Malaria is an infection of the blood caused by the presence of parasites in the red blood cells. Malaria is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. In areas of the world where malaria is prevalent, preventative measures to keep mosquitoes at bay are well established. During the day, frequent applications of repellents offer a measure of protection from mosquitoes. At night, the best defense against the malaria-carrying mosquitoes is a net hung over and around your bed. To enhance the effectiveness of the net, it can be treated with an insecticide.
Insecticide
The most common chemical used in the treatment of mosquito nets is permethrin. Structurally similar to a compound originally derived from the crushed petals of the chrysanthemum, permethrin is a synthetic chemical used to kill and repel mosquitoes. It is safe to use and effective for up to one year if applied correctly. Permethrin can be purchased at sporting goods stores, in the camping section of major department stores or over the Internet.
Application
Gather your net and your insecticide and find an out-of-the-way location outdoors. Be sure to wear protective clothing such as gloves, full-length pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Wash and dry the net prior to treatment. Once you are certain the net is clean, lay it flat on the ground and liberally apply the spray, ensuring the length of the material is fully saturated. If you have no choice but to apply the insecticide indoors, be sure to open as many windows as possible. Once the net has been coated with permethrin, hang it up to dry. Allow the net to air dry for approximately 48 hours before using.
Warnings
Permethrin is safe to use if handled correctly. However, you should try to avoid direct contact with the skin and eyes. If you should accidentally expose yourself to permethrin, rinse the affected area with copious amounts of cold water.
In order to for the insecticide to remain active, wash the nets as infrequently as possible. If you wash your nets regularly, keep track of the number of times they are put through the wash cycle as they must be re-treated after they have been washed three or more times. If the nets are not washed on a regular basis, they must be treated once each year for the insecticide to remain effective.
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