CHICAGO, August 27 — "Researchers report that nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odor, is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET—the compound used in most commercial insect repellents."
 
The finding was reported at the 222nd national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, by the same Iowa State University research group that two years ago discovered that catnip also repels cockroaches.
 
Catnip is a perennial herb belonging to the mint family and grows wild in most parts of the United States, although it also is cultivated for commercial use. Catnip is native to Europe and was introduced to this country in the late 18th century. It is primarily known for the stimulating effect it has on cats, although some people use the leaves in tea, as a meat tenderizer and even as a folk treatment for various things. It is a very effective deterent.
 
Ingredients: 91% Isopropyl Alcohol (ETOH), Distilled water (Aqua), Solubol (Dispersant); Catnip (Nepeta cataria), Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis)