Reduction of mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) attacks on a human subject by combination of wind and vapor-phase DEET repellent

In a Central Michigan wetland setting, air drawn through a DEET-impregnated screen using an electric fan and projected toward a human subject significantly reduced mosquito orientation by 74%, landing by 75%, and probing by 70%, relative to no applied wind or DEET. The DEET vapor effect was signific...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of medical entomology Vol. 39; no. 6; p. 935
Main Authors Hoffmann, Eric J, Miller, James R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.11.2002
Subjects
Animals
Culicidae - pathogenicity
DEET - therapeutic use
Humans
Insect Bites and Stings - prevention & control
Insect Repellents - toxicity
Michigan
Wind
Michigan
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Summary:In a Central Michigan wetland setting, air drawn through a DEET-impregnated screen using an electric fan and projected toward a human subject significantly reduced mosquito orientation by 74%, landing by 75%, and probing by 70%, relative to no applied wind or DEET. The DEET vapor effect was significant as revealed by a statistically significant wind/DEET interaction. The wind speed at the downwind human subject was 0.6 m/s and the DEET vapor concentration was estimated at 2 microg/liter air. We suggest a combination of directed wind and volatile repellent might be developed as a mosquito deterrent strategy for the backyard setting.
ISSN:0022-2585
DOI:10.1603/0022-2585-39.6.935