Protect yourself against biting insects
June 18, 2024
Global Korean Post
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Personal insect repellent (also called bug spray) can help protect you from insect bites. There are many products on the market that claim to protect against insect bites. Only those that have been government approved for their safety and effectiveness are allowed for use in Canada.
Protection from biting insects like mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and blackflies is important because insect bites can cause:
- itchiness
- irritation
- potentially serious diseases, such as:
- malaria
- Lyme disease
- West Nile virus
- Zika virus
In Canada, West Nile virus and Lyme disease are health concerns. However, for most Canadians, the risk of getting these illnesses and serious health effects is very low.
Be aware that:
- blackflies are active in daylight hours during springtime
- ticks are often found along trail edges, mostly in wooded areas or tall grass
- mosquitoes can bite at any time of the day, and are more active at dawn and dusk
Insect bite prevention practices can protect your skin from being exposed to biting insects. You can also choose to use an insect repellent.
Choosing an insect repellent
Make sure you use a registered product labelled as an insect repellent for use on people, and read and follow all label directions.
You can recognize a pest control product registered by Health Canada by the Pest Control Products (PCP) number on the label, for example:
- Reg. No. 00000 P.C.P. Act
- Registration No. 00000 Pest Control Products Act
