Mosquitos Becoming Resistant To DEET

Research published in the science journal Plos One has shown that the Aedes aegypti species of mosquito is resistant to DEET. The insect, which is responsible for spreading both dengue and yellow fever ignores the chemical as soon as its second exposure. This is incredibly bad news at a time when dengue in particular is on the increase.

DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toulamide) was developed by the US military after their jungle warfare experiences during World War ll. A huge amount of servicemen suffered from the misery of malaria having served in the jungles of Indonesia. DEET was found to be effective against most species of mosquito and the team conducting the research intend to continue their studies, moving on to the Anopheles mosquito that causes malaria.

Dr James Logan who is leading the study said:

“The more we can understand how the repellants work and how the mosquitos detect them, the better we can work out ways to get around the problem when they do become resistant to repellants…mosquitoes are very good at evolving very, very quickly.”