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Catnip as Good as DEET? Cheap Mosquito Repellent Could Be a Game-Changer for India
World news | The Guardian·Thursday, 9 July 2026
A study in Uganda found that a lotion made from catnip — a common herb — repelled mosquitoes just as effectively as DEET, the widely used synthetic chemical. The active compound, nepetalactone, is what makes cats go wild but also keeps insects away. This is the first field trial confirming its effectiveness as a topical repellent.
Why It Matters
India has one of the world's highest burdens of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria. A cheap, natural repellent that works as well as DEET could be a practical and affordable option for millions of Indians.
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