: How do Bug Sprays kill bug’s?
In: Biology
Most “bug sprays” only repel insects, they don’t kill them.
The most common active ingredient in insect repellent is DEET, which essentially works by masking the odor of human breath and sweat which biting insects are naturally attracted to. If the insects can’t smell you, they don’t try to bite you.
Most insecticides contain nervous system toxins, chemicals that bugs don’t have any way to metabolize which mess up their central nervous system. Mammals are more sophisticated and live longer, so we have mechanisms to remove these toxins.
Some of them are mostly water and something like soap that enhances flow. This allows the water to enter the insect and it drowns.
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