Abstract:
A field trial was undertaken in order to determine
the efficacy of DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) impregnated anklets, wristbands, shoulder and pocket fabric strips
against mosquito vectors of disease. The present study was
conducted in the urban locality of Pondicherry, India. Human
test subjects were exposed to natural populations of
mosquitoes for a 12 h (18.00–06.00) night time period. The
fabric strips (anklets, wristbands, shoulder, and pocket strips)
were impregnated with DEET at two different concentrations
of 1.5 mg/cm2 and 2.0 mg/cm2
. The results clearly revealed
that DEET-impregnated anklets, wristbands, shoulder and
pocket fabric strips were found more effective against
mosquitoes remarkably. The DEET-impregnated anklets,
wristbands, shoulder and pocket fabric strips at a concentration of 2 mg/cm2 provided 5 h complete protection against
mosquitoes bites and the reduction of man-landing rate
varied between 65.85 and 100%. However, DEETimpregnated fabric strips at a concentration of 1.5 mg/cm2
provided 4 h complete protection against mosquito bites and
the reduction of man-landing rate varied between 51.21 and
100%. The final results clearly demonstrate that repellent
activity of DEET-impregnated anklets, wristbands, shoulder,
and pocket strips were dose-dependent. Certainly, the DEETimpregnated fabric strips can be used as an effective
potential personal protection measure in order to avoid those
insects/mosquitoes that prefer to feed outdoors or those that
feed in the early evening
