Originally, the tent was developed for mosquito protection during travels to tropical countries. However, tropical diseases are spreading towards more temperate climates, too, and therefore the MOSQUITO-SAFE tent is becoming more and more interesting for other target groups, too.
The tent protects you in two ways:
- by forming a mechanical barrier (bottom material and mesh) that offers all-around 100% protection when you’re inside the closed tent.
- by its impregnation that repels insects and arachnids and keeps them from landing on the fabric.
On the one hand, this means that mosquitoes do not bite through the mesh fabric when a part of the body is in contact with the mesh fabric, as the mosquitoes maintain a safe distance from the treated fabric.
On the other hand, bedbugs, for example, do not settle on the MOSQUITO-SAFE, as they are also kept away by the impregnation. Therefore you won’t accidentally introduce any bedbugs to your suitcase or your apartment when stowing away the tent.
- The impregnation with Repel Mosquito® by Smart Inovation® completes the protection offered by our mosquito tent.
- The bottom material as well as the mesh are both impregnated.
- The impregnation contains a biocide. This substance acts as a repellent, it is not an insecticide.
- It is effective against flies, ticks, mosquitoes, wasps, lice and bugs like bedbugs.
- Thanks to the repellent effect, the insects cannot develop resistances.
- It is non-toxic, odorless and safe for babies six months and older, as well as for pregnant and breast-feeding women.
- The repellent is bound to a matrix and is therefore firmly fused to the material. This results in a high washing resistance of over 100 cycles. Proof that the active agent is firmly fused to the material in the long run.
- The active ingredient is IR3535 (ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate).
- The impregnation with the active ingredient is certified in accordance with the ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX®.
“In many regions of Germany, scientists have been able to prove that exotic mosquito species like tiger mosquito or bush mosquito act as potential vectors for tropical viruses and other diseases. Experts assume climate change plays an important role for their spread. However, the native mosquito species Culex pipiens is now also one of the carriers of West Nile fever. There is a risk particularly in the Berlin area, throughout eastern Germany, but also in the north. The virus is mainly transmitted between mosquitoes and wild birds, but infected mosquitoes can also bite humans.” (see: NDR Visite Mücken)
The agent Wirkstoff IR3535 (ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate) is explicitely recommened by the WHO (World Health Organisation) (see: WHO – Zika virus disease). It is also called EBAAP (ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate) or 3-[N-n-butyl-N-acetyl] aminopropionic acid ethyl ester and is biodegradable. IR3535 is safe for aquatic organisms like fish or algae (see: Merck – IR3535®) According to the WHO, this substance has the most favorable toxicological and ecotoxicological safety profile of all approved biocides.
How the active ingredient IR3535 works:
“Insects use natural odors to navigate. There are various natural substances insects use as signals. For example, there are substances that help male mosquitos finding females, or lead females to a host on whose blood they can feed. IR3535 is based on a natural amino acid named ß-alanine. It sends a simple message to the insects: Stay away from me! This is known as the repellent effect. IR3535 is therefore a repellent that tells insects to move away. Some repellents also have an insecticidal effect, i.e. they kill the insects on contact. This is not the case with IR3535 as it only sends a repellent signal but does not harm the insects themselves.” (see: Merck – Insect repellent)
In article 3 paragraph 1 of the Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 (Biocidal product regulation), the European Union defines biocidal products as follows: “any substance or mixture, in the form in which it is supplied to the user, consisting of, containing or generating one or more active substances, with the intention of destroying, deterring, rendering harmless, preventing the action of, or otherwise exerting a controlling effect on, any harmful organism by any means other than mere physical or mechanical action”. Since the active ingredient keeps away insects, amongst others, it is classified as biocidal product.
ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® is an independent certification system for chemicals, colorants and auxiliary agents used in manufacturing textile and leather products. The organization makes sure each and every ingredient of the chemical product complies with applicable laws and has no negative effects on human health.
Sources:
NDR Visite Mücken: Auch heimische Art überträgt West-Nil-Virus (Local species may also act as a vector for the West Nile Virus), as of September 7, 2020, accessed May 24, 2021, https://www.ndr.de/ratgeber/gesundheit/Muecken-Auch-heimische-Art-uebertraegt-West-Nil-Virus,muecken262.html#tab=tab_3
WHO (Hrsg.) Zika virus disease, as of – unknown, accessed May 22, 2021, https://www.who.int/health-topics/zika-virus-disease#tab=tab_3
Merck KGaA (ed.) IR3535®, accessed on 3.09.2025, https://www.merckgroup.com/en/sustainability/health-for-all/innovations-for-childs-health-in-africa.html
Merck KGaA (ed.) Insect repellent – FAQ, status 2021, accessed on 3.09.2025, https://www.merckgroup.com/en/research/science-space/envisioning-tomorrow/precision-medicine/protection-against-malaria.html
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