Comparison of Contact and Spatial Repellency of Catnip Oil and <i>N,N</i>-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (Deet) Against Mosquitoes

Nepetalactone, the primary component of catnip oil, was compared with the repellent N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (deet) for its ability to affect the host-seeking ability ofAedes aegypti (L.). A triple cage olfactometer was used to bioassay each substance and to assess its attraction inhibition (spatial repellent) attributeswhencombinedwith the following attractants: carbondioxide, acetone, a blend of L-lactic acid and acetone, and human odors. Repellent tests were conducted with each substance against female Ae. aegypti, Anopheles albimanusWeidemann, and Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say. Catnip oil and deet were bothweakly attractive toAe. aegypti, catnip oil was the better spatial repellent, whereas deet was a more effective contact repellent in tests with all three species of mosquitoes.