I almost missed it. Although there could be a reason. In the midst of the pandemic, we haven`t heard a lot of really great news from the Centers For Disease Control in the U.S. But over the past couple weeks, they have been talking about something that likely will mean more to people around here than most things Covid related.
The CDC has developed a new natural insect repellent.
It`s a compound known as Nookatone, which is found in the skin of grapefruit and also in certain cedar trees in Alaska. It`s not new. The fragrance industry has used it for some time in perfume. But they have discovered that Nookatone can repel the insects we really don`t want… like ticks and mosquitoes. Not only will it repel, but it also has some insecticidal properties. So it can kill the ones that get on you.
As part of the announcement, the CDC stressed that this is not an end product. It is only an ingredient. But they have isolated it, tested it, and have now made it available for manufacturers to come up with products to put it in.
Now for the best part, at least in my mind. It can be put in lotions and sprays, they usual way we are used to using insect repellents, but it can also be put in things like soaps and shampoos.
Think of it. You take a shower in the morning with Nookatone laced soap, and you`re good to wander around outside. Wash your dog with Nookatone shampoo and ticks are done for. Maybe even wash your clothes with the stuff? There are a lot of possibilities.
This is not yet available commercially, but hopefully soon. I’m sure there is more work to do on developing it as a commercial product. About the only downside I can think of so far is the fact that this will likely cut down on the need for us to check each other for ticks, but that’s okay.
On the positive side, my dog seemed pretty stoked.
