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Catnip lotion as effective as Deet at repelling mosquitoes, study finds (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 2 weeks ago by yogthos@lemmy.ml to c/science@lemmy.ml

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[–] fireweed@lemmy.world 9 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

The trial compared the catnip lotion against 15% DEET, so it's unknown how it compares against stronger formulas. However this is quite promising and I hope further studies are conducted globally! Catnip, as a member of the mint family, is quite a fast-growing, hardy plant, and could easily replace DEET for both home and commercial products if it continues to prove effective.

[–] LastYearsIrritant@sopuli.xyz 14 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Most of the "effective as DEET" oils only last a very short amount of time because they evaporate too quickly. Which is why the CDC doesn't recommend them when traveling to locations with high mosquito disease transmission.

Curious if Catnip oil has the same issue, the article doesn't say.

[–] OwOarchist@pawb.social 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

So ... we just need to mix catnip/peppermint oil into a less volatile carrier to slow the evaporation, yes?

[–] LastYearsIrritant@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 weeks ago

Then they're less effective.