Study summary
PMD, a Registered Botanical Mosquito Repellent with Deet-Like Efficacy
Carroll SP, Loye J
Read the original paper- Study type
- Field Trial
- Year
- 2006
- Species tested
- Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, Ochlerotatus
- Published in
- Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association 22(3):507-514
- Evidence strength
- Well-supported evidence
How it was tested
A review plus original human-subject trials comparing PMD spray and lotion against high-concentration DEET and untreated controls over about six hours.
Summary
Carroll and Loye's case that PMD, the refined lemon-eucalyptus active, performs like DEET and deserved its 2005 CDC endorsement. It combines a review of PMD across mosquito genera with the authors' own field and lab trials.
Key findings
The paper concludes 20% PMD gave protection equal to 20% DEET, while 10% PMD was weaker, with 20% formulations lasting roughly 6 to 8 hours. Those specific numbers come from secondary sources citing the paper rather than the paywalled tables, so treat them as approximate, and note one author is tied to commercial PMD interests.
Limitations
The full text is paywalled so exact per-species numbers are unverified, protection is concentration-dependent (10% underperformed), and an author has a commercial interest.