Catnip Cultivation May Offer Natural Mosquito Repellent Alternative

Mosquitos cause constant concern in tropical regions since they can carry deadly diseases such as Malaria, Dengue Fever, and the Zika virus. Amid the global efforts to control outbreaks of Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases, new efforts are being made to develop natural mosquito repellents that can grow easily in affected regions. Some plant-based repellents can be initially as effective as DEET, but most evaporate too quickly and leave the user unprotected. One plant that shows promise is catnip. Researchers have developed a “super-catnip” with enhanced bioactive compounds while making it easier to grow commercially.