Annoying mosquitoes can especially ruin a warm summer evening outdoors. A bite here, an itch there – quickly, a relaxed summer night turns into an annoying mosquito battle.
To avoid this, many people turn to various insect repellents. Mosquito coils, electric vaporizers, and sprays are among the most popular solutions. They promise to keep the pests away and give you undisturbed summer evenings.
One of the best-known manufacturers in this field is Thermacell, whose products are often advertised as particularly effective.
But what are the consequences for our health and the environment when we use such products? Are mosquito coils toxic or really as harmless as they seem? And what about the ingredients of biocidal products? Should one buy such a mosquito coil? In this blog post, we want to clarify exactly these questions and take a look at the possible dangers.
Mosquito Coils: Toxic and Dangerous? Overview of Risks and Health Hazards
When you light a mosquito coil, it begins to release insecticides into the air. These substances, such as permethrin or prallethrin, are designed to attack the nervous systems of mosquitoes and thereby neutralize them. The coils burn slowly and continuously release these gases to create a mosquito-free zone.
The neurotoxic gases released by mosquito coils are not only dangerous to mosquitoes. Studies have shown that these gases can also affect the human body. When inhaled, they enter our lungs and can cause irritations there.
Children and sensitive individuals are particularly at risk. Their respiratory tracts are not yet fully developed or are already weakened, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of the gases. There is evidence that the regular use of mosquito coils indoors can increase the risk of asthma and other respiratory diseases.
In addition to the direct effects on the respiratory tract, there is also evidence that the neurotoxic gases can impair the immune system. This can make the body more susceptible to infections and other diseases. These risks should not be underestimated, especially in newborns and infants whose immune systems are still developing.
Despite a scientific data situation that is not yet fully clarified, it is already evident that the use of mosquito coils is associated with health and environmental risks. Before you buy the next mosquito coil, you should be aware of these dangers and consider more environmentally friendly alternatives.
What makes biocide vaporizers environmentally harmful?
Common biocide vaporizers work with a special active ingredient plate that releases the pesticide D-Allethrin when heated. This substance, a synthetic pyrethroid, is known to effectively repel mosquitoes and other insects by attacking their nervous system.
D-Allethrin acts as a nerve poison that paralyzes and kills mosquitoes. When the active ingredient plate in the vaporizer is heated, the insecticide is released into the air and forms a protective zone around the device. While this is deadly for mosquitoes, the potential side effects on humans, animals, and the environment are often unmentioned.
Below, we will delve deeper into the health and environmental hazards of the products offered on the market and explain why it is important to be aware of the long-term consequences of using such insect repellents.
Are biocide vaporizers harmful to dogs and humans?
Products containing D-Allethrin can pose a danger to humans as well as pets. D-Allethrin acts as a strong neurotoxin that can cause symptoms similar to those in insects in our four-legged friends, albeit in a milder form. Symptoms can include restlessness, trembling, breathing difficulties, and in severe cases, seizures. Direct skin contact with these substances is particularly harmful to dogs, cats, and other pets. Especially dogs and cats are often curious and could come into contact with the biocide vaporizers or the active ingredient plates.
The use of these products also poses health risks for humans, especially children. Inhaling the released vapors can cause respiratory irritation, particularly in sensitive individuals or those with respiratory conditions. Prolonged or heavy use can lead to further health problems, including headaches, dizziness, and nausea. In the worst case, swallowing substances containing D-Allethrin can lead to severe poisoning.
Dangerous for the environment
The active ingredient used, D-Allethrin, is highly toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms. Even small amounts can cause significant damage, as the insecticide enters water bodies and remains there for a long time. The persistence of this active ingredient means that it accumulates in the environment and sustainably impairs the health of aquatic organisms and other living beings. These long-term effects are particularly concerning because they can disrupt the ecological balance in rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.
The fact that D-Allethrin breaks down slowly further exacerbates these problems. There is a risk of bioaccumulation, where the poison accumulates in the food chain, thereby endangering larger animals and ultimately humans. Therefore, it is important to avoid the environmental impacts of biocidal products and to look for alternatives that are less harmful to the environment.
Natural protection against mosquitoes, wasps & gnats: The VapoWesp smoke box
The VapoWesp smoke box offers a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional insect protection. Our innovative method uses coffee powder that smolders in the smoke box. The rising smoke signals "danger" to all insects and effectively repels them without harming them.
