Indian mosquito repellent market was nearly $670 million in 2018 and is projected to grow to nearly $900 million by 2024

These figures suggest that the rising awareness and expenditure on healthcare & wellness is well underway. More innovations, increasing customer engagement, and a more structured marketplace is catalysing the growth. Ideally, the mosquito problems and in general, the household susceptibility to insects should be better controlled. Still, vector-borne diseases related with insect bites are spiralling out of control in urban & rural areas. Mosquito Repellent Clothing If the surging disposable incomes are synonymous with access to the best means for protecting your family, why some of the most deadly mosquito-related diseases continue to spread aggressively, even in the buzzing IT capitals of the nation?

Clearly, something is not being highlighted. This is not about government apathy or weak municipal control systems – some answers are hidden within our own households

1. Sanitation & Waste Disposal

Remains a challenge even in progressive workplaces & luxurious living spaces

Despite civic agencies across the nation preaching and providing support for better waste disposal systems, the adoption of such practices remains a challenge. Not just rural households but the latest in upmarket lifestyle homes are tackling this problem. Improper sanitation that usually happens when waste is not properly collected, sorted, and warehoused for disposal can contribute towards a spurt in mosquito population and other insects. The presence of still water in unsupervised areas too breeds insects. This also challenges the notion that the indoors are safer when it comes to protecting the kids against mosquitoes. Something as green and refreshing like a balcony garden can become a breeding ground for invasive insects if proper garden hygiene and water management standards is not maintained.

2. Better Insect Adaptation

Despite the best you do to make the home insect-free

DDT resistance among common bugs is now well documented. However, the inability of insect-proofing your home might stem from something far more fundamental. The soil conditions present at the time of creating a home have a major impact on a building’s inability to keep-away certain insects. Living areas with a high density of wet patches, moist soil, and more bottom floors or basements can be more vulnerable to invading insects.

Similarly, the manner in which the sewage and water connections are laid-out, has a direct impact on the insect density in and around a building. Even the angle at which your home receives sunlight plays a critical role in the overall vulnerability of a building to insects who want to create living quarters within your home. While some creepy crawlies are easier to spot and eliminate, others can create somewhat inconspicuous, microscopic homes. This invariably means the insect problem has a massive scale of indoor operations.

3. Reduce-Recycle-Reuse Lifestyle Concepts

Eco-friendly can pave the way to bring-in more insects

Green consumerism is getting bigger, more of a global phenomenon than an idealistic concept. People are getting more ecologically conscious. They are trying to adapt more natural supplies in every way, including the home décor. Beautifying the yard with bird baths and putting-up playsets for kids is the dream for most homeowners who have the luxury of space. Families are investing in creating composting pits and putting-out different containers that help to repurpose everyday waste for recycling.

However, the least suspecting contributions to making your home more insect-friendly come from such noble ideas. Any landscaping idea that involves more soil, manure, natural fertilisers, foliage, and empty crevices can breed more insects. Mosquitoes are the perfect example of insects breeding in high numbers due to a high density of branches, shrubs, mulch, water with decaying organic matter, and bird droppings. Maintaining a stockpile of used paper products that are meant to be repurposed means attracting insects that feed on wood pulp or cellulose.

4. Failure of New Insect Repellant Devices/Products

More marketing than product efficacy

The Indian Mosquito Repellent for Kids market is huge & growing. With coils, roll-ons, patches, vaporisers, sprays, and mats, consumers can get deeper into insect-control choices. However, the efficiency of the products remains a grey area. Retail channels, both online and physical stores, are brimming with new product launches. Supermarkets and hypermarkets have the latest in global insect-killing tools and preventive gear. Both, the organised and unorganised insect-elimination marketplace is forecasted for more growth. However, more research studies are clearly indicating that many of these insect repellant measures don’t perform as per the product literature. Recently, insect-killing zappers and electronic or ultrasonic devices have been presented as reliable mosquito-killing gadgets. While their long-term effectivity remains a challenge, families are still left perplexed by the high density of insect-borne diseases/infections.

5. Exit of Conventional Insecticides, Mosquito Killers

Informed consumers making educated choices

Lately, there has been a widespread exodus of some traditional insecticides and mosquito sprays. This change happened with people getting more conscious about global norms that clearly hint at many commonly available, cheaper pesticides being carcinogenic and others being potentially harmful for kids. Some of the most commonly used chemical ingredients in home-use insecticides and pesticides across India that have been highlighted for the wrong reasons by the US EPA include: Alachlor (B2), Benomyl (C), Captan (B2), Dichlorvos (C), Mancozeb (B2), Metolachlor (C), Oxadiazon (C), and Propoxur (B2). With regulations about the composition of household chemicals getting more stringent, many manufacturers have been unable to find equally effective and affordable substitutes. The result? The overuse of not-so-efficient insect eliminating sprays and foggers that are not helping.

6. Lack of Clarity about ‘Types’ of Protection Needed

Indoor mosquito protection has its limitations

The Mosquito Repellent Clothing category fails to address that users need two type of products—in-home insect protection and outdoor protection. In-home mosquito repellents fail to deliver when it comes to harsher outdoor conditions. Many of the creams and lotions cannot perform when children are out, playing in the playground, balcony or porch. Many fail to protect during certain durations of the day that witness a heavy influx of mosquitoes. While the impulse sales are getting big in the household insecticide niche, consumers are not always aware that they need a wider range of products. They also need insect repellents that have lower risks for children. The smoky coils might protect within closed doors but they can bring about respiratory allergies and can be ineffective when it gets windy.

A clear solution?

More Introspection & Insect Repellant Clothing

The insect repellant industry is evolving but the reachability of better products is not the same everywhere. Keeping yourself updated about the formulations that promise to eliminate insects is important. What seems more radical and effective might be unsafe for homes with kids and pets—this safety check is important. Scientifically-relevant and practical options, like BugShield Clothing, are worthy of a consideration. These insect-repellant clothes envelope the wearer, keeping away the most deadly insects. Without the chemical traces of bug sprays or the risk of children poking into an electrical mosquito-killer, this line of protective clothing is comfortable and available for all age-groups!