Researchers have found through a new study that they have managed to create bug repellents which are even more effective than DEET.
The study on these bug repellents was led by Ulrich R. Bernier of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s mosquito and fly research unit in Gainesville, Florida.
They have found that the new bug repellents are more effective than DEET, working for 40 to 50 days, compared to around 17 for DEET.
DEET was used by the military in 1946 but was later found to carry health risks with it.
The hope is that within the next 5 years these new bug repellents can help right West Nile, Lyme disease, fever, malaria, and dengue fever.
The study has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.