LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) – If you’re looking for a way to ward off mosquitoes, slathering yourself in rancid animal fat might not be your first choice, but according to researchers at New Mexico State University, it works.
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NMSU Professor Immo Hansen and his team have found that rancid fats from animals, including bears and pigs, are effective when it comes to keeping some insects away. “We’re not sure what the active ingredient is, why rancidity would make a difference, and if it’s masking our scent or if it’s repelling them,” said PhD Candidate at NMSU Hailey Luker.
The idea came about in 2020, when an experimental archaeologist contacted them to see if they could research rancid fats which were used hundreds of years ago by Native Americans to protect themselves against mosquitoes.
Their research included having volunteers put the aged fats on their arms and placing their arms in a cage of hungry mosquitoes. “Then we tested how long it takes for a mosquito to take a bite and we also did ticks to see how long a tick climbs up their forearm,” said Luker.
The fats did not work on the tick but the study found rancid alligator fat repelled mosquitoes for more than two hours. Researchers published their study in July but said their work isn’t done.
They realize most people would be appalled at the idea of slathering themselves with rancid fat. So, they want to examine the molecules in the rancid fat to identify what exactly repels bugs. They hope to use that information to develop an insect repellent that works without being so smelly.
They also have a new project: looking at rancid plant oils. The scientists said to make the fat rancid, it had to be aged for more than a year.