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Northwestern Now The common plant shows promise as a new natural insect repellent New collaborative research from Northwestern University and Lund University may have people heading to their backyard instead of the store at the outset of this year’s mosquito season. Often used as an additive for cat toys and treats due to its euphoric and hallucinogenic effects on cats, catnip has also long been known for its powerful repellent action on insects, mosquitoes in particular. Recent research shows catnip compounds to be at least as effective as synthetic insect repellents such as DEET.  But un...

Catnip may be used as a natural insect repellent. [Gallio lab / Northwestern] While catnip is a common herb that is often used in cat toys and treats—due to its euphoric and hallucinogenic effects on our domesticated felines—it has also long been known for its powerful repellent action on insects, and mosquitoes in particular. An international team of scientists at Northwestern University and at Lund University has now identified a receptor that is responsible for the aversive effect that catnip and its nepetalactone ingredient, has on these insects. The studies, reported in Current Biol...