Stress Keeps Mosquitoes Away

New compound 'thousands time more effective than DEET'

(NEWSER) - Life may soon get a lot tougher for mosquitos and other bugs that like to dine on human blood. Researchers have discovered a compound that completely jams an insect's sense of smell, making it much harder for mosquitos to find their prey, Discover reports. Early tests suggest that the compound is thousands of times more effective than DEET, the active ingredient in most mosquito repellents, and appears to work on all insects, including flies and ants. More»

All-natural chemical sends mosquitos, ticks fleeing

(NEWSER) - Repelled by bug repellent? The answer to your bug-blocking needs may be found in a grapefruit. A chemical called nootkatone found in citrus fruit and certain Alaskan trees works wonders against mosquitos, ticks, and probably bedbugs—and it’s likely safe enough to drink, NPR reports. “If you've had a grapefruit, you've consumed some nootkatone,” says a scientist. More»

Keep the bugs from biting without the toxins

(NEWSER) - Looking to keep the mosquitos away but not crazy about slathering yourself in a chemical such as DEET? Grist slapped on five DEET-free alternatives, with varying results:

1. All Terrain Herbal Armor: This spray might be eco-friendly, but a medicine smell and filmy skin coating make that $4.99 better spent elsewhere.

Pepper compounds keep mosquitoes away 3 times longer than top dog DEET

(NEWSER) - Researchers have found bug repellents that keep mosquitoes from biting for up to 73 days, WebMD reports. Compounds found in pepper kept bugs away nearly three times as long as industry leader DEET, which manages just 17.5 days under the same conditions—though a normal human would sweat or wash away the spray in that length of time. More»

A nervous mouse is a chubby mouse

(NEWSER) - A newly discovered chemical connection between chronic stress and fat could help curb obesity— or grow fat in places like breasts for cosmetic purposes, the Washington Post reports. Scientists found that stressed-out mice on a rodent junk-food diet grew the fattest, and that injecting or blocking a stress neurotransmitter can induce, or reduce, weight gain. More»