Mosquito Smoke Coils
Mosquito smoke coils are designed for use outdoors, and when burned, they release an insect repellent smoke that wards off mosquitoes, midges, gnats and other biting insects. The smoke coils are usually greenish in colour, and are burned on specially designed metal stands, or placed inside more attractive-looking ceramic holders with holes in to let the smoke out.
How Mosquito Smoke Coils Work
Each mosquito smoke coil slowly burns for around 8 hours, during which time repelling active ingredients such as pyrethrins evaporate with the smoke. This helps prevent mosquitoes from entering the area surrounding the burning smoke coil as they are repelled by the odour, but the odour is not unpleasant to humans.
Mosquito smoke coils are particularly useful for protection against mosquitoes when sitting outside at night. They can be placed on a table so people can congregate around them. It helps to stay in the vicinity of the mosquito smoke, which may be difficult if the smoke is carried away by the wind.
Another tip is to place a mosquito smoke coil down on the ground by ankles and feet, as this is an area where people commonly get bitten by mosquitoes. Again, the less wind there is, the more likely the mosquito smoke will have a chance to be effective.
Health Concerns About Mosquito Smoke Coils
Despite being widely used, concerns about the health effects of mosquito smoke coils have been raised (such as asthma and wheezing in children). While pyrethrins are considered to be of low toxicity to humans, it has been suggested other ingredients contained in the mosquito smoke coils to facilitate burning could have irritant or even carcinogenic effects.
If used outside occasionally the health risks of burning mosquito smoke coils are probably minimal. However, there may be some cumulative effects of being exposed to mosquito coil smoke if used persistently for several months of the year, especially if this occurs repeatedly indoors overnight.
If mosquito smoke coils do have to be used indoors, it is wise to make sure that the rooms are well ventilated.
You can buy packs of multiple mosquito coils, with a coil stand included.
Here are some recommended mosquito smoke coils »