Homegrown Catnip Lotion Matches Deet's Mosquito-Repelling Power

Key Takeaways

A new study shows catnip lotion can effectively repel mosquitoes, rivaling traditional options.

• Catnip lotion is as effective as Deet
• Study conducted in Uganda
• Catnip belongs to the mint family
• Repelling mosquitoes can be done naturally
• Homegrown alternatives reduce chemical use

Why It Matters

This discovery offers a natural alternative to chemical repellents, potentially reducing health risks and promoting sustainable practices. It encourages the use of locally sourced materials.

What to Do Next

Consider making your own catnip lotion for mosquito repellent.

Permaculture Context

For anyone designing a homestead or food forest, catnip has long earned its place as a companion plant — attracting beneficial insects, accumulating minerals, and filling gaps in the herb guild. This research simply adds another compelling layer to an already productive relationship. What makes this finding particularly meaningful for regenerative practitioners isn't just the mosquito-repelling efficacy itself, but the entire supply chain it collapses: growing Nepeta cataria requires minimal inputs, it self-seeds readily, tolerates poor soils, and can be harvested and processed at home without industrial infrastructure. In regions like East Africa where this study was conducted, that distinction between a purchased chemical product and a plant you can grow outside your door carries enormous practical weight — and the same logic applies anywhere chemical repellents are expensive, inaccessible, or simply unwanted. For those of us building toward genuine resilience, this is a reminder to look hard at every dependency in daily life and ask whether a well-placed perennial plant might quietly replace it. Catnip is easy to grow; start a patch now before mosquito season demands it.