Study Finds 6% Catnip Lotion Matches DEET Against Mosquitoes
Updated
Updated · PhillyVoice.com · Jul 7
Study Finds 6% Catnip Lotion Matches DEET Against Mosquitoes
3 articles · Updated · PhillyVoice.com · Jul 7
Summary
A study presented Tuesday in Florence found 6% catnip oil lotion repelled mosquitoes as effectively as DEET, while a 2% version was only marginally less effective.
Uganda field trials confirmed earlier lab results by counting mosquito landings on volunteers' legs, giving one of the first rigorous tests of catnip as a repellent.
Researchers said the aim was a cheaper, locally producible alternative for communities where DEET is too costly, especially as a complementary tool against malaria.
DEET remains an FDA-vetted repellent with established safety, and the study did not say whether catnip-based products will reach wider commercial markets.
As a Ugandan catnip lotion proves as effective as DEET, can this grassroots innovation challenge the global billion-dollar repellent industry?
Beyond killing mosquitoes, could community-owned production of repellents be the ultimate tool for empowering Africa's fight against malaria?
Catnip Lotion Matches DEET: A Community-Driven, Locally Produced Mosquito Repellent Breakthrough for Malaria Control in Uganda
Overview
Recent field trials in Eastern Uganda, published in July 2026, revealed that a 6% catnip essential oil lotion provides mosquito protection comparable to a 15% DEET lotion. This breakthrough is especially important for rural communities where the high cost of DEET makes effective repellents inaccessible. The research, led by Dr. Simon Scofield and his team, focused on creating an affordable solution that involves local community production. By enabling local cultivation and manufacturing, the catnip lotion not only offers strong mosquito repellency but also supports economic sustainability and greater accessibility for those most at risk.