By Chad Love

Judging from the number of responses to the blog post on the potential dangers of DEET    there are quite a few of you out there who have concerns about its effects on the human body.
 
The problem is, DEET works better than just about anything else out there. And let's face it, when you're on a riverbank being torn to pieces by biting insects you just want some relief and to hell with what that relief might, may, perhaps, possibly be doing to your body.
 
But researchers have discovered a chemical that just might give DEET a run for its money without all those pesky questions about damage to your central nervous system, because it's made from the same kind of stuff found in black pepper.
 
From the story:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A chemical that resembles natural products from black pepper can deter mosquitoes four times longer than DEET, the world’s most widely used bug repellent. The new substance could be used to protect people who live in the developing world, or to shield soldiers from insects when they deploy to countries with pest problems. “Our goal is to reduce disease transmission,” said USDA synthetic chemist Maia Tsikolia, here at the American Chemical Society meeting. “It’s very important for the American military, actually for mankind, to have effective repellents.” The announcement of these potential new repellents comes on the heels of news earlier this month from a team of French researchers that reported DEET affects cells in a manner similar to nerve gas, and enhances the toxic effects of a common pesticide. The study was preliminary and was conducted on unprotected cells in petri dishes, so it may not be relevant for humans. But it became fodder for dozens of cautionary headlines leaving the public looking for alternatives.

No word yet on how it tastes sprinkled on eggs or homegrown tomatoes...

Comments (10)

from ggmack wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

I'll keep my DEET, the risk is still there but, i know several people that have or had mosquito born illnesses and i will take my chances with the DEET.

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from buckhunter wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

Deet hasn't hurt me so far...Besides the French study with unprotected cells in a petri dish. I'm not convinced it's that dangerous.

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from Koldkut wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

I always carry black pepper with me when hunting. When I skin an animal down outside, I'll put black pepper on it to keep the flies away from it, seems to work pretty well.

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from country road wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

I'm not going to start worrying about possible effects of DEET at this point in my life. As the article pointed out, when I'm being attacked by assorted auger bills, I'll opt for the DEET evy time. If something just as good or better comes along, I'll give it a whirl, but until then, pass the Cutter.

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from seadog wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

I'll be happy to try this as soon as it hits the market. But until they come up with something better, I won't give up the DEET. I have cut down on how much goes on my skin--more on the clothes & the thermacell helps a lot. The thermacell works really well in some situations, but sometimes, in the Florida Everglades, you just gotta have the DEET.

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from bluecollarkid wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

What about pyrethrin (sp?)? Also, what happens when you spray yourself down with pepper spray and then wipe your forehead or eyes with a part of the body that's been sprayed. Sounds like insect-repellant pepper spray might not be a good idea unless they can take the "burn" out of it.

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from Richard G. wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

I to will stick with DEET based products. Typically I put it on my hat, pants legs and a bandanna around my neck. It works as well or better than putting it directly on your skin and I think the effects last longer too.

I am also a Beekeeper; black pepper sprinkled on the ground around my hives keeps the ants away.

RG

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from Kimmie wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

The title said Pepper Spray, but pepper spray is made from a Red Pepper mixture, not black pepper. Either way if you are hunting and want protection from Grizzly bears, use Frontiersman bear pepper spray.

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from MLH wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

If it makes the skeeters sneeze and blow off their proboscises I am all for it.

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from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

I will believe it once I see it but until then, my Thermacell is doing just fine. I turn that thing on and I won't see a mosquitoe around me for the rest of the day.

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from Kimmie wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

The title said Pepper Spray, but pepper spray is made from a Red Pepper mixture, not black pepper. Either way if you are hunting and want protection from Grizzly bears, use Frontiersman bear pepper spray.

+3 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from ggmack wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

I'll keep my DEET, the risk is still there but, i know several people that have or had mosquito born illnesses and i will take my chances with the DEET.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from buckhunter wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

Deet hasn't hurt me so far...Besides the French study with unprotected cells in a petri dish. I'm not convinced it's that dangerous.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Koldkut wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

I always carry black pepper with me when hunting. When I skin an animal down outside, I'll put black pepper on it to keep the flies away from it, seems to work pretty well.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from country road wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

I'm not going to start worrying about possible effects of DEET at this point in my life. As the article pointed out, when I'm being attacked by assorted auger bills, I'll opt for the DEET evy time. If something just as good or better comes along, I'll give it a whirl, but until then, pass the Cutter.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from seadog wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

I'll be happy to try this as soon as it hits the market. But until they come up with something better, I won't give up the DEET. I have cut down on how much goes on my skin--more on the clothes & the thermacell helps a lot. The thermacell works really well in some situations, but sometimes, in the Florida Everglades, you just gotta have the DEET.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from bluecollarkid wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

What about pyrethrin (sp?)? Also, what happens when you spray yourself down with pepper spray and then wipe your forehead or eyes with a part of the body that's been sprayed. Sounds like insect-repellant pepper spray might not be a good idea unless they can take the "burn" out of it.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Richard G. wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

I to will stick with DEET based products. Typically I put it on my hat, pants legs and a bandanna around my neck. It works as well or better than putting it directly on your skin and I think the effects last longer too.

I am also a Beekeeper; black pepper sprinkled on the ground around my hives keeps the ants away.

RG

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from MLH wrote 2 years 39 weeks ago

If it makes the skeeters sneeze and blow off their proboscises I am all for it.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

I will believe it once I see it but until then, my Thermacell is doing just fine. I turn that thing on and I won't see a mosquitoe around me for the rest of the day.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.