Connect with us

New Study Shows Coconut Oil Makes an Excellent Bug Repellent

Chemical repellents are the most common means of dissuading insects from crops and humans alike. One of the strongest repellents is DEET, which was first used as an insect repellent by the military during World War II. However, DEET presents some potential hazards to humans; in some, it can cause, rashes, dizziness, and in especially bad cases, seizures. Scientists have been researching less hazardous alternatives to DEET in both the chemical and natural fields, and one team may have found a winner.

A study from the US Department of Agriculture has found that coconut oil, of all things, can be used as a powerful insect repellent. To be specific, the oil itself is not a repellent, but several notable chemicals and fatty acids it contains are. In a series of tests, the team used a coconut oil compound against a control group of stable flies and checked their reactions. Not only were flies deterred from the target spot with 95% efficiency, a notable upshot from DEET’s usual 50%, but the compound maintained its efficiency for the entire duration of the test. The majority of natural and herbal repellents tend to lose their effectiveness rather quickly, but the coconut compound held strong.

The only downside is that, in order to exceed the effectiveness of DEET, a somewhat high amount of the coconut oil’s chemicals are required. Still, if the compound can create an even slightly higher benefit without the health risks, it could make for a marvelous advancement in the field, not just for protecting humans, but for cattle and other field animals.

Connect