Mosquito net
Mosquito nets (including mosquito nets or bed nets ) protect dormant people from contact with insects. They are mainly used to reduce the transmission of diseases by insects ( especially mosquitoes, sand flies and mosquitos ). Bed nets can prevent healthy people are infected by infectious vectors with pathogens and that ill patients to pass the pathogen to uninfected carriers. They are, among others, an important component of malaria prophylaxis.
Mosquito nets today consist of a finely mach ingen polyester or nylon mesh. The meshes are small enough to prevent the insects from entering. The smaller the mesh size, the greater the protection even against small insects (especially sand flies ), the lower but also ventilation and comfort. A mosquito net is attached like a tent over the couch. Since the insects can bite through the net or sting, it must not touch the body.
Mosquito nets treated with insecticides (English " Insecticide Treated Nets ", ITNs ) have been used since the 1980s for malaria prophylaxis. However, this insektizidbehandeltenen bed nets must be re- impregnated or replaced after a few washes. Meanwhile, longer-lasting impregnated nets have been developed (English " Long -lasting Insecticidal Mosquito Nets ", LLINs ). Here the insecticides are tied with a chemical binder that up to twenty washes or more than three years service life may be possible.
Most pyrethroids are used for insecticide-treated bed nets which deters mosquitoes, depending on the dose received, turn off or kill. The WHO recommends the pyrethroids permethrin, deltamethrin and alpha-cypermethrin.
Insecticide-treated bed nets are not only active against flying, but also against other people attacking insects such as fleas, bed bugs or blood-sucking assassin bugs ( Triatominae ).
As with the use of all insecticides also prevails in the treated bed nets with them the risk that the affected insects become resistant. It is therefore worked steadily to develop new, both chemical as well as biological insecticides that are safe enough for the user to be able to put them in bed nets can.
Alternatives
Mosquito nets hinder the air circulation, so their use can be uncomfortable, especially in tropical areas. Besides staying in air-conditioned rooms, there are, however, for the personal protection of a dormant people hardly comparable efficient alternatives.
Even highly effective repellents are rubbed off during sleep and lose so quickly to their protective effect.
Fly screens are often too wide mesh. In addition, the entry of insects through open doors is difficult to prevent.
Pyrethroids are also a deterrent in the gas phase for insects. Your release from incense coils, lamps or electrically heated evaporators can significantly reduce the random load. In higher concentrations, however, they may cause respiratory tract irritation, among other things, their use in the presence of pregnant women, infants and small children should be avoided.