Whether you are planning a day on the lake or a camping trip in the woods, chances are you will not leave the house without spraying on insect repellent.
Insect bites are not only annoying -- they can also carry disease.
To deal with this problem, many different varieties of insect repellents have been developed.
The substances in insect repellents work in a number of ways.
Their fragrances are often designed to be unappealing to insects or to mask the scent of humans.
Insect repellents can be produced from either natural ingredients, such as lemongrass and eucalyptus oils, or artificial compounds like Picardin and DEET.
To be well protected by mosquito repellents, you should understand how they work in order to use them effectively.

• How they work: Repellents can keep insects away, but they do not have pesticide capabilities and cannot kill insects.
  
• How often you should use them: The duration of the of the repellent's effectiveness varies based on the concentration of the active ingredient, which can be found on the back of the bottle.
  In some concentrations, the repellent must be reapplied every half hour, while others only need to be applied every 5 hours.
  
• How much you should use: You do not need to put on a thick layer of repellent for it to be effective.
  It is also not advisable to use products that combine repellents with sunscreen, as repellent and sunscreen need to be applied at different time intervals.
  

It is important to always use insect repellents correctly to avoid any negative effects to health or safety.
Always follow these safety tips:

• You should not apply repellent to irritated skin or to areas covered by clothing.
  
• Once indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
  Treated clothing should also be washed before it is worn again.
  
• Repellents should not be ingested and should be kept out of children's reach.
  
• Children should not be allowed to touch the repellent with their hands or apply it to their own skin.
  

While repellents keep insects away, they are limited in the amount of protection they can provide.
They are suitable for occasional outdoor use, but a more convenient and comprehensive alternative for a home or yard would be to install an insect control system, which offers many distinct advantages.

• Protection: Insect control systems do more than repel insects; they kill them and their larvae, keeping your home and lawn safer and improving the quality of your indoor and outdoor living.
  
• Effectiveness: Insect control systems are controlled by timers which activate the misting system at intervals so that you do not have to worry about knowing when to apply the product.
  These system will automatically apply enough of the insecticide to keep you well protected no matter the season.
  

For a day spent enjoying the great indoors, it is always a good idea to bring along a bottle of insect repellent.
However, for constant protection from insects in your own home or yard, an insect control system is the most effective option.