Catnip is ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET
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CONTESTED
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refutedsupported
the weight of evidence
4 sources for · 1 against
Some sources and reference books state that catnip oil is ten times more effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes, while other studies evaluate its repellent properties.
New reseach shows catnip offers an effective alternative to traditional mosquito repellents. Two researchers at Iowa State University found an oily substance in the plant is ten times more effective than DEET at keeping mosquitos away. Lead researcher Joel Coats tested the catnip oil on the yellow fever mosquito, a variety that isn't common in the midwest. But he says he's confident the oil will repel other types of mosquitos.
Mosquitoes (Diperta: Culidae) act as vectors for several diseases, including malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever. Mosquito repellents represent one of the primary measures used to reduce the risk of these diseases in humans by reducing mosquito landing and biting events. Nepetalactone, a natural insect repellent primarily found in the essential oil of catnip (Lamiaceae; Nepeta cataria), has established mosquito repellence properties, but has not been widely exploited as a mosquito repellent in malaria-endemic regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we evaluated the potential of a locally produced lotion containing catnip essential oil (comprising > 92% nepetalactone) for use as a mosquito repellent in Eastern Uganda. Using the human landing catch method in field trials, we analysed the effectiveness of a lotion containing 2% or 6% catnip oil at repelling mosquitoes compared to a lotion lacking catnip essential oil as a negative control and to a commercial repellent containing 15% DEET as a positive control. We found that lotions containing both concentrations of catnip essential oil were highly effective at preventing mosquito landing, with 6% catnip oil performing as well as 15% DEET. Our findings suggest that nepetalactone could be used as a natural, locally sourced and effective alternative to synthetic commercial mosquito repellents, thereby representing a viable import substitution option for protection against mosquito-borne diseases.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) not only excites cats, it also repels mosquitoes. Joel Coats and Chris Peterson at Iowa State University (Ames, IA, USA) found that oils from catnip are ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET is, a chemical used in current repellents. The results were reported at the American Chemical Society's meeting in Chicago. Catnip contains two forms of nepetalacetone that when smeared on one-half of a glass tube repel ∼80% of the insects away from the volatile substances. Catnip is also effective in repelling cockroaches. When asked whether the compounds would attract cats, Coats told reporters, ‘If you sat near a cat, you might generate more interest than usual. They might want to play.’ [Collins, V. (2001) The Herald (Glasgow), 28 August, p. 3] TS
their insect-repelling qualities) Castile soap You can easily add some insect-repelling qualities to … extracts have been shown to be 100 percent effective at repelling ants.?'® The herbs give off a strong scent … CATARIA): Catnip is not just for driving your cats wild. The oil in catnip, nepetalactone, is ten times better
characteristic odor, is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET— the compound … alimentary canal, with fresh fruits being far more effective for this purpose than stewed or canned … calls Sambucol, which has been shown effective at inactivating viruses, no small feat. In
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