The CDC is working on a new insect repellent using nootkatone, which is found in Alaska yellow cedar trees and citrus fruit. Listen to the story at NPR. Hat tip to Joe!
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You know, I really only half-listened to this in my morning rush yesterday, but now that I’ve read the whole article, this is pretty cool… including the part about how it’s already used as a flavoring agent. Cedar & grapefruit scent doesn’t sound bad either…
Sounds like a huge improvement over what is out there. I do use the CB I Hate Perfume bug stuff, and it’s better than nothing but it’s far from perfect.
I’m so glad you put this on the site. I heard the story and thought of NST!
I wonder if it will really happen, though. A few years ago the buzz was for a mint extract that was highly deterrant for mosquitoes, etc., and it doesn’t seem to have materialized. . .
Maybe you are thinking of linalool? According to the article in Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linalool it has apparently not turned out to be very effective against mosquitoes. I have seen household insect sprays that have it, though, and it certainly smells better than some of the other stuff. Pyrethrum is also a natural insecticide found in chrysanthemums. I can report that in my garden at least, the roses that are growing near my rosemary shrub do not get aphids, whereas most of the others do. Apparently, aphids do not care for the scent of rosemary.
Maybe? I don’t remember too many specifics. I just remember thinking that it’d sure be nice to have something minty-smelling instead of DEET-y!
And the rabbits leave the rosemary alone too, I can attest to that.