On outdoor trips, we diligently apply DEET to make ourselves less appealing to mosquitoes.
This question remained unanswered until recently. Scientists at Rockefeller University in New York uncovered the mechanism. One researcher had previously investigated DEET's proven effectiveness.
Her experiments revealed that even mosquitoes with impaired smell detection are drawn to humans fully coated in DEET—yet they refrain from biting. Clearly, odor alone doesn't deter them.
Prior studies eliminated taste as the factor. Now, more than 70 years after DEET hit the market, research shows mosquitoes avoid landing because they dislike the sticky sensation on their legs.
No wonder—we steer clear of sticky hands too. This insight paves the way for developing superior insect repellents.
