Study summary
Evaluating repellence properties of a catnip essential oil-based mosquito repellent using the human landing catch method in Eastern Uganda
Batume C, Ssegujja I, Kongai G, Ayebare B, Ludlow RA, Fuchs LK, Logose SM, Ssebaale J, Randerson P, Mukisa IM, Pickett JA, Scofield S
- Study type
- Field Trial
- Year
- 2026
- Published in
- Scientific Reports 16
- Evidence strength
- Well-supported evidence
Summary
Human landing catch (HLC) field trial at two sites in Eastern Uganda (May-June 2025). Participants applied catnip lotion (2% and 6%, about 92% nepetalactone) to the lower legs during evening biting hours (18:00-22:00), compared against a 15% DEET lotion and a non-nepetalactone placebo lotion.
Key findings
Both catnip concentrations were highly effective at preventing mosquito landings. The 6% catnip lotion matched 15% DEET (roughly 89-95% repellence across trials), while 2% catnip was somewhat lower at about 68-91%. All active treatments held significant repellence versus the placebo across the 19:00-22:00 window, and the placebo confirmed that the effect depends on nepetalactone.
Limitations
Human landing catch measures landings avoided rather than a formal complete-protection-time endpoint, and testing covered a four-hour evening window rather than a full day. Two sites in one region; protection beyond four hours was not characterised.