Catnip lotion as effective as Deet at repelling mosquitoes, study finds
Summary
A study in Uganda found that lotion made from catnip oil repels mosquitoes as well as the widely used chemical repellent Deet. The lotion could be produced locally and sold at low cost, offering a new tool to help fight malaria in Africa.Key Facts
- Catnip oil contains nepetalactone, a chemical known to repel insects and cause euphoria in cats.
- Researchers tested lotions with 2% and 6% catnip oil against 15% Deet lotion in Uganda.
- The 6% catnip lotion was as effective as Deet in reducing mosquito bites; 2% was slightly less effective.
- Malaria infects about 282 million people annually and caused 610,000 deaths in 2024, mostly young children in Africa.
- Commercial Deet repellents are too expensive for many rural Ugandans.
- Local production of catnip lotion could create jobs and keep costs low.
- The study was presented at the Society for Experimental Biology conference in Florence.
- Experts say repellents need regular use to work well, so they complement other malaria control methods.
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