How does DEET work? Study says it confuses insects (Update)
For almost 50 years, people have used insect repellents containing DEET. But scientists still argue about how the stuff works.
Biochemistry
Sep 21, 2011
0
1
News tagged with insect repellents
What animal kills the most humans? Here's the unexpected predator and how to protect yourself
Between frightening movies like "Jaws" and tales about deadly animal encounters, some fear the wild animal kingdom because of potential danger.
Plants & Animals
Feb 2, 2023
0
17
Popular insect repellent deet affects nervous system: study
The active ingredient in many insect repellents, deet, has been found to be toxic to the central nervous system. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Biology say that more investigations are urgently needed ...
Plants & Animals
Aug 5, 2009
9
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Scientists investigate how DEET confuses countless critters
DEET, thought to be the most effective insect repellent available, may not be an insect repellent at all.
Biotechnology
Sep 26, 2018
6
157
Coconut oil compounds repel insects better than DEET
Compounds derived from coconut oil are better than DEET at repelling blood-sucking insects, according to a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) study.
Biochemistry
Nov 1, 2018
0
3146
New type of insect repellant may be thousands of times stronger than DEET
(PhysOrg.com) -- Imagine an insect repellant that not only is thousands of times more effective than DEET – the active ingredient in most commercial mosquito repellants – but also works against all types of insects, ...
Cell & Microbiology
May 9, 2011
22
0
77,000-year-old evidence for early 'bedding', use of medicinal plants at South African rock shelter
What were the daily lives of modern humans like more than 50,000 years ago?
Archaeology
Dec 8, 2011
1
0
Studies confirm breadfruit's ability to repel insects
Breadfruit, used as a folk remedy in Pacific regions to control insects, is an effective mosquito repellent, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have found.
Ecology
Nov 18, 2013
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2
Mosquito-repelling chemicals identified in traditional sweetgrass
Native North Americans have long adorned themselves and their homes with fragrant sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata), a native plant used in traditional medicine, to repel biting insects, and mosquitoes in particular. Now, researchers ...
Biochemistry
Aug 17, 2015
0
128
Sniffing out new repellents: Why mozzies can't stand the DEET
The smell of mozzie repellent is as much a part of summer as barbecues and the cricket. Despite supermarket and pharmacy shelves overflowing with insect repellents, there are actually only a few active ingredients to be found ...
Cell & Microbiology
Oct 27, 2014
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