Insect repellent apparel: gearing up for insect-borne diseases

Insect repellent apparel: gearing up for insect-borne diseases

Insect repellent apparel represents a convenient way of protecting against the nuisance, discomfort and disease associated with biting insects, such as mosquitoes, ticks and flies. Almost everyone in the world is at risk of contracting an insect-borne disease. And every year hundreds of thousands of people die as a result of what has become one of the leading causes of death in the world: mosquito bites. In fact, several insect-borne diseases have been spreading throughout the world at an alarming rate because of globalisation, increased trade and travel, and climate change. Worryingly, there is evidence that insects are developing resistance to chemical insecticides at an increasing rate. In response, a great deal of research and development and a huge amount of funding from government and private sources are being channelled into developing insect repellent fabrics and clothing. Also, developments in insect repellent fabrics and clothing are being driven by consumers who are concerned about the use of chemical insecticides, and clothing made from fabrics incorporating plant-based insect repellents has been gaining widespread appeal among these consumers. This is despite the fact that plant-based insect repellents are less durable to washing than their chemical-based counterparts.