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Bio-mathematics, Statistics and Nano-Technologies: Mosquito Control Strategies

preparation and technical process of impregnation and incorporation; in order for an im-

pregnated repelling fabric to be of good performance, the following considerations must

be made during the manufacturing process:

(1) Quantity of Active ingredient or adjuvants in the textile (dose)

(2) Dimension of Textile to be used

(3) Volatility of the active ingredient

(4) The temperature during the preparation of textiles

(5) Timing of preparation of textile

(6) The property of textile (fitness and property of absorption of repellent used)

(7) Need for long lasting repellence and slow release

To better describe the importance of the metric evaluation of the effectiveness of a

repellent and to better focus on insect repellents and more precisely, in our case, on the

evaluation of innovative repellents as fabrics, it is useful to start from the general mean-

ing of repellents and to detail, the rational methods and specific protocol to be used

for the evaluation of innovative textiles against vectors. As a general definition from

www.dictionary.com, a repellent in our cases, is “something that repels, as a substance

that keeps away insects”. A repellent should cause disgust or aversion; initiate repulsive

force or cause rejection, serve or tend to ward off or drive away:

Logical and relevant considerations for a repellent

Beneficial effect

Safe and not dangerous for the user (potential effects on human health and the envi-

ronment associated with the use of the product)

The percentage level of repellency and hours of persistency

Effectiveness and usability are the primary factors that determine a repellent’s success

among the numerous brands available in several markets. Disease vector or not, insects are

a source of constant annoyance. The use of repellents therefore serves to keep the vectors

away and ensures little or no transmission is made on contact by disease vectors because

the repellent serves to keep the insects away from the surface on which it has been applied.

Repellents are becoming more portable, thanks to innovations in the development and de-

sign, making it easy to use, practically anywhere and at any time.

Repellents just like pesticides are subject to authorities of the country of manufacture.

Like any pesticide, the registration process is ruled by law, it is a scientific, legal and

administrative procedure which must be examined and followed to the letter. Study of fiscal

and chemical parameters, toxicity study (acute-chronic), the entomological performance,

the ingredients of the product in question (repellent in this case) and the dermal sensitivity

of the skin surface on which it is to be applied, the quantity to be used (dose), the frequency