NMSU Researcher: Mosquito repellent products don’t work, more like placebos

The mosquito repellent you buy might not be doing anything at all, according to new research studies at New Mexico State University.

The New Mexico Department of Health announced on May 17, 2017 yellow fever mosquitoes have already been identified in Dona Ana County.

Stacy Rodriguez, laboratory manager for NMSU’s Molecular Vector Physiology Lab in the College or Arts and Sciences, tells ABC-7 it’s a scary realization.

“Consumers are being taken advantage of, but also, they’re more vulnerable because now they think they’re being protected when they’re not,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez tested five spray repellents products, five wearable repellent devices and one candle against the yellow fever mosquito.

She said the repellent bracelet did nothing.

“It worked as well as you wearing no repellent at all,” Rodriguez said.

As for citronella candles, Rodriguez says, “It’s a placebo affect, they may think they work but they don’t.”

Rodriguez said products containing DEET and those with Oil of Eucalyptus were determined to be most effective. She advices consumers to check the labels of the products they buy to make sure they contain DEET.

She said the only wearable device tested that repelled mosquitoes was the Off! Clip-on device. IT Not only repelled mosquitoes, but also killed them, Rodriguez said.