Buzz
While summer has ended in the Western Hemisphere, it’s still crucial to stay vigilant. Mosquitoes will return, but now you can be ready. Researchers evaluated 10 substances for their mosquito-repelling abilities. While most findings aligned with existing knowledge, one unexpected discovery stood out: Victoria’s Secret Bombshell perfume works surprisingly well as a bug repellent.
Mosquitoes are more than mere nuisances. Equipped with a needle-like proboscis and a thirst for blood, they are ideal vectors for deadly diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and West Nile virus. While some scientists focus on curing these illnesses, others aim to prevent mosquito bites altogether.
Among these researchers is Stacy Rodriguez, a lab assistant at New Mexico State University’s Vector Physiology Lab. “Not all repellents are equally effective, despite being marketed that way,” Rodriguez stated in a recent press release. “It’s essential to inform consumers about what truly works.”
Rodriguez and her team conducted experiments using a Y-shaped tube, allowing mosquitoes to choose between a bare human hand and one treated with various chemical compounds. The study involved two mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, and tested 10 substances, including eight commercial repellents and two fragrances: Avon’s Skin So Soft bath oil and Victoria’s Secret Bombshell perfume.
As expected, DEET-based repellents were the most effective at deterring mosquitoes. Unfortunately, Avon’s Skin So Soft Bug Guard proved nearly ineffective. A vitamin B1 patch, advertised as a natural repellent, not only failed but also attracted mosquitoes.
Bombshell, however, delivered surprising results. While floral and fruity scents are typically known to attract mosquitoes, this perfume, despite its notes, repelled them for over two hours, defying conventional expectations.
The two mosquito species reacted differently to certain compounds. For instance, EcoSmart repellent lost its effectiveness against Ae. aegypti after 30 minutes but continued to repel Ae. albopictus for more than four hours. Both species, however, were consistently repelled by Bombshell.
The findings were published in the Journal of Insect Science.
If you plan to use perfume as a mosquito repellent, take note: the researchers applied a significant amount in their tests. They noted that lower concentrations might yield different results. While the perfume effectively repels mosquitoes, you might also end up driving away people around you with its strong fruity scent.
