Insect Repellants and Mosquito Control Companies Getting More and More In Demand As Zika Virus Continues To Be Threat

The first baby with Zika virus-related birth defect, microcephaly was delivered in New Jersey on Tuesday. This caused some people to turn to private mosquito control companies and use mosquito repellent, since there are no cures to this mosquito-borne disease.

A report in Fox Business said more people are concerned about the mosquito repellant to use that may be able to prevent them from contracting the virus. According to CDC, there have already been 591 cases of ZIka which has been diagnosed in the United States so far, and all of those are travel related. Consumer Reports have listed five mosquito repellents that have been deemed popular in preventing mosquito-borne diseases, like Zika.

The most widely used mosquito repellent is Sawyer Picaridin which scored a whopping 96 out of 100 points based on tick and mosquito repellent effectiveness. Although it retails for about $8.25, the pump spray was found to last up to eight hours. Next is Off! Deepwoods Vlll Insect Repellent, which retails for about $6.50. It's a mild aerosol spray with floral aroma and 25% deet as its active ingredient. It is said to offer more than 8 hours of protection from Aedes and Culex mosquitoes.

Another repellent listed is Ben's 30% Deet Tick & Insect Wilderness Formula which scored 93 points in the effectiveness department. However, consumers who have already used it have reminded others to be aware of its rubber cement aroma after they apply it. The aerosol spray retails for about $6.40, and as seen on its name, there is a 30% deet as its active ingredient.

Other repellents on the list were Natrapel 8 Hour Insect Repellent, which retails between $6 and $10. It has picaridin 20% and is believed to have a lasting effect of up to 6 hours. The last item on the list is Repel Lemon Eucalyptus. This pump spray's active ingredients are lemon oil and 30% eucalyptus. If you like scents like these then you are in luck.

However, there are also people who think using repellents is not enough to protect themselves against diseases caused by mosquitoes, so they result to contacting mosquito control companies. ABC 2 News said that the co-owner of Mosquito Joe of Baltimore and Mosquito Joe of Annapolis, Kurt Godwin told them that the companies are booming of new customers and the phones have been ringing non-stop.

"People just don't want to get bit and they want to be comfortable," he said.  "Since it got warm this past week business has been crazy."

Godwin also said that workers have been busy going to houses and local companies, spraying for mosquitoes. He also said that he is adding new employees to handle the heavier workload that is needed by their customers. People are sick of the biting bugs, and many aren't taking the threat of Zika lightly.