Use of birch tar against insects

In folk medicine, tar soap for lice began to be used in the 20th century, although it has been used for other skin diseases for much longer. Due to the absence of side effects and low price, the popularity of this remedy is extremely high. But is it a panacea, in any case, can it become the main one in the treatment of head lice - you will find the answers to these questions below. But first, let’s find out where ectoparasites come from in a person who does not lead an asocial lifestyle.

Causes of lice

1. Pediculosis is a contact infectious disease, but most often it occurs in children. You should understand that there is nothing shameful in this, since anyone can become infected.
2. Every year in Russia, more than a hundred thousand children and adults suffer from these parasites, which were transmitted to them through contact with other people, which is as natural as infection with ARVI or herpes, so do not panic.
3. This has nothing to do with social status or even hygiene. One louse lays about ten eggs per day, attaching them slightly above the hair root. The problem is that nits with embryos are very difficult to notice. Such deposits turn white only after the larva hatches. A person can be a carrier for some time without even knowing it.
4. Checking for head lice in children is carried out in kindergartens and even in elite schools. Sometimes wealthy parents are outraged that their child is being tested for a “proletarian disease” and thereby increasing the risk. The louse does not distinguish between class affiliation and settles on the head of both the homeless and the oligarch.
5. The cause of infection can sometimes be a visit to a public bath. Entering the steam room, a person sits on the shelf where the wearer previously sat. Therefore, it is recommended to lay a towel.

Important : pediculus humanus corporis (linen louse) is more common in places of detention where bedding is not washed properly. But phtyrus pubis (pubic) is most often the result of promiscuous sexual intercourse. But the most common can be called pediculus humanus capitis (head), and they can be everywhere: at home and at work, in preschool and educational institutions.

Aroma of wormwood and tansy

The folk method of getting rid of bedbugs using wormwood can compete with professional pest control. Since it is considered gentle for humans and pets, the method can also be used independently, without the involvement of strangers. You can either buy a plant at the market or in a pharmacy, or pick it yourself in places where it is allowed, having first studied its appearance in the photo. But you must understand that, despite the fact that wormwood has a repellent aroma for bloodsuckers, the effect of the herb is not long-term. After just two or three days, when the smell is not so strong, bed bugs may attack your home again.

For this reason, many exterminators recommend using wormwood against bedbugs as an adjuvant, in parallel with chemical weapons; judging by the reviews, the maximum effect can be achieved. One more nuance - wormwood does not have a killing or even paralyzing effect on the insect, and what is most depressing is that it does not in any way affect the ability to reproduce. Thus, using wormwood, you temporarily repel bedbugs from yourself, protecting your sleep, but do not solve the problem once and for all. Tansy has a similar effect on bedbugs.

Symptoms of the disease

The infection is characterized by very severe itching of the skin at the bite sites. It is accompanied by the appearance of red papules or small spots with a bluish tint. White larvae are seen on the hair of the head or pubic area - these are eggs, also called nits.

Symptoms cause a person to become irritable and insomnia. In addition, if the disease is neglected, there may be complications. Lice are carriers of Volyn fever, typhus and relapsing fever. Another infection not related to insects can get into the scratching areas.

If you suspect an infection, you should contact a dermatologist who will conduct an examination. This includes asking the patient about his family and team (whether there are any people with lice there). A visual inspection is also carried out under a Wood's lamp, which makes it possible to detect live nits. The doctor will write a prescription and give a number of tips on the use of medications.

Does tar soap for hair help against lice?

The use of tar soap is perhaps the most famous and popular treatment method in folk medicine. Tar, as a component, does not have a pronounced ability to destroy parasites. But alkalis that are added during the production process have such qualities. Keep in mind that you will not be able to get rid of lice quickly, as is possible with the use of medications purchased at the pharmacy.

In order to remove parasites, in addition to tar soap, they also use laundry soap, which also contains alkalis, and in this case they are the main antiseptic.

Important : almost all doctors agree that the use of tar soap for head lice is quite effective, but only if it is combined with other products purchased at the pharmacy.

Advantages

Tar soap against lice has a number of positive qualities that are sometimes absent in other drugs:

• this soap is used as an effective means for cleansing the skin and in this case promotes the rapid healing of scratches;
• it is used not only for application to hair, but also for masks on any part of the body to improve skin health: rashes, acne, pimples, dermatitis and even psoriasis;
• foams well, especially when applied to the hair;
• can be used to prevent fungal diseases;
• strengthens the roots, adds shine to the strands, eliminates dandruff - this is achieved by regularly washing your hair 2-3 times a week, and in some cases daily;
• most women know that tar soap helps not only against lice, but also in the treatment of thrush and increased sweating;
• regular use serves as a prevention of certain gynecological diseases;
• you can remove lichen and parasites from pets - you will not just have to bathe the dog or cat, but give it a half-hour mask on the affected area;
• Regular use of tar soap will allow you to give up other cosmetics and prevent lice infestation.

Flaws

As with other drugs, when using tar soap for lice and nits, a number of negative features can be identified:

• a specific persistent odor arising from the contained components;
• it dries the skin and in some cases you have to compensate for this with creams;
• After washing your hair, you will need conditioner for your hair;
• it is not used as soap for lice and nits - dead larvae will have to be selected manually (with fingernails).

What plant pests will tar soap be effective against?

Tar soap does not contain chemical fragrances, dyes or other dangerous ingredients, so it is an excellent assistant for eliminating various pests.

It is effective against:

1. Muravyov.
2. Butterfly caterpillars.
3. Colorado potato beetle.
4. May beetle.
5. Aphids.
6. Lice.
7. Fleas and others.

Important: it does not always cope with larvae, especially Colorado potato beetles and May beetles.

Methods of application

Tar soap for lice can be used as a standalone preparation for treating insects, or in combination with medications. Laundry soap is also used to get rid of parasites, and tar shampoos have appeared on the modern cosmetics market.

Important : we should not forget that this option allows you to remove lice, but the nits will remain in the hair and will have to be selected manually. Even a fine comb will not remove all the larvae, which usually cling closer to the root.

Tar soap for lice

The first option with soap alone is more suitable for those people who prefer natural remedies, but the procedure will have to be repeated daily for a week.

Sequencing:

1. Wash your hair with your usual product to remove sebum from your hair. If necessary, do this twice and rinse thoroughly.
2. Do not dry your hair, and if it is long, wring it out. Lather with tar soap (shampoo), lather it well and distribute evenly over the entire surface.
3. Put on a rubber swimming cap or a plastic bag and tie it with a terry towel - this will allow you to retain natural heat from your body.
4. After an hour, free your head and rinse your hair with warm water. Dry but do not blow dry. Then comb them with a special fine-tooth comb, which can be purchased at any pharmacy.

Analogue in the form of shampoo

It is possible to add oils to tar shampoo - unrefined sunflower or essential oils, and they will improve the effect. The first will moisturize the skin and make it easier to comb your hair after washing, and the second will add a pleasant aroma and you won’t have to use conditioners.

The sequence and method of using shampoo is identical to the actions with tar soap; there is no point in repeating it. But for those who need quick relief, this remedy is combined with medications of any name.

Sequence of actions:

1. Apply anti-pediculosis medication to the head or pubis.
2. The instructions for use indicate the time required for the procedure. After it expires, rinse off the composition with warm water.
3. Rub your hair with tar shampoo or soap, put a rubber cap or plastic bag over it, and tie it with a terry towel to keep warm.
4. After 30 minutes, rinse off the foam and rinse your hair. Wipe them, but keep them damp.
5. Comb out nits with a special fine-toothed comb - you can buy it at the pharmacy.

Important : if you start using medications, the time the foam stays on your head will be reduced from an hour to 30 minutes! Don't forget this.

Laundry soap

Using 72% soap against lice also leads to good results. It neutralizes parasites with alkalis contained in the composition. The procedure is carried out every day for a week. In this case, alkalis dry the skin in the same way as after tar soap, so you should not overexpose the foam on your hair to increase the effect.

Instructions for use:

1. Wash your hair with the laundry soap you will use for treatment to remove sebum from your hair. If necessary, do this again and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
2. Now lather your hair with anti-lice laundry soap, rubbing it into the hair roots and creating as much foam as possible. Pull on a rubber cap or plastic bag, tying a terry towel around the top to keep warm.
3. After an hour, rinse the foam thoroughly with warm water, but do not dry your hair with a hairdryer, just pat it dry with a towel.
4. Comb out parasites with a special thick comb over a spread sheet or newspaper.

Important : using a hair dryer is not recommended for two reasons. Firstly, it is more difficult to comb insects out of dry hair than from wet hair. Secondly, laundry, tar soap and shampoo dry the skin with alkalis; this effect should not be enhanced by hot air.

Properties of tar soap

Tar soap differs from household soap in the presence of birch tar in a concentration reaching 8%. The negative effect of the additive on insects may increase.

Birch tar has the following properties:

• drying (ability to extract water);
• antimicrobial;
• antifungal;
• suppressing parasites.

The combination of all qualities convinces that tar soap against bedbugs can be successfully used. The specific activity of tar in combination with the properties of soap will repel and poison insects.

