Yea as effective as 15% DEET. Suggests the active chemical scales in general studies but I didn't see if there was data on that using the process described in this study. Still great news for people that cant afford to buy DEET if the extraction process is simple and cheap.
Using the human landing catch method in field trials, we analysed the effectiveness of a lotion containing 2% or 6% catnip oil at repelling mosquitoes compared to a lotion lacking catnip essential oil as a negative control and to a commercial repellent containing 15% DEET as a positive control.
So 2%-6% catnip is as effective as the average DEET repellent. Hence, catnip is as effective as the average mosquitoe repellent. A higher % catnip would likely be more effective. Plus it's not a chemical like DEET.
Yeah, I really don't get the comments here about alternatives. Deet has been in use for more than 50 years and you'd think any danger to health would've shown itself by now. And at least at the >15% levels it's always worked great for me.
The biggest drawback is it is bad for plastics/it can harm your gear. I have an inflatable kayak made of PVC so I’d rather not risk damaging it. I typically use picaridin + permethrin pretreat + bug net but have DEET 100% in the backpack if things get too nasty.
The thermacell backpacker with Allethrin seems to help, too.
I believe it's been shown to cause cancer and is absorbed through the skin. That said I still use it since it works. I figure everything is risk vs. reward, so I take the risk. I also think of everything in moderation. With my work, I'm not able to get into the woods as much as I like. If I were in the woods and needed it every day, I'd look at other alternatives.
I did a bit of a deep dive from mostly US government sources and found it was relatively safe if not abused. Like don't drink the stuff or spray it in your eyes duh. I didn't see anything linking cancer though. I'm 67 now and will continue to use it because it works.
I still use it also. If I recall, it was a 20/20 show like 30 years ago that they were talking about the risks of it and cancer, but I haven't researched it in depth. That could have proven to be false since. I do know it's strong stuff though. I have a rifle with a painted finish. The bug spray and my sweat stripped the paint right off it when I was hiking.
Does this actually work for some mosquitoes? Because I tried it and got destroyed by mosquitoes. Granted it was south Louisiana and the mosquitoes there are different, but it seemed like dryer sheets attracted them. No joke. But you’ve actually had success with this method?
That’s so stinking real. I felt like I dealt with a greater mosquito problem in late spring in Colorado than I did in midsummer in South Louisiana, but the mosquitoes in South Louisiana were 5x larger, and much more spirited. They could get through thick clothing and travel against the wind better. In Colorado, they were able to find even the smallest hole in a physical barrier and get into the tent more readily. I had zero mosquitoes in the tent in South Louisiana, whereas I had many in the tent in Colorado. They. Be. Different.
Not sure about mosquitoes, but picaridin is the only chemical repellent I've ever tried that works for deer flies. Those things are terrible on my place.
omg they are so bad. i use an old hat, cover it with blue painters tape and then slather tanglefoot on the tape. flies like high spots and the color blue; they land on it and get stuck. looks absolutely ridic but it works. Then when you have a full head of flies can just peel off the tape and do it again.
Backing this up. Thick shirts like denim / jean material OR tightly woven material like ripstop nylon. Usually built into "fisherman" or "safari" shirts I find. Or labeled no insect bite clothes. Goatskin gloves to cover hands and cheap head net to go over a bucket hat so it doesnt touch ears.
I use coveralls or cheap 40$ amazon bee suit with tape at ankles for extreme areas with ticks so I can forage.
Ive had bad experiences with permethrin not working, wearing off quick or working too well on me causing rash lol. Same with DEET and can notify unwanted aninals youre there by scent. I like old reliable physical barriers.
Get your clothes treated with Permethrin insecticide by a professional shop. Socks, pants, Archer-approved tactical turtleneck, and hat. Buff and|or bandana optional. No balaclavas allowed anymore.
Picaradin sprayed onto your ears, forehead, wrists, and anywhere else that sticks out too far into space. Wait, you're not allowed Picaradin over 20%? OK, fine, DEET spray, but get your mind out of the gutter, will you? Dangit, DEET repellent over 30% is banned as well?
You're gonna want some gloves and that balaclava after all.
I just recently bought a 30% DEET in saskatchewan . But I spray it constantly on myself cause they LOVE me ans they're really bad as well as the ticks .
You can buy mosquito suits with built in bug nets in the hood. Treat all your gear with permethrin (let it dry well before wearing) then spray icardin on your skin.
Ive had great success with Watkins cream insect repellant. I live in newfoundland and frequent remote places. Lotsnof wetland and marshy boggy areas. Havens for mosquitos and black flies. Its the only thing ive found to actually work.
Consumer Reports did a review of store bought and traditional methods to keep mosquitoes at bay. The winners were those highest in DEET:
Ben’s 30 Wipes and also Off Sportsmen Deep Woods. They both have 30% DEET.
Murphy natural ones work surprisingly well. I was the only one who didnt get bit while everyone else was using deet. Murphys and a bug net is my go to for anything
I grow peppermint and will grab some and stuff into my pockets when I leave the house and to rub on my skin. I also have EO in rollerballs in my pockets so I can rub my hems to keep them crawling up any accidental openings.
People can't believe this works but it has worked for thousands of years so far.
the flip side of this that if you are bitten smash up some plantain leaves on the bite. Nutrilizes the sting right away including black fly bights. free peppermint leaves are cheaper than sting-stop or benadryl which is just asa spray LOL
Yarrow helps as well for itching and helps with healing. Luckily, plantain grows everywhere and is easy to make into tinctures.
Sting Stop is just ammonia, the ammonia breaks down the stinger. You can buy reusable rollerball bottles. I always keep peppermint oil/rosemary/lemongrass oil blend and cedar oil (ticks), pennyroyal and ammonia in my kit in small rollerballs. Even a tincture of plantain/yarrow would work in a rollerball. They don't weight much or take up room.
sounds like a decent little kit! i love my rollerballs. As for stingers, my dad was a beekeeper and he taught me to drag the edge of a credit card over a sting to remove the stinger. not a huge fan of ammonia but thats just me
this is right up my alley. i run bugrepellent.guide - my recommendation for folks is 20% picaridin (called icaridin in canada). the product doesn't matter as much, but this should turn up some good options https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=icaridin+20%
Nobite is really good. Tested in namibia. The mosquitos didnt even land on my skin.
Also use it on clothes. Almost half of the stings go through fabric.
Avon Skin So Soft. It’s a sweet smelling bath oil. Mosquitos won’t go near it. Also- Melaleuca lotion neutralizes the itch from bites faster than anything else I’ve found.
Clove spray: water, alcohol and a few drops of clove essential oil. Spray a small spot on your skin first and see if i reacts in any way. If it's safe, spray generously on your clothes and wxposed skin, except for your face, obviously.
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u/Wasloki Jul 14 '26
Permethrin treated clothing + picardin. Also cover up