Free Shipping | 866-377-8700
0
  • No products in the cart.
Total:$0.00
 

Blog

09 Sep

Posted at 20:34h in Blog by

Many of us fall victim to seasonal hibernation. With cooler temperatures just around the corner, namely for northerners, it's time to enjoy the outdoors while the weather still permits. Conversely, those living in the south may already be trapped indoors due to the high temperatures and humidity that come with the summer season. Fall is the perfect time for everyone to get outdoors; neither too hot nor too cold. In addition to the fun one can have whilst being outdoors, there are also a myriad of scientifically-proven health benefits that come with the fun. Psychological Health Studies have shown that spending time outdoors, particularly in secluded areas like forests, can decrease cortisol, a hormone which contributes to stress. This time spent outside can also boost serotonin which is a “feel good” neurotransmitter. Other benefits of being outside pertaining to psychological health include: Improved short-term memory Improved concentration and focus Increased brain activity relating to emotional stability Increased...

25 Aug

Posted at 18:39h in Blog by

The Louisiana flooding from August 8th-14th of this year is being called “the worst US disaster since Hurricane Sandy.” After over 7.1 trillion gallons of rainfall, catastrophic flooding submerged and damaged over one hundred thousand homes. By comparison, Hurricane Katrina only poured 2.3 trillion gallons of water onto the state. In the aftermath of the flooding, a new concern has risen: mosquitoes and the spread of diseases such as the West Nile and Zika viruses. There is great concern that, with so much standing water in the area, the mosquito population will explode.  Such an occurrence would increase the likelihood of Zika transmission via mosquito bites within the US. St. Bernard Parish of Louisiana has taken an authoritative approach to mosquito control by enacting an ordinance that can actually make residents pay fines for allowing mosquito-friendly environments to exist on their properties. The Parish government is urging residents to inspect their properties...

17 Aug

Posted at 14:57h in Blog by

We are all-too-familiar with the temporary (but annoying) symptoms of bug bites, especially during the summer. Mosquitoes and other common insects notorious for hindering outdoor fun are causing immense concern due to the spread of news-making vector-borne diseases, such as the Zika virus. Vector-borne diseases are those that are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes, ticks and fleas. Below are just a few of the most common insects, the vector-borne diseases they carry and how you can prevent getting bitten by them. Mosquitoes Mosquitoes are known for carrying a laundry list of diseases, the most well-known being the West Nile and Zika viruses. Since 1999, reports indicate the West Nile virus has infected nearly 42,000 people in the United States alone. Symptoms have included fever, joint pains, rashes and vomiting.  In rare and extreme cases, neurological illness has occurred as well. The Zika virus, originally linked exclusively to travel-related cases, has recently-confirmed domestic transmissions...

11 Aug

Posted at 18:17h in Blog by

At NET effect, we know that nothing is more annoying than getting swarmed by insects. We want you to be aware of the most common reasons why you may be bitten. Here’s what attracts mosquitoes: 1. Your Blood Type Research has shown that 'skeeters' prefer certain blood types over others. One study found that individuals with Type O blood get bitten twice as frequently as their Type A counterparts. About 85% of people secrete a chemical from their skin that indicates which blood type they are, detectable by mosquitoes. 2. Your Breath Did you know that mosquitoes can also detect the carbon dioxide you exhale from up to 164 feet away?! Larger people generally breathe out more carbon dioxide, which is one of the reasons why adults generally get bitten more frequently than children. 3. Your Exercise Routine Along with the carbon dioxide you exhale, there are several other things mosquitoes can “smell” on you, such...

08 Aug

Posted at 20:26h in Blog by

Authorities have confirmed the first cases of mosquito-borne transmission of the Zika infection within U.S. borders. Florida Governor Rick Scott addressed the public after a Florida Department of Health investigation confirmed four suspected victims of Zika infection in Miami-Dade and Broward counties were, in fact, infected by in-state mosquito bites. "I would expect that Congress can do more to help us, as I’ve said all along,” Scott said. “The federal government needs to do their part. This is not just a Florida issue. This is a U.S. issue, it’s a national issue. We’re just at the front of it.” All four cases of Zika infection are believed to have been contracted in a several-block radius of Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, a bustling restaurant and entertainment area, in early July. Evidence points to at least two of the victims being infected at work sites in the area. The CDC has stated “there may be...

