How to attract cats and repel mosquitoes--and roaches--at the same time

[meow2u3]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/08/010828075659.htm

27 — Researchers report that nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odor, is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET — the compound used in most commercial insect repellents.


The finding was reported today at the 222nd national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, by the same Iowa State University research group that two years ago discovered that catnip also repels cockroaches.

Entomologist Chris Peterson, Ph.D., with Joel Coats, Ph.D., chair of the university’s entomology department, led the effort to test catnip’s ability to repel mosquitoes. Peterson, a former post-doctoral research associate at the school, is now with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Wood Products Insects Research Unit, in Starkville, Miss.

[ginnyinWI]

1. Great news--non toxic and it grows wild around here! n/t

[emilyg]

2. Spray or fresh?

[Sanity Claws]

3. What are we supposed to do with the catnip?

One of my cats likes to roll in it. I just don't see myself doing that.
I've heard catnip tea is good for relaxing. I wonder if a catnip tea is enough to ward off the bugs.

[meow2u3]

4. I make a STRONG catnip tea, put it in my catnip spray bottle,

...and not only use it to spray my cats' toys, but also I spray myself down with it before I go out. Needless to say, the cats--especially Max--gets a whiff of the nip and goes absulutely nuts! Mosquitoes stay far away and roaches stay out of my room. I suggested it to my landlady, but she doesn't believe me.

I wish I could afford a video camera. This way, I can upload how Mad Max acts on catnip.

On edit: my avatar is a pic of Max when he was 5 months old.

[prole_for_peace]

8. I may have to try this..

Our mosquitos are crazy.

I have one catnip plant. I wonder if I can make a "tea" of fresh and dried...

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. So you slather yourself with a catnip poultice, and you don't have to worry about mosquitoes.

But wouldn't be a little awkward to be covered with stoned cats?

[ginnyinWI]

6. LOL

Don't worry--the effect wears off after about 20 min or so--they they will drop back off! :rofl:

[meow2u3]

7. My cat actually slapped me in the face after I sprayed myself with catnip spray

Max is so crazy :crazy: