Overview
- Researchers report a 6% catnip oil lotion repelled mosquitoes as effectively as a DEET product in both laboratory and human landing catch field tests.
- The team combined Y‑tube olfactometer assays with evening field trials in Budaka district to compare 6% and 2% catnip formulations against a commercial DEET lotion.
- The repellent, branded DSK lotion and led by CEMPOP Uganda Limited, has been distributed free during grant‑funded trials while organizers plan to scale up local production and sell the lotion at low cost.
- Project leaders say nepetalactone, the active compound in catnip oil, is safe, pleasant smelling and easy to extract but is non‑patentable, which reduces interest from large pharmaceutical firms.
- Researchers are working with Makerere University and Ugandan health officials on next steps such as wider roll‑out, regulatory checks and assessing use against other biting insects like midges and ticks.