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Catnip Oil Matches DEET at Repelling Mosquitoes in Uganda Trials
The Guardian·Wednesday, 8 July 2026
A lotion made from catnip — a common herb from the mint family — has been shown to be just as effective as DEET, the world's most widely used chemical mosquito repellent, in trials carried out in Uganda. The active compound in catnip, nepetalactone, is what causes the familiar euphoric reaction in cats and also has insect-repelling properties. Researchers describe the catnip lotion as cheap and homegrown.
Why It Matters
Mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue are a major public health burden in India, so a cheap, natural alternative to chemical repellents could matter to millions of people.
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