Traditional recipes using tar and laundry soap

Over the course of several centuries, people have come up with many simple methods to combat bedbugs and other insects. In this case, the most available additives are used. Let's look at the main methods:

• To 7 parts by weight of laundry soap add 20 parts of kerosene and 10 parts of water. Mix the mixture well. Use the resulting solution to thoroughly wipe all cracks, surfaces, and back walls of cabinets. Remove dishes and personal items before processing;
• Make shavings using a grater from tar and laundry soap in equal proportions. Spread the mixture under beds, behind furniture, along baseboards. The shavings may lie there permanently;
• Dissolve as much soap crumbs as possible in hot water. Let the solution cool. Wipe all surfaces with a cloth soaked in soapy water. Spray the mixture from a spray bottle into the folds of upholstered furniture;
• Prepare a mixture of soap shavings. Add to it an equal amount of turpentine and 5 parts of ammonia solution (ammonia). Wipe all surfaces with the resulting liquid;
• Grind and dissolve soap crumbs in gasoline. Do this very carefully. Do not allow sparks to appear nearby. Use only metal containers. Wipe the legs, lower parts of furniture, and baseboards with the suspension.

Attention! There is often advice on the Internet to use a soap mixture with the addition of carbon disulfide. This is strictly not recommended. Carbon disulfide is a very toxic, inaccessible substance. Even if you manage to find it, you cannot use it at home!

Contraindications and side effects

In fact, contraindications exist for any drugs, and tar soap and shampoo are no exception. You will have to stop using these medications if you have:

• hair is too dry;
• have any kidney disease;
• allergic reaction (intolerance) to the smell of tar;
• age limit up to 3 years;
• dyed hair - the dye is washed out unevenly by alkalis, leaving stains;
• Use during pregnancy is permissible only after consultation with a doctor.

Prevention of head lice

It is very important to understand that eliminating the consequences of something is much more difficult than preventing them. Therefore, lice prevention is appropriate for all people, regardless of lifestyle.

This includes:

• regular washing of the head and body (shower, bath) with hot water and detergents (soap, gel, shampoo) at least once a week;
• weekly change of bed linen and underwear, and if necessary, more often as they become dirty.

If there is a risk of infection:

• things should be boiled and ironed with a hot iron;
• cut and comb hair regularly;
• examine each other once every few days;
• do not use other people’s underwear and clothes, hats, caps and personal hygiene items (razors, combs, brushes, etc.);
• regularly carry out wet cleaning of the premises.

Application against cockroaches and bedbugs

The use of this remedy against cockroaches, bedbugs and other ectoparasites is due to the composition of its components. As a rule, such insects are active at night, and during the day they hide in the cracks between floorboards, under baseboards or in furniture secluded grooves. It is almost impossible to track their daytime places, so you will have to treat the entire house or apartment with tar soap against cockroaches.

Your actions:

1. For 2 liters of warm water, grate a heaping tablespoon of tar soap on a coarse grater and dilute it until completely dissolved. To speed up the process, you can use hot or even boiled water - this will not affect the composition.
2. Wash floors and furniture with foamy liquid, trying to get as much of it into the grooves and crevices as possible.
3. Do not wash off the composition for 1-2 hours until everything is dry. After important wiping, the foam will remain in the cracks, and this smell will partially destroy the insects and simply drive the rest away.
4. This method contains one “but”. If tar soap for bedbugs definitely works, then some mutated species of cockroaches are no longer afraid of alkalis and the smell of tar. They will remain exhausted for some time, but then they will come to life. In such cases, other special means will be needed.

Tip : to get rid of bedbugs and cockroaches, in addition to tar soap, you can also use dust soap.

Additional properties of tar soap

Tar soap is characterized not only by a strong and unpleasant odor, but also by other properties:

1. It has a brown color (in some cases a chocolate tint);
2. “Dries” the hair by actively emulsifying fat (it must be taken into account that not all cats like bathing with products that dry out their fur);
3. The effect of soap is antibacterial and wound-healing. In this regard, tar soap can be effectively used for such skin diseases as seborrhea, and tar is a component of Vishnevsky ointment and other well-known ointments used for wound healing;
4. Characterized by the quality of poor foam creation, therefore it is not often used as a replacement for soap;
5. Reduces itching from parasite bites.

An important characteristic of tar soap is also its low price. The cost of one piece of such soap, which is enough for several cat baths, is about 50 rubles (at the same time, in online stores such soap can be sold at a price of up to 600 rubles). You can also remove fleas using liquid soap with tar (or shampoo).

So, if fleas appear on your pet’s fur, you can do the following: first try to remove fleas using tar-based soap, and then, if this does not help achieve the desired result, use a more effective product with synthetic insecticides. Also, soap based on the use of tar can be supplemented with other drugs, especially when taking into account its safety.