15 Jul

Posted at 18:23h in Blog by

Although Brazilian officials state that there is no risk of contracting Zika during the Olympics taking place in Rio de Janeiro this August, many are still incredibly skeptical of Brazil’s optimism. According to an article written by The Washington Post, Brazil’s new health minister, Ricardo Barros, says that there’s an almost zero chance of contracting Zika. As of June, cases of Zika have dropped from 3,000 cases a week to 30 and officials say that 80% of the city’s buildings have been inspected for mosquito breeding sites.  The World Health Organization has also met twice to discuss the subject of Zika and whether or not hosting the games in Brazil may increase the spread of Zika.  They have ruled that there is no risk and that the games should take place as planned. However, the locals aren’t as optimistic. Many Brazilians are skeptical of the government’s positive outlook due to the country’s...

08 Jul

Posted at 13:47h in Blog by

Inovio Pharmaceuticals has announced that it will soon begin testing its Zika vaccine, making this the first human trial. The company is based in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, and worked with Gene One Life Science in South Korea to create the vaccine. This Zika vaccine has been named GLS-5700 and will be tested on 40 volunteer subjects. According to Inovio the testing should begin within the next few weeks. Prior to this, there was a round of testing conducted on animals, and Inovio announced the results were very promising. As they move into the next phase of their testing with human subjects, they hope that these results will be just as successful. However, even if this round of testing is successful, it will be quite some time before an effective Zika vaccine hits the market. Further testing will have to be conducted to make sure that the vaccine is safe and meets the...

27 Jun

Posted at 14:25h in Blog by

Even with Zika rising in numbers, to most of us mosquito bites are just annoying nuisances. Most times you're bitten, you’re itchy for a few days.  Then it's out of sight and mind regarding the bite. However, scientists at the University of Leeds in England have discovered a possibility that the inflammation and irritation caused by a mosquito bite may make viruses easier to replicate, thus increasing the odds of viral infection. In their experiment, scientists at the University of Leeds infected mice with Zika, dengue and other viral diseases either through injections or mosquito bites. They found that the group of mice that had been bitten by mosquitoes showed higher rates of viral infections than the group that had been injected. These findings have lead researchers to believe that the mosquito bites themselves may make it easier to get viral infections. This may be because when a mosquito bites a victim,...

17 Jun

Posted at 16:54h in Blog by

If you haven’t bought yourself a bottle of NET effect yet, it’s likely that you’re no stranger to insect bites. Ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers and no-see-ums can cause irritation, swelling and rashes. Here are a few tips on treating your bites and stings. We hope next time you remember to use NET effect to protect yourself! One of the first things you should do after a sting or bite is to evacuate the location where you were bitten. This may seem self-explanatory, but what many people don’t know is that insects such as bees will alert others in the hive, making it more likely for them to sting you as well. It’s important to remember to move slowly, as rapid movement alarms insects such as wasps and bees and allows venom to spread through the bloodstream more quickly. If you’ve been stung by a bee or wasp, remove any stingers that may have...

09 Jun

Posted at 16:45h in Blog by

With Zika still plaguing Central and South America, and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro quickly approaching, many athletes are debating whether or not they want to risk their health to participate. The Zika virus has been found to cause birth defects in unborn children and can be sexually transmitted, making many Olympic athletes wary of putting themselves and their families at risk if they decide to participate in the games. Rory McIlroy, who is set to represent Ireland in the 2016 Olympic Games, has shared many concerns about the Zika epidemic. The golfer has stated he’s considering starting a family with his fiancée in the next few years and is afraid of anything affecting those plans. McIlroy says that, at the moment, he is still ready to play in Brazil but has some concerns. Many other high-profile athletes, such as Pau Gasol, have also said that their decision to participate...