Tõrjevahendite

Tõrjevahendid, commonly translated as repellents, are substances or devices used to deter unwanted animals, primarily insects, from a particular area or from contacting a person or object. Their effectiveness relies on various sensory mechanisms, often targeting the olfactory senses of the target organism.

The most common type of tõrjevahendid are insect repellents, designed to prevent bites from mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and other biting arthropods. These often contain active ingredients like DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. These chemicals interfere with the insects' ability to locate hosts, often by masking the scent of carbon dioxide and lactic acid that attracts them, or by making the skin an unpleasant surface to land on.

Beyond personal application, tõrjevahendid can also be used in broader applications. For instance, sonic or ultrasonic devices are marketed as animal repellents, emitting high-frequency sounds purported to be irritating to pests like rodents or birds, though their scientific efficacy is often debated. In agriculture and gardening, certain plants are also considered natural repellents, their scents deterring specific insect pests. Similarly, physical barriers like netting or screens act as a form of repellent by preventing access. The selection of an appropriate tõrjevahend depends on the target organism, the desired duration of protection, and environmental considerations.