CATNIP DRIVES CATS WILD, BUT DRIVES MOSQUITOES AWAY

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CATNIP DRIVES CATS WILD, BUT DRIVES MOSQUITOES AWAY

 

AMES, Iowa -- Although it drives cats wild, catnip appears to be a big

turn-off for mosquitoes.

 

In research conducted at Iowa State University , catnip was 10 times more

effective at repelling mosquitoes than the compound used in most commercial bug

repellents. The finding was reported today at the 222nd national meeting of

the American Chemical Society in Chicago .

 

Chris Peterson and Joel Coats studied the effect of nepetalactone on

mosquitoes. Nepetalactone is an essential oil in catnip that gives the plant

its

odor. In past studies, the researchers had found that catnip oils could repel

cockroaches. Peterson recently left a post-doctoral research position at Iowa

State and is now working as an entomologist with the U.S. Forest Service in

Starkville , Miss. Coats is the chair of ISU's Department of Entomology.

 

The researchers placed groups of 20 mosquitoes in a glass tube treated on

one side with a high dose of nepetalactone. After 10 minutes, an average of 80

percent of the mosquitoes had moved to the untreated side of the tube. In a

low-dose test, an average of 75 percent moved to the untreated side.

 

The researchers conducted similar tests with DEET (diethyl-meta-toluamide),

the compound used in many commercial repellents. In those tests, 55 to 60

percent of the insects moved away from the treated side.

 

In the laboratory, repellency is measured on a scale from 100 percent (all

mosquitoes repelled) to -100 percent (all mosquitoes attracted). In the ISU

tests, catnip ratings ranged from 49 to 59 percent at high doses, and 39 to 53

percent at low doses.

 

Peterson said it took about a tenth as much nepetalactone to have the same

repellency as DEET. " In other words, nepetalactone is about 10 times more

effective than DEET, " he said. " Most commercial insect repellents contain about

5

to 25 percent DEET. Presumably, much less catnip oil would be needed to

achieve the same repellency as a DEET-based repellent. "

 

Why catnip repels mosquitoes remains a mystery. " It might simply be an

irritant, " said Peterson, " or they just don't like the smell. "

 

No animal or human tests are scheduled for nepetalactone, although Peterson

is hopeful that will take place in the future. Iowa State has submitted a

patent application for the use of catnip compounds as insect repellents. The

project was funded by the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment

Station.

 

Catnip is a perennial herb in the mint family and grows wild in most parts

of the United States . It also is cultivated for commercial use. It's

primarily known for its stimulating effect on cats, although some people use

the

leaves in tea, as a meat tenderizer and as a folk treatment for fevers, colds,

cramps and migraines. The plant also is used to make light yellow dye.

 

You are the joy of all joyous things, You are the light of the beam of the

sun,

You are the surpassing star of guidance,You are the step of the deer on the

hill,You are the step of the horse in the river valley,You are the shape of

the swan of swimming,You are the grace of all lovely graces.

--Old Gaelic Blessing

 

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