The least painful bite: where should you buy mosquito repellent?

With the arrival of the summer season, the scorching heat of July and August brings with it not only the need to cool the body, but also the constant nuisance of mosquitoes. While mosquito bites are usually not very harmful, they can certainly be a serious nuisance, and in some cases even dangerous.

This year, in particular, there is reason for additional concern - the Ministry of Health warns against the spread of the West Nile fever epidemic, which was found in various parts of the country and caused a number of infections and, unfortunately, also deaths.

West Nile fever is an infectious disease transmitted mainly through the bites of mosquitoes that carry the virus. The symptoms can range from relatively mild, such as fever and headaches, to more severe, including inflammation of the brain and meninges that can lead to permanent disability and even death. The virus is widespread mainly in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and since 1999 it is also widespread in North America. As has been proven in previous years, there are many solutions available in the Israeli market for mosquito protection.

The main difference this year is the growing awareness of the need for protection in light of the warnings from the Ministry of Health. The solutions are divided into two main types: body protection and space protection.

Protection of the body - mosquito repellent preparations: these preparations come in different forms such as creams, sprays and gels intended for application on the skin. Active substances such as diethyl-toluamide (DEET) are known to be very effective in repelling mosquitoes. 

Long clothes: wearing long and light clothes made of breathable fabrics can reduce the area of skin exposed to bites.

Mosquito repellent bracelets: bracelets containing natural mosquito repellent substances such as lemongrass oil are a convenient and fashionable solution to keep the mosquitoes away. 

Protecting the space: repellants and killing mosquitoes: these preparations come in configurations such as sprays, candles, and electrical devices. Some release active substances to repel mosquitoes, while others use technologies such as ultrasound or UV light to attract mosquitoes and kill them. 

Nets for windows and doors: installing nets is one of the most effective ways to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home or office.

Fans: Large and small fans can be used as a simple but effective mechanical means of keeping mosquitoes away, since the mosquitoes have difficulty flying against the air current.

The various protection solutions are available throughout the year on the shelves of grocery stores and pharmacy chains, but during the summer the demand soars and unlike on the days of the year, the products enter consumer sales and integrate into the environmental competition. 

We set out to check how much we will pay for the most common products and what gaps we found: 

Anti-Mosquito Repellent Lotion for Babies and Children Sano Di 50 ml will cost you NIS 17.90 in the Carrefour chain, while in the market warehouses it will cost NIS 24.90, a difference of 39%. 

Mosquito repellent cream with eucalyptus and citronella Sano Di 50 ml will cost 17.90 in Karper and 19.90 in Bermi Levy - a difference of 11%. Mosquito repellent spray Di Sano Di 125 ml will cost 18.80 in Remi Levy, while in Shufersal it will cost 19.90 - a difference of 6%. 

Sanomet mosquito repellant Evaporation plates Sano 30 tablets will cost 10.80 in Rami Levy and 14.90 in Freshmarket, a difference of 38%. 

An electric device and a liquid refill to keep mosquitoes away for 45 nights. Sanomet will cost 34.90 in Victory, and 39.90 in Freshmarket - a difference of 14%. 

A liquid refill to repel mosquitoes for 90 nights counting 2 units will cost 20.90 in Victory, while in the Freshmarket chain 29.90 - a difference of 43%.