The Swiss textile technology innovator HeiQ has launched HeiQ Bug Guard at this year’s ISPO Munich. HeiQ Bug Guard is a reliable and highly effective technology for durable mosquito and insect protection. Wearing apparel empowered by HeiQ Bug Guard reduces the risk of mosquito and bug bites and consequently decreases the likelihood of infection with life-threatening diseases such as Zika, Malaria and Dengue.
The mosquito’s ability to sting through clothing – especially thinner materials – increases the need for an effective and durable technology, such as HeiQ Bug Guard. Especially of interest for outdoor gear manufacturers, this durable textile finishing technology is also used on every-day apparel and home textiles, such as mattresses. HeiQ Bug Guard provides prolonged contact protection against mosquitoes but also repels ticks, dust mites, bed bugs and carpet beetles. The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (TPH) has tested and proven its exceptional efficiency and durability up to 100 washings.
As a full service partner, HeiQ offers two industry standard test methods for efficacy: the exposure test (TL 830 50331) and the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) test, which determines the permethrin level. Permethrin, the bioactive ingredient of HeiQ Bug Guard, is the only pesticide approved by the US EPA for use in clothing and gear, and is also permitted by bluesign for non-skin contact articles. HeiQ Bug Guard is applicable to all textile fibre types (except for 100 per cent polypropylene) and complies with Oekotex Standard 100.