Unlike chemical insect repellents, the smoke from the coffee powder contains no toxins. This makes the VapoWesp smoke box not only safe for humans and pets but also environmentally friendly. With the VapoWesp smoke box, you can protect yourself from mosquitoes without worries and without animal suffering while also protecting the environment.
Insect protection compared:
Mosquito coils / smoke coils, biocidal vaporizers, and VapoWesp
To better understand the different insect protection methods, we compared mosquito coils and biocidal products for a more specific analysis, as well as the VapoWesp smoke box in the main categories.
The table clearly shows how these methods differ in terms of active ingredient, health risks, environmental friendliness, application, and costs. This comparison is intended to help you make an informed decision for the best insect protection.
| Mosquito coils | Thermacell | VapoWesp | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Insecticides (e.g. Allethrin) | D-Allethrin | Coffee grounds |
| Harmful to humans? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Harmful to pets? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Environmental friendliness? | No | No | Yes |
| Application | Simple but toxic | Simple but toxic | Simple and safe |
| Costs | Medium | High | Low to medium |
Our VapoWesp fumigation box offers an environmentally friendly and health-safe alternative to conventional mosquito coils and biocidal products. It uses coffee grounds, which harm neither humans nor animals yet effectively repels mosquitoes, wasps & gnats. Beekeepers also use this method for their bees as it causes no health damage. VapoWesp clearly stands out as a better choice for the environment and health, allowing you risk-free summer evenings outdoors!
Do not buy incense coils:
Avoid environmentally harmful options
Incense coils may seem like a simple solution against mosquito infestations at first glance, but their environmental harm and health risks for humans and pets should not be underestimated. Instead of resorting to these toxic insect repellents, you should consider environmentally friendly alternatives.
Our VapoWesp incense box offers such an alternative and relies on the natural effect of coffee grounds. Here are some tips for using the incense box effectively and safely:
- Preparation: Fill the VapoWesp incense box with coffee grounds. It is best to use dry coffee grounds that are easy to ignite.
- Lighting: Light the coffee grounds at one spot with a stick lighter until it glows slightly. The resulting smoke will repel mosquitoes without releasing harmful chemicals.
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Placement: Place the incense box near your outdoor seating area, but make sure it is out of reach of children and pets.
During the day, place the incense box on the table to protect against wasps; in the evening, place the incense box on the ground, as mosquitoes and gnats like to bite exposed legs in the evening hours. - Supervision: Never leave the incense box burning unattended. Turn off the incense box by fully closing the rotary knob - this extinguishes the embers due to lack of oxygen, or extinguish the embers with a sip of water.
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Use sustainability: You can use the cooled ash as an organic fertilizer for your balcony or garden plants.
Here too, the VapoWesp method offers great added value compared to all other products - free of toxins or waste, you even make use of the "by-products".
By avoiding environmentally harmful fumigation spirals and using the VapoWesp fumigation box, you actively contribute to protecting the environment and minimize health risks for your family and pets. Try it out and enjoy mosquito-free summer evenings in a healthy and sustainable way!
Conclusion: Why environmentally friendly alternatives like VapoWesp are the best choice
The comparison of biocide vaporizers, mosquito coils, and the VapoWesp fumigation box clearly shows that conventional insect repellents pose significant risks to humans, animals, and the environment. Biocide products containing D-Allethrin are not only harmful to pets and humans but also environmentally damaging. The same applies to mosquito coils / fumigation spirals, which release toxic insecticides and can cause health problems in sensitive individuals. Additionally, these disposable products, often wrapped in foil, require many resources for their production.
In contrast, the VapoWesp fumigation box offers an environmentally friendly and healthy alternative. By burning coffee grounds, mosquitoes are effectively repelled without releasing toxic chemicals. This makes it safe for people, pets, and the environment. Furthermore, the use of the fumigation box is simple, cost-effective, and very sustainable.
For healthy and safe insect protection, we therefore recommend the use of environmentally friendly alternatives such as the VapoWesp fumigation box. These methods not only effectively protect against mosquitoes but also preserve the health of your family and the environment. Choose a sustainable solution and enjoy mosquito-free summer evenings without worries!
