Catnip lotion matches Deet effectiveness in mosquito repellent study
6 reported
A study presented at the Society for Experimental Biology conference in Florence on Tuesday found that a homegrown catnip lotion is as effective as Deet at repelling mosquitoes. The research, conducted by a team working between Uganda and Wales, tested catnip oil concentrations on volunteers in eastern Uganda. Dr Simon Scofield of Cardiff University stated that a 6% catnip oil was just as effective as Deet, and a 2% concentration was only marginally less effective. The study aims to provide an affordable repellent for rural Ugandan subsistence farmers, as Deet is often too expensive for them. The lotion has been distributed for free using grant funding, but the next phase will involve selling it to create a sustainable income. Swai Kyeba, a research entomologist from Tanzania not involved in the study, called for further research on household use before scaling up production.
What’s reported
A catnip lotion was found to be as effective as Deet as a mosquito repellent in trials in Uganda.
The study was presented at the Society for Experimental Biology conference in Florence on Tuesday.
Dr Simon Scofield said a 6% catnip oil was just as effective as Deet, and 2% was only marginally less effective.
Deet is out of the price bracket for most rural Ugandan subsistence farmers, according to Scofield.
The lotion has been distributed for free using grant funding; the next phase will involve selling it.
Swai Kyeba urged further research on Ugandan households using currently available repellents before scaling up.
Key figures
Dr Simon Scofield, senior lecturer at Cardiff University
Swai Kyeba, research entomologist from the Ifakara Health Institute in Tanzania
Sources: The Guardian
