
If vapors are inhaled, the victim should be taken out into fresh air as soon as possible, given water, and inhaled with a steam solution or soda solution (1 teaspoon per liter of water).
If a toxic substance enters the gastrointestinal tract, the patient is given as much liquid as possible and vomiting is induced to lavage the stomach.
It is mandatory to take sorbents - activated carbon, Polysorb, Enterosgel, Smecta. After this you should drink a lot..
In case of mild poisoning, such measures are sufficient for the complete recovery of the patient. The condition of the poisoned person must be monitored for 2-3 days in order to notice symptoms of deterioration in time and consult a doctor.
Important! It is imperative to immediately seek medical help if a child under 6-7 years of age, a pregnant woman, or people with chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, liver or kidneys have been poisoned. Urgent hospitalization is also necessary in case of loss of consciousness, seizures or blurred vision.
If you do not know what drug the patient was poisoned with, it is better to call an ambulance. In case of intoxication with certain compounds, only timely qualified medical care can save life and health, for example, in case of sulfuric acid poisoning.
How to choose a remedy for cockroaches and not get poisoned?
When choosing a product to combat cockroaches or any other insects, it is important to follow the following rules:
- Buy only well-known products produced by official manufacturing companies. Under no circumstances should you purchase unknown solutions or powders produced by someone unknown and use them to get rid of insects.
- Before use, read the instructions and follow them exactly.
- Do not leave products within reach of children and pets.
Today there are many effective and safe remedies for cockroaches. By following the instructions and not forgetting about the safety of yourself and your family members, you can easily and quickly get rid of any insects.
Contraindications
However, there is a category of people who absolutely cannot use this drug, even if all safety points are observed. If the infected person is on the following list, then you should stop using Dichlorvos:
- Small children;
- people with respiratory diseases (asthma, asthmatic bronchitis);
- people with diseases or damage to the skin of the head and/or face (eczema, dermatitis, abrasions, scratches, bruises);
- women who are breastfeeding or pregnant;
- individual allergic reaction to this drug.
We recommend reading: how to safely and effectively get rid of lice during pregnancy.
