Catnip Repels Mosquitoes More Effectively Than DEET

[Why Syzygy]

Catnip Repels Mosquitoes More Effectively Than DEET

ScienceDaily (Aug. 28, 2001) — CHICAGO, August 27 — Researchers report that nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odor, is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET — the compound used in most commercial insect repellents.

The finding was reported today at the 222nd national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, by the same Iowa State University research group that two years ago discovered that catnip also repels cockroaches.

Entomologist Chris Peterson, Ph.D., with Joel Coats, Ph.D., chair of the university’s entomology department, led the effort to test catnip’s ability to repel mosquitoes. Peterson, a former post-doctoral research associate at the school, is now with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Wood Products Insects Research Unit, in Starkville, Miss.

While they used so-called yellow fever mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) — one of several species of mosquitoes found in the United States — Peterson says catnip should work against all types of mosquitoes. (...)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/08/010828075659.htm

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

1. Wow! I know they make catnip sprays. I saw one just the other day

in the pet store to refurbish your cat toys with and I thought about buying it.

[tblue37]

20. Heh! I actually have a catnip mist that I use when I want to give my

kitties a quick trip without having to crush the leaves in 4 different places to amuse all of them and keep them separated.

[47of74]

2. I wouldn't wanna be around my sister's cat then

She'd be all over me.

[CoffeeCat]

4. LOL!

True...the mosquitoes will leave you alone, but every cat in the neighborhood
will be lovin you up!

[emsimon33]

25. That was my first thought. I had this image of being covered by cats!

[meow2u3]

45. Loving you up? My cat ATTACKS me when I spray catnip mist on me!

You don't know Max very well (his pic is my avatar). You never had a stoned cat slap you in the face--literally.

[Patchuli]

24. Our cat finds us irresistable for licking purposes anyway

I think we're like living salt licks!

[47of74]

32. Normally she doesn't do much licking...

But if we sprayed ourselves with catnip we'd be big ol' saltlicks to her.

[DJ13]

3. "Well I got rid of the mosquitoes... "

"... but now the neighborhood cats keep trying to hump my legs!"

[razorman]

5. I'd rather have the mosquitoes than the damn cats.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

6. "Claw you!"

;-)

[drmeow]

16. LOL!

[Stellabella]

21. +1

:)

[femrap]

31. I second that!

People who can't tolerate other's pets deserve worse than the finger.

Your cat looks just like mine!

[47of74]

34. And I third it

[Why Syzygy]

9. Mosquitoes never bite me.

I'm natural chigger bait, but something about my blood is unsatisfactory to mosquitoes.

[kster]

14. Same here

never could figure it out. :)

[drmeow]

17. I used to be the opposite of you

something about my blood was irresistible to mosquitoes when I was younger.

I heard insufficient potassium attracts them - do you eat a lot of bananas?

[Why Syzygy]

19. Not really.

The only thing I can think of . they used to moderately bother me. But I've never been one to spray poison on my skin regardless. I lived in Las Vegas for four years in the early '90s, where there are no mosquitoes. Then when I returned to this part of the country, they just left me alone. :shrug:

[razorman]

27. My two sons are opposites. Skeeters will swarm one, and leave the other alone.

[femrap]

33. It may be that you oxidize at a lower

rate. I oxidize at an above average rate....so at a picnic I'm the one who attracts all of the mosquitoes. That's what my doc told me.

[Why Syzygy]

36. oh my gosh...

Did he give you any other information about that? I've never heard such a thing. That would mean that you age faster? How is this measured?

[femrap]

42. He said mosquitos can sense the most

tiny amount of differential in oxidation. I absolutely wither in hot weather....I sweat A LOT just as my grandmother did. The mosquitos pick up on that and love to nibble on me. You probably just oxidize at a normal rate.

I've never heard about the aging thing. The doctor didn't seem to be alarmed because he said his son oxidized faster as well...and got all the mosquitoes.

So I am going to age faster??? I always knew I wouldn't/didn't want to live to be old. Plus I'm starting to get bored....I've done waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much and had waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much fun so I wouldn't mind getting hit by a Mack Truck FROM BEHIND, of course, before I'm 65.

My heart rate is a bit above normal as well...but within an OK range.

[emilyg]

10. .....

:spank:

[woo me with science]

7. LOL.

Yeah, this is better.

[4_TN_TITANS]

8. Interesting... catnip is also a relaxing smoke

for those who didn't know. :smoke:

[The River]

11. Don't Let Big Pharma Know

they will get it outlawed and replace it
with a $20 pill.

[waiting for hope]

12. Both my kids are mosquitoes magnets ...

Interesting - then probably my more stand offish kitty would be loving on them! :)

[pansypoo53219]

13. fleas too i bet.

why cats are smart enough to roll in it.

explains why our yard has so few. if anybody would like some fresh catnip.......my cats have been endulged.

[Why Syzygy]

15. I'm going to plant some.

We've had tons of rain, and that increases chances for a mosquito population explosion.

[drmeow]

18. Last batch of catnip I planted

was destroyed by the feral cats living in my neighbor's garage!

[uppityperson]

22. I have to cage mine also. Funny looking when it gets to be square shaped

the cats nibble down all the bits that stick out, it bushes out to fill the cage.

[jberryhill]

40. Oh the PLANTS... I thought you meant the CATS from the subject line /nt

[uppityperson]

43. Bonsai kittens!

Have you ever seen that (fake) website? Some people got very upset with them, thinking they were real.

[intheflow]

38. That's what I thought, too.

I pictured how my cat used to roll in the catnip (back when I had a cat and a catnip patch). I'll be that's what controlled her fleas and ticks, she never had a problem with them at all.

[jberryhill]

23. What An Insane Idea...

Cats don't just "like" catnip. Some of them become quite aggressive in going after it.

Traveling abroad, I'd rather take my chances with malaria before I'd put on catnip essential oil. God only knows what you'd catch from feral cats.

"I'll be back in a while, hon, I'm going hiking in cougar country."

"Oh, hang on, here... put on some catnip oil."

My ass.

[Confusious]

26. Har!

Warning: Do not use in rocky mountain state.

[Why Syzygy]

37. lol!

Cougar chew toy?

[Shagbark Hickory]

28. interesting factoid

interesting factoid

[Blue Gardener]

29. I guess the cats will have to share

I have plenty growing in the yard for all of us.

[femrap]

30. Catnip makes my cat

mean...and I mean MEAN! He's a violent drunk.

[bvar22]

35. Cool!

We've always included some catnip in our garden.
It is a pretty plant, easy to grow,
it seems to provide a natural protection from the more malicious insects,
and our cats LOVE it.

[intheflow]

39. Catnip repels cockroaches?!?!

Where was this info when I lived in Mississippi and was constantly invaded by 3" long roaches?

[DCKit]

41. You could've sold them as pets up north.

At 3" they'd be big enough for a leash.

[meow2u3]

44. Forget the mosquito infestation

You'll end up with a freakin' cat infestation!