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HERE COME DA BUGS!!

by Dr. Paula

Have you been noticing that biting insects have been visiting earlier and earlier each year? You are not imagining things. Like all things weather related, El Nino strikes again, this time in it's creation of a warm wet environment for mosquitoes to breed early - as early as December of the year just passed! Expecting large hordes of biting insects, some carrying really ugly and dangerous diseases like Lyme disease and Equine encephalitis, it is never too early to make some decisions and purchases to protect yourselves and your families. Like wearing sunscreen, insect protection should be at the top of your checklist when your outdoor days begin.

The only proven effective and SAFE biting insect repellant is N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). Despite years of use (DEET was first developed in 1946 for the military and then registered for public use in 1957), there is no evidence of toxicity associated with DEET when used according to label directions. Although when misused, DEET has been implicated in seizures among children, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) section on Pesticides and Toxic Substances has said as recently as this years RED DOC (the EPA's re-registration eligibility report), that "the normal use of DEET does not present a health concern to the general U.S. population". Many of us are concerned about the use of chemically derived substances on our children's bodies, as well as the concern for the environment around us. DEET has been found to be slightly toxic to birds, fish, and aquatic invertebrates if they are exposed to significant quantities (as in dumping of industrial waste containing the product) and we should all be grateful for the agencies that watchdog for these situations and also read carefully the product instructions before using any DEET containing repellant. Of equally great concern is the amount of rumor and misinformation that surrounds this ingredient and the yearly wave of new claims by ineffective and often untested products that promise safety and effectiveness all wrapped up into one when tests have clearly proven them to be otherwise.

One such product line is Avon Skin So Soft line of products.. I recall years ago when the rumor about this "great new insect repellant" hit my neck of the woods, about the same time as Lyme disease was terrifying us all. My secretaries began a hot black market affair selling the product to fearful parents, unbeknownst to me (selling Girl Scout cookies for their children's troops was where I had intended to draw the retail line!). Once discovered, I made some calls to the Avon company only to be told that they were making "no official claims" regarding the repellant rumors about their product. That being insufficient to discourage many parents from begging for "just one bottle" I contacted Dr. Jonathan Day of the University of Florida, expert in mosquito and other vector-borne diseases and prevention. I was twice assured - first that citronella - the active ingredient in Avon Skin-So-Soft "repellents," was no match for real time mosquitoes carrying real time diseases. Second, he helped me understand the mechanism of action of DEET and the many miles of excellent safety experience and testing that went along with DEET's history. That put an end to the Avon episode for my office. On the same wave came the multiple devices claiming to repel insects, particularly the biting kind, some with and some without the addition of a jolt of electricity. Again, research indicated that none were effective at insect repellency, and in fact, in the case of the "bug zappers", the light generated by them actually attracted insects, including mosquitoes, who then found the waiting human blood feast that much more easily. So called "natural" repellents such as garlic, cayenne pepper, and vitamin B-1 are equally ineffective. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, heat, moisture, and lactic acid - substances emitted by all people regardless of what they eat. The reason DEET works is because it jams the insect sensory system so that movement towards the host ceases and there is no further attempt to blood feed until the DEET is cleared from the receptors - the amount of time is determined by the percentage of DEET applied.

Just about all the best research has been done at the SC Johnson Wax Entonmology Research Center, and the product they have produced for the last 40 years with an amazing safety record is marketed as "OFF" and "SKINTASTIC" brand repellants. If the label directions are followed carefully there is no reason to worry about toxicity and there is good reason to expect your family to be safe from the bites and diseases carried by common outdoor insects . In addition to the instructions required by law on the packaging there are several tips that particularly apply to use in children.

Spray children's clothing, including hats, and all exposed areas of the body before going outside and use a strength of DEET that applies to the conditions you are entering.
Spray repellant on your hands and then apply to your child's face rather than spray directly on them.
Only reapply DEET containing repellants when the number of hours exceeds the recommended number of hours for the particular strength of product used.
Take an indoor break before reapplying repellants to give the skin a chance to be washed of sweat residue that attracts the biting bugs in the first place.

There are also many practical tips that will help in minimizing bug activity for your family:

Use mosquito netting for all infants when outdoors. Spray the netting with repellant before use to add an extra measure of protection and minimize the chances of mosquitoes getting under the netting.
Avoid fragranced shampoos as their use may boost the number of mosquitoes swarming overhead.
Mosquitoes have excellent vision and are attracted to dark, solid shades more than lighter colored clothing.
Sand boxes located in damp, shady areas of the yard can result in puddles that trigger mosquito development. So can pools surrounded by evergreen type bushes. Proper drainage around pools and decks is a must to avoid the pooling that attracts mosquito families.
Woodpiles, potted plant trays, wet gutters and high moist grass all attract the nesting of biting bugs. A well mowed lawn and covered woodpile can help control this reservoir.
Hanging tire swings from trees or leaving water in the wading pool too long can create ideal environments for mosquito larval development. Drilling holes in the bottom of the tire will help prevent water accumulation.
Pup tents with rips and tears are a welcome invitation to mosquitoes, who can find and enter the smallest openings.
Dusk is peak feeding time for most biting bugs. Increasing efforts at that hour or taking an indoor break in activity can go a long way in avoiding insect bites.
Preparing for the fun of summer includes planning and anticipating the hazards that can ruin the good times. Parents need to be educated consumers in this and all child related areas.

Dr. Paula is a well-known and loved pediatrician in Manhattan. She is dedicated to helping you in your demanding job as a parent. She has her own Web site at DrPaula.com

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