How to protect yourself from ticks using Reftamid Anti-Tick aerosol

01/26/2019 Category: Pest Control Author: Larisa Solopova

It's nice to relax in nature in the summer. But sometimes midges and mosquitoes darken these happy moments. In this case, insect repellents can come to the rescue. Reftamid repellents began to be produced more than 20 years ago. During this time, scientists have developed other, more modern means of protection against insects. However, Reftamid is still very popular today.

• 2 Forms of release of the drug
  2.1 Anti-tick agents
• 2.2 Mosquito control products

Reftamid Anti-mite - pros and cons

The acaricidal agent is intended to protect people from ixodid ticks. Parasites are dangerous because they carry pathogens of encephalitis, borreliosis, typhus and other diseases, which in some cases lead to disability and death. To prevent a bite and not get sick, it is enough to treat all clothes and shoes with this aerosol. It has a nerve-paralytic effect. Upon contact with it, the parasite receives a dose of toxic substance, which is enough to cause loss of orientation. After two minutes, the tick’s limbs are paralyzed and it becomes detached from things, and after five minutes it dies.

Reftamide Anti-mite is applied only to clothing, shoes and fabric items

Aerosol advantages:

• simple application - it is enough to treat all the clothes that a person is going to wear while visiting places with a high risk of tick bites;
• accessibility - the cost of drugs is 120–180 rubles, they are sold in pharmacies and other retail outlets;
• effectiveness - the composition of the drugs, when used correctly, guarantees protection against blood-sucking parasites for the entire period specified in the instructions.

The drug also has disadvantages:

• not suitable for children, pregnant and lactating women, but their clothes may be handled by other people;
• toxicity - the active component, when ingested, belongs to hazard class II, and when in contact with human skin - to III (moderately dangerous).

Composition and types of the drug

The aerosol manufacturer produces several types of tick repellents, including a repellent that repels blood-sucking insects, which is also applied to the skin. But its effectiveness is not one hundred percent, so to protect against parasite bites, use products that contain the word “anti-mite” in their names. All of them are based on toxic pyrethroids alpha-cypermethrin and/or imiprothrin, so avoid contact with the skin and mucous membranes. To do this, handle things not on a person, use protective gloves and a mask.

Treat your clothes with Reftamide Anti-Tick when walking in areas where these parasites live to protect yourself from bites.

Reftamid Anti-mite taiga

The active substance - alpha-cypermethrin - has a contact and intestinal effect on the parasite, ensuring its almost immediate death. Apply the product to clothing and shoes from a distance of 10–20 cm, and only wear them after they have completely dried.

It is most thoroughly sprayed on the cuffs of shirts, the tops of socks and trousers, and the bottom of trouser legs, since from here it is easiest for ticks to reach human skin in order to attach themselves.

After going to a dangerous area inhabited by ticks, things are shaken and hidden in a sealed bag. The next day they are no longer processed, since the protective effect lasts for 10–15 days. The spray is suitable for protection against ticks during picnics and walks in forests, parks and other areas during the period of parasite activity.

Reftamide Anti-mite has a nerve-paralytic effect on parasites, i.e. causes paralysis and death

Table: composition of aerosol Reftamid taiga

Reftamid Antiklesch extra (strengthened)

It has a similar effect to the previous product, but has an enhanced composition. Designed for anyone who plans to visit places with a large number of parasites, especially for people who regularly do this as part of their job, for example, foresters or geologists.

Reftamide Anti-mite is applied only to clothing, avoiding contact with skin and mucous membranes.

Table: composition of the drug Reftamide Antiklesch extra

Upon contact with the active substance of the aerosol, the functions of the nervous system of insects are disrupted. This leads to increased release of acetylcholine, severe agitation and subsequent poisoning, paralysis and death of the parasite.

Table: description of the substances included in Reftamide

Forms of release of the drug

Reftamide is produced in different release forms. If it is intended to combat ticks, it is sold in the form of an aerosol spray. To repel mosquitoes, products such as plates and spirals are produced.

Reftamide has a long duration of action. If you spray your clothes with it, the effect lasts up to 20–25 days. The drug can act for up to four hours when applied to the skin. It is not recommended to use it more than three times a day.

When ticks are active, repellents begin to be used in April. They are especially recommended to be sprayed in places with the greatest prevalence of borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis. The manufacturer, however, does not guarantee 100% protection against parasites. After being in the forest, it is imperative to look around and check your clothes and shoes for ticks.

Reftamid repellents have a specific odor, so before using them it is necessary to exclude the possibility of an allergy. To do this, apply a small amount of the drug to the bend of your elbow and check for the presence/absence of a reaction after half an hour.

The price of drugs varies depending on the form of release. The cheapest among them are plates (from 24 rubles), the most expensive are Extra cylinders (about 180 rubles).

Anti-tick products

There are several types of Reftamid aerosols that fight ticks (they are applied by spraying exclusively on clothing):

• Anti-mite. The repellent is available in metal cans. Anti-mite contains a new active substance, which is more effective than those contained in other drugs. The product works perfectly against taiga and forest ticks.

  
  The active ingredient in the Anti-Tick aerosol, alphacypermethrin, provides protection against forest and taiga ticks

• Reinforced. The name of the aerosol speaks for itself. The drug effectively fights ticks. It is applied in the same way as the previous one - only on clothes. If the method of application is violated, the likelihood of ticks being sucked on increases.

