虫除け

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The spelling is 虫除け, read as むしよけ. It is a noun covering repellents, barriers, and other measures used to keep insects away.
• Basic usage: Applying insect repellent to one’s arms appears in 腕に虫除けを塗る, while referring to a screen that keeps insects out appears in 虫除けの網.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Difference from 殺虫剤
  • It is not limited to chemicals that kill insects and also includes products or barriers that repel or block them.