Insect repellent compositions and methods of use

In a bioassay for candidate mosquito repellent compounds, six compounds significantly reduced the number of landings on an attractant-baited pad in a chamber. In order of increasing efficacy the compounds found are 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, linalool, delta- decalactone, DEET, PMD and delta-undecalactone. Delta-undecalactone was tested and compared to other repellent compounds in a semi-field experiment. In both "push" and "push-pull" mode, delta-undecalactone provided significant mosquito repelling activity, and improved with respect to catnip and PMD. Delta-decalatone and delta-undecalactone provide improved mosquito repellents with a spatial effect for topical human or animal use, or in environmental control situations in either "push" or "push-pull" mode