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The chemical is the first novel insect repellent introduced since 2009, and can also fight resistance to many common insect repellents seen today.
August 12, 2020 – First Post -The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a newly-developed method of repelling ticks and mosquitos using a natural ingredient found sparingly in grapefruit and cedar trees.
According to the CDC statement, the ingredient Nootkatone is responsible for the smell and taste of grapefruit and is found in some perfumes. It is able to repel and kill ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting pests.
Nootkatone is also found in minute quantities in Alaska yellow cedar trees and grapefruit skin, the CDC said.
Dr Jay C Butler, Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases said that the health authority is proud to have led the research and development of nootkatone.
“Providing new alternatives to existing bite-prevention methods paves the way to solving one of the biggest challenges in preventing vector-borne diseases—preventing bites,” Butler added.