Researchers in Uganda found that a catnip lotion containing nepetalactone repels mosquitoes as effectively as synthetic Deet, offering a cheaper and locally-producible alternative. The discovery could expand access to affordable mosquito protection in regions where malaria and dengue transmission remain significant public health challenges.
Guardian Global Development · Tuesday, 7 July 2026
Researchers testing a cheap, homegrown oil in Uganda found what cats knew all along – it worked as well as the artificial chemical used globally A homegrown catnip lotion has proven “just as effective as Deet” as a mosquito repellant in trials carried out in Uganda.Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a common herb from the mint family. The chemical in the plant that causes feline euphoria – nepetalactone – also has insect-repelling properties but this has not previously been commercialised. Continue reading...
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