Mosquito bites are a common problem during travel, especially to warmer countries. There is nothing worse than being away and realising you have been bitten and the urge to scratch them can be immense.
Mosquitoes can carry diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus, which can be serious and require medical attention. Spending your long awaited holiday itching and worrying about potential health issues is far from relaxing. However, there is one common household product that you may have used on your cats that may prevent mosquito bites.
Catnip essential oil is an effective mosquito repellent. Research indicates that catnip oil can repel both Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes. Allergy expert, Isabel Fernandez de Alba, told El Pais that catnip essential oils contains nepetalactone and can repel up to 70% of mosquitoes.
Fernandez de Alba told El Pais that tests have shown good results in some natural products.
“We discovered that catnip and its active ingredient nepetalactone activate the irritant receptor TRPA1, an ancient pain receptor found in animals as diverse as flatworms, fruit flies and humans,” said Marco Gallio, PhD, an associate professor of neurobiology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.
He added: “We now think catnip is so aversive to so many insect species because it activates this widespread irritant receptor. What is particularly interesting is that, unlike wasabi or garlic compounds that also activate these receptors in humans, catnip appears to selectively activate the insect receptor. This explains why humans are indifferent to it, and provides a serious advantage for its use as a repellent.”
Fernandez de Alba says citronella oil is also effective.
She also lifted the lid on why mosquitoes are attracted to certain people more than others.
“Body odour is made up of chemical compounds such as carboxylic acids and aldehydes. People who release higher amounts of certain substances tend to be more attractive to mosquitoes”, said Fernandez de Alba.