Repellents are among the most effective preventative means for controlling mosquito-borne diseases affecting humans. DEET-containing products continue to be the most effective repellents on the market, however, there is a growing search for alternatives because of skin/chemical sensitivity, odor and/or negative effects on plastics. Natural repellents containing plant extracts are among the most prevalent alternatives. There are well over a dozen products currently marketed. This study reports findings of laboratory studies to evaluate the long-term repellency of many of the most highly-touted alternatives compared to a DEET standard.
Species 1: Diptera Culicidae Culex nigripalpus
Species 2: Diptera Culicidae Culex quinquefasciatus (southern house mosquito)
Keywords: personal protection, disease control
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA