Mosquito Control

That high-pitched buzz never fails to evoke a mixture of annoyance, apprehension and fear – a mosquito is in your midst! Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance, they are also potentially a health hazard as they act as a medium which carries and spreads disease. Thankfully, there are numerous chemical, natural and physical methods you can employ to combat the little beasts.

By far the most effective way to battle mosquitoes is using a chemical repellent. DEET, the active ingredient in most repellents, works by helping to mask our naturally occurring smells, primarily CO2 and lactic acid, from hungry mosquitoes on the prowl. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the percentage of DEET, the longer and more effective the protection.

"In a pinch, try dabbing a small amount of toothpaste on a fresh wound – the fluoride acts as an antihistamine to quell your immune system’s itchy response."

For children anything less than 10 per cent is usually considered safe, just be extra careful during application to make sure none is orally ingested. OFF! (7.5 per cent DEET), a popular Western brand, is available in cream and spray form at Watson’s stores for RMB 15 and advertises protection for up to five hours. Stronger varieties (more than 25 per cent DEET) are available through www.parkwaycommunitypharmacy.com. The pleasant-smelling Chinese equivalent, wen bu ding (4 per cent DEET), is readily accessible at many local supermarkets or pharmacies for RMB 10.

White flower oil, or bai hua you (RMB 25), is a very popular ointment used both as a repellent and an after-bite treatment, utilising the active natural ingredients of eucalyptus and menthol. It’s widely available in pharmacies and, as with all other mentholated ointments, it can also help soothe mosquito bites. In a pinch, try dabbing a small amount of toothpaste on a fresh wound – the fluoride acts as an antihistamine to quell your immune system’s itchy response.

For less bodily invasive control methods, anti-mosquito pads are available at Watson’s (RMB 10 for a box of 12). These DEET-covered pads are perfect to stick to your bed’s headboard at night. However, though they’re very effective, they are not advisable for small children due to the chemical fumes they release. Alternatively, plug-ins are commonly found in local supermarkets in replaceable bottle and pad varieties for RMB 18 and RMB 20 respectively. Anti-mosquito incense coils are usually found on the store shelf next to the plug-ins, but experts advise avoiding these devices where possible – one coil can emit as much formaldehyde as the equivalent of 50 cigarettes.

If chemical or natural products fail to do the trick, the last line of defence is to put a physical barrier between you and the unbearable arthropods. Carrefour carries a line of mosquito netting for beds and cribs (for around RMB 200). While they won’t win any awards for aesthetics, they are extremely effective for night time protection.

If it’s a brute force approach you prefer, pick up an electrified tennis racket (RMB 30 at your local supermarket). There are few things in life as satisfying as hearing the sharp crack of electricity as your Federer-esque forehand snuffs a winged pest out of its worldly existence. It’s a jungle out there; be prepared and you’ll make it through mosquito season less itchy and more happy.