DEET, one of the world's most widely used mosquito repellents, could, under certain circumstances, be associated by mosquitoes with a food source. This is the surprising conclusion of a study conducted by researchers from the University of Tours and Virginia Tech University in the United States, published in the Journal of Experimental BiologyScientists have observed that some mosquitoes are able to learn to link the smell of the product to the presence of a blood meal.
The work focused on the species Aedes aegyptimosquitoes are vectors of diseases such as dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever. In the laboratory, researchers exposed female mosquitoes to warm blood while diffusing the scent of DEET. After several repetitions, more than 60% of the trained insects attempted to bite when exposed to the repellent alone, indicating that they had associated this scent with a food reward.
The importance of combining several preventative measures
The study authors emphasize, however, that these results were obtained under very specific experimental conditions and do not call into question the effectiveness of DEET. According to them, the main risk arises when the concentration of the product decreases over time, after swimming or heavy perspiration. A mosquito that manages to feed despite this could then associate the residual odor of the repellent with a successful meal.
This discovery reinforces the recommendations already issued by health authorities: apply repellents correctly and reapply them regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. Experts reiterate that DEET-based products remain among the most effective means of protection against mosquitoes and should be used in conjunction with other preventative measures, such as mosquito nets, protective clothing, and eliminating standing water.
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