Using a mosquito bracelet is something that has become too popular and many times we do not understand why, so we wonder, do bracelets really work to repel mosquitoes? And we got down to work to see what the experts say about it. As well as spoiler we will say that that money is better donated to an association.
To start dealing with this issue we will say that we have to be very careful with the purchases we make, since the product can look very good and have a good marketing campaign, but it is really a product that a company tries to sell to make money , for That is why we see many influencers recommending it. Summary: You have been paid to tell us to buy it.
If it is true that before going on the market they have a series of processes where it is shown if it works and it is not a scam for users, what happens is that you have to read the fine print well because they work, but there is a trick.
It is like the case of antiparasitic collars for dogs. There are some that avoid the bite of mosquitoes (leishmaniasis) and it is true, they work for that and it is proven, what happens is that their effect has a very short term, perhaps 5 or 6 months maximum and we are throwing it out, since the vast majority only last 3 months.
With the anti-mosquito bracelets for children and adults it is exactly the same. That is why today we wanted to put them at the center of the debate and explain how they work and why it is better not to spend money on these accessories. In addition, not only we say it, but also a report from the OCU, the Association of Consumers and Users of Spain.
How does a mosquito bracelet work?
Its operation is very basic, what fails later is its effectiveness, but we will explain that in the next section. Something similar happens with electrical anti-mosquito devices, they work, but their effectiveness is limited in terms of distance.
The active principle of the anti-mosquito bracelets is that they radiate citronella, geraniol or lavender or other substances (depending on the type of bracelet and where we buy it), also chemical compounds such as DEET or a mixture of everything a little and can be toxic.
They are put on the wrist because we tend to move our spleens a lot when we speak and when we move, in this way, the essence of the substances that the bracelet has remains hovering around us and manages to ward off mosquitoes.
Okay, the theory is magnificent, but in the case of these bracelets the reality is very different and that is that the vast majority if they are tested to find out that they are not a scam, then there are others that have not passed the relevant controls.
Whether or not it works as expected (we anticipated that none of them deserves what they are worth) depends on the active principle and above all on its concentration. The more there are, the better the results.
Are mosquito bracelets effective?
Regarding effectiveness, they are not good, no. In fact, it is quite likely that the night we wear a bracelet of this type we will end up with some bites all over the body except on the arm where we wear the bracelet with citronella.
This is because they only work in a maximum radius of 15 centimeters, and there are even those that only protect an area of less than 5 centimeters, that is, just the area that rubs against the bracelet. Therefore, broadly speaking, they work, but not as they sell us. Hence, we have explained before about the active principle and its concentration.
In addition, this type of bracelets, lotions, ultrasound devices and others, do not really scare away mosquitoes, rather it confuses them. That is, the mosquito will come to us, but depending on the amount of compound that is in our body, they may leave confused or settle on us as if nothing else.
If we have to choose an effective repellent, we opt for sprays and lotions , everything else out. And in very specific cases, the electric ones are effective, as long as certain minimums are met, such as, for example, that the room is not very large, do not leave the window open all day, combine it with other remedies such as a plant such as citronella, lemon basil, lavender, lemon geranium, rosemary, etc. and put the device at a medium height, such as a light switch.
The OCU advises against these bracelets
The OCU has analyzed these types of products and in their report they explain that they do not prevent bites, which is the main reason for sale and the one we all want, therefore, they are a fraud.
We save up to 20 euros, which is what many of these bracelets are worth. OCU says that the effectiveness of this type of bracelets is VERY low and that is because repellents must be applied throughout the area where we do not want mosquitoes to bite us.
And we wonder, if they don’t work, why are they still being sold? Well, because they really do work, but NOT at the level that consumers expect, hence the disappointment when we tried them.
As it is read in the OCU report, the anti-mosquito bracelet that we have on our wrist has (or should have) a sanitary registration when dealing with objects with pesticides. If you do not have that registration number, it is because it is not tested or approved by the AEMPS, that is, by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products.
Everything must be perfectly explained on the labeling, from the real effectiveness, the duration, the chemical compounds, the way of use, the warnings (especially if they are going to be used for less) and all the important information that will make us aware of what we are buying. . We advise that this information is usually fair and appears in a very small print that makes it difficult to read.
