Mosquito Coils
A mosquito coil is a spiral shaped insect repellent, which is lit at the outer end and burns slowly towards its centre. As the coil smoulders, it releases insect repellent/insecticide smoke that repels mosquitoes and other flying insects such as midges and gnats.
Pack of 10 mosquito coils with stand. Effectively repels mosquitoes and other annoying flying insects. Each coil lasts for up to 8 hours. Suitable for use outdoors.
Mosquito Coil
Mosquito coils are available from manufacturers such as Lifesystems, Gelert, Coghlans and Highlander, who often supply their coils in multiple packs with a metal coil stand included.
Mosquito repellent coils are lightweight, compact and easy to use – burning a coil is as simple as lighting a candle. Take mosquito coils with you if you are travelling to warmer climates where there is a chance of being bitten by mosquitoes. Stop mosquitoes entering your accommodation by burning a mosquito coil outside your door or window.
If you don’t want to burn an entire mosquito repellent coil or you accidentally break a coil, you can burn broken pieces instead.
Mosquito Coil Holder
Mosquito coils can help to keep the bugs away, but they do produce ash when they burn, which may become messy. A decorative mosquito coil holder will keep things clean and tidy.
A mosquito coil holder firmly encloses a smouldering mosquito repellent coil inside it, ensuring the coil is safe for use around children. The holder contains holes through which the mosquito repellent smoke can escape and collects the ash produced by the coil. Your mosquito coil holder can be laid flat on the floor or table or conveniently hung up out of the way.
Gelert’s Mozi Coil Holder is made from metal and has decorative heart-shaped holes on the top to allow the mosquito repellent vapour to escape. The holder has an attached loop allowing it to easily be hung from a door handle or hook.
Mosquito Coils Do They Work?
A mosquito coil provides several hours of protection against biting insects, burning continuously for around 6 to 8 hours. Burn coils when camping, fishing, dining outside during picnics and barbeques, or simply while relaxing at home in your garden or on the balcony. A good tip is to place a mosquito coil down on the ground by people's ankles and feet - an area mosquitoes seem fond of visiting.
Mosquito coils are generally very cheap to buy – if you buy a pack of coils and they are not to your liking or you find they are not very effective, then you haven’t lost much.
Mosquito coils may help reduce the number of mosquitoes around you, but they are not proven to be effective against malaria. If you are staying in an area where there is a risk of malaria infection, protect yourself by using a good insect repellent and sleeping under an insecticide-treated mosquito net.
Mosquito Coils Indoors
A mosquito coil is made from combustible material covered with pesticide. The active ingredients in mosquito repellent coils are usually pyrethrins such as allethrins, which have low toxicity to humans and are not known to cause cancer. Mosquito coils containing small amounts of allethrins are registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
As noted by Boots WebMD, concerns have been raised about the effects of breathing in insecticide smoke released from mosquito repellent coils, and there is the possibility of irritation to eyes and nose.
In an experiment published in Environmental Health Perspectives, researchers examined emissions from Chinese and Malaysian mosquito coils. Results suggest that burning mosquito coils indoors may produce pollutants harmful to health.
Put your safety first and remember the following points when using mosquito coil repellents to repel mosquitoes:
- Do not burn mosquito coils indoors. Use them outdoors only and avoid burning them in enclosed spaces
- Do not directly inhale smoke emitted from coil repellents
- Do not buy insect repellent coils abroad; they may contain pesticides or other substances not approved for use in your home country
- Buy mosquito coils from reputable mosquito coil manufacturers before you travel
Sources:
Boots WebMD. “Mosquito Coils and Vaporising Mats”.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Fact Sheet: Characteristics and Regulatory Status of Spatial Insect Repellents”.
Liu W, Zhang J, Hashim JH, Jalaludin J, Hashim Z, et al. 2003 Mosquito Coil Emissions and Health Implications. Environ Health Perspect 111(12): doi:10.1289/ehp.6286