  
  Reftamide Enhanced repels both ticks and mosquitoes, horseflies, fleas

• Maximum. The principle of action of this drug is similar to the previous one. It features improved protection against ticks, midges and mosquitoes.

  
  Reftamide Maximum is intended to protect people from blood-sucking insects

Each drug of this type has instructions and a method of use. For aerosol products they are approximately the same:

1. Shake the can before use.
2. Treat clothes and other fabric products outdoors (in a place protected from the wind).
3. Spray the product onto the products from a distance of 20–25 cm. The total processing time for trousers and shirts is no more than 2 minutes. Spray the product especially carefully on clothing around the ankles, shins, knees, hips, shoulder girdle and areas where ticks and fleas may have access to the body.
4. Dry the clothes and put them on over your underwear.

The duration of protective action against ticks and fleas is up to 15 days. Clothes should be re-treated after 10–15 days or after washing. Violation of the rules of use may lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the repellent. One person per day should use a balloon with a total volume of no more than 300 ml.

Clothing should not be treated on a person. It is permissible to put it on only after it has completely dried. In addition, do not forget that the product is toxic and flammable!

Mosquito repellents

Manufacturers of Reftamid products have developed other products specifically for repelling mosquitoes at home:

• Plates. One package contains ten such devices, and two are given as a gift. The plates only work when the heater is plugged into an outlet. Coverage area - at least 13 m2. The drug begins to act within ten minutes. The plates are very convenient to use in the summer, when the windows are left open at night in the heat. Such products are stored only in packaging, away from food and children. One of the advantages of using the drug is the absence of odor.

  
  Reftamide mosquito repellent plates should only be used in well-ventilated areas

• Spirals. Similar to plates in the nature of their action. At the same time, they have a large coverage area - up to 50 m2. If the plates are disposable, then the action of the spiral can be stopped and resumed if desired. The service life of one such device is 7–8 hours. The spiral can be blown out to stop smoldering and removed until next use. Precautions are simple: keep away from children and use in ventilated areas.

  
  One package contains 15 Reftamid anti-mosquito coils

Manufacturers also took care of children. A special children's series of Reftamide with the scent of vanilla was released for them. She works more carefully and delicately. Children's Reftamide can be used from the age of three, treating only the child's clothing.

Children's Reftamid provides protection against mosquitoes for two hours

Instructions for use

Only spray clothes. Use it at ambient temperatures above +10 °C. Operating procedure:

1. Prepare clothes and shoes in which you plan to go to the forest or park - a shirt or jacket with long sleeves, trousers, high boots, a hat.
2. Choose a suitable place for processing things outdoors (protected from the wind) or in the house - a ventilated living space, a balcony.
3. For safety, wear gloves and a mask.
4. Lay out or hang things up.
5. Shake the aerosol canister.
6. Spray the product onto clothes and shoes from a distance of about 20 cm. Hold the can at arm's length. Process one item for 2 minutes (no more).
7. Dry the clothes and then use them.
8. Wash the hands.

Fabric items and clothing can be re-treated no earlier than after 10 days, since the protective time of the drug indicated by the manufacturer is from 10 to 15 days, provided that the items are stored in a closed plastic bag. The maximum consumption of the product is one cylinder per day per person.

If the storage conditions of the drug or the method of application are violated, the risk of tick suction increases.

Precautionary measures

To avoid the dangerous consequences of a bite without harm to health, follow the following precautions when using chemicals:

• do not spray products near fire, do not smoke, do not expose to heat or direct sunlight;
• do not disassemble the aerosol can;
• do not use the spray in the presence of children and do not put it in their hands; it is also better to remove pets from the premises;
• observe the temperature conditions and storage periods indicated on the cylinder;
• process clothes outdoors, for example, on a balcony;
• Before applying the chemical, be sure to take off your clothes;
• do not allow the product to come into contact with the skin and mucous membranes, do not inhale it;
• Wear acaricide-treated clothing only over underwear.

Contraindications and possible side effects

The use of the product is not recommended for nursing and pregnant women and children. People with sensitive skin should be especially careful and careful when spraying the spray. Even minor contact with the skin causes allergic reactions and pain. It is important to quickly wash off the drug with water.

The following side effects may occur if chemical vapors are inhaled or come into contact with skin:

• convulsions, trembling of limbs;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• increased lacrimation and salivation.

First aid for poisoning:

1. Hang the victim out into the air.
2. Give plenty of water to drink and take activated charcoal (if ingested).
3. Wash eyes and skin with plenty of water and soap.

If symptoms of poisoning appear, seek medical help.

Contraindications and precautions

No matter how effective repellents are, all of them have contraindications because they contain chemicals. They must be used with extreme caution:

• pregnant women,
• nursing mothers,
• people prone to allergies,
• people with skin diseases.

Due to their age, children have a weak immune system, so it is not recommended to use repellents on them. By spraying the drug on children's clothing, parents risk the health of their child.

There are the following safety measures to avoid negative consequences from the use of Reftamide:

• Do not spray the aerosol near an open fire,
• If the product gets into your eyes, rinse your eyes quickly with water.
• Do not disassemble an empty container, and do not let children play with the drug, since the packaging is under pressure,
• avoid contact of repellent with mouth, eyes, respiratory organs and wounds,
• Do not store the cylinder in direct sunlight and allow heating above 40 °C,
• It is prohibited to process clothing on a person.