Catnip used as protection from mosquito and biting fly

[Amish Country]

Catnip (herb) mixed in with feed was used to protect live stock from mosquito and biting fly.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101208125811.htm

This article claims that catnip oil (nepetalactone) is more effective than DEET.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/08/010828075659.htm

Cats seem to like it too! - AC

[Emily]

Re: Catnip used as protection from mosquito and biting fly

Interesting! I like cats a lot better than mosquitoes.

[Amish Country]

Re: Catnip used as protection from mosquito and biting fly

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is relatively easy to grow in our area. WARNING: It is a mint and many mints are very invasive, spreading via seeds, sprouts from outlying roots and root cuttings from trying to dig up the scourge! Mints especially spearmint I grow in containers because once it is in the soil it is almost impossible to get rid of. An old friend of mine tried cutting, digging and just about every herbicide she could get her hands on to get rid of spearmint with no luck. She said that Round Up only made it wilt a little but could not kill it.

It should not be too hard to tuck a few sprigs of catnip into the animal's feed bins. A sachet may find its way into the closet and clothes draws. I've also noticed that mints in our area have square stems.


More general information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catnip

[Amish Country]

Re: Catnip used as protection from mosquito and biting fly

I recently talked to a shaman who told me that as part of their traditional medicine practices some First Nation peoples used plantain (low growing leafy herb not the banana) as a repelent for bitting insects. It has also been used as a food source. However it has additional medical properties according to some herbalists and some suggest that it should not be used by pregnant women.

[Shannon Bennett]

Re: Catnip used as protection from mosquito and biting fly

All mints everywhere have square stems. So if you are ever camping and someone has a tummy upset, you will know how to find a member of the mint family to ease their suffering. Although all mints do not taste the same and some are better at easing an upset stomach better than other members of the same family.

[Emily]

Re: Catnip used as protection from mosquito and biting fly

I posted a thread in General Science, (rather than here since the research sounds far from the application stage), about another mint family member, Scutellaria lateriflora (Skullcap), being researched as a remedy for prion diseases.

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=183741

[Emily]

Re: Catnip used as protection from mosquito and biting fly

DuPont made this announcement in 2008. I wonder why this research has not resulted in a commercial product? USDA was doing promising research with pine oil and another DEET competitor, (which would not 'melt plastic' like DEET does), but neither has gone mainstream and I see little further research along those lines since then.

http://dupont.t2h.yet2.com/t2h/page/...0&page=tpprint

First natural insect repellent with the efficacy of DEET and a clean safety profile

For the first time, a safe insect repellent active ingredient with the efficacy of DEET is available from a natural, sustainable source -- the catmint plant. Protection times in field tests are equal or superior to traditional DEET-based insect repellent products, often at reduced active ingredient loadings. The catmint-derived active allows safe, frequent reapplication as needed, even on the sensitive skin of children. The active demonstrates efficacy comparable to existing synthetic active ingredients towards a broad range of biting insects. It has been extensively and successfully tested against 1) mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti, Anopheles albimanus, Ochlerotatus intrudents, and mixed wild populations in Florida, USA); 2) biting flies, such as Stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and Black flies (Simulium decorum); 3) Deer tick (Ixodes scapularis); and 4) stored-product pests, such as Rice weevils (Sitophilus oryzae) and Flour beetles (Tribolium spp). The technology provides a process for manufacturing a safe, stable, bio-based insect repellent that can be delivered in a variety of topical product formats including liquid (alcohol-based) pump sprays, lotions and impregnated wipes. The technology offers world-wide patent coverage.
Benefits Summary

o As effective as DEET. o Safe for frequent re-application as needed. o Natural, sustainable, plant-based source. o Effective against a broad range of insects. o Suitable to a variety of delivery methods. o Stable for long storage. o World-wide patent protection. more

Development Summary

Development information was not provided for this TechPak.

IP Summary

This technology is supported by 3 US patents. The most recent year of issue is 2007. more
Technology Benefits Description

Great efficacy for many common pests
Safe, naturally-derived chemical
Pleasant fragrance
Flexibility of delivery – liquid, pump spray, lotions, impregnated wipes, candles
Safe and stable for long storage



Technology Differentiation and Uniqueness

This technology is a safe, effective biopesticide. Full health effect assessments of the active ingredient and consumer formulations thereof have been carried out to support regulatory requirements, and registration dossiers included field insect repellent efficacy trials (mosquitoes and black flies) as well as product characterization studies. All studies were conducted to U.S. EPA GLP requirements. The active ingredient was registered under the U.S. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act on December 4, 2008 (EPA Reg. No. 71654-20).



A key attribute of Refined Oil of Nepeta catariais its safety profile, which supports repeat-use applications such as in sunscreens, as well as applications to young children. Such applications are currently denied to eg DEET in the U.S. and Canada due to safety concerns...

[mixin]

Re: Catnip used as protection from mosquito and biting fly

Gs and I had a discussion about this several days ago; I won't post the info because it contains brand names. Below is a ink to a study he found; I'm surprised that catnip wasn't included among those tested. My friend's husband tested a catnip formulation that I found online and he thought it worked as well as the DEET product he was using (and he liked the smell better).

************************

Evaluation of commercial products for personal protection against mosquitoes.
Revay EE1, Junnila A, Xue RD, Kline DL, Bernier UR, Kravchenko VD, Qualls WA, Ghattas N, M?ller GC.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23092689