It’s time for me to check up on my nip garden again. But this visit is a little bit different because I found an article in Gizmodo that suggests a compound in catnip may be a mosquito repellant! And my human was wondering why she always gets bitten and I never do.
The research found a compound called nepetalactol, which apparently functions as both a cat intoxicant and repels mosquitos. In fact, silver vine contains this compound too.
I did have an issue with this story, however. The title is “Cats Love Catnip Because It Protects Them From Mosquitoes, New Research Suggests.” The researchers say it has to do with hunting effectively. But I think this is another instance of putting human characteristics on cats. What cat ever thought of rolling in catnip prior to hunting? They’d never get around to stalking their prey! Whenever I stop by my nip garden, repelling mosquitos is probably the last thing on my mind.
Trust me, cats love catnip for one reason, and one reason only.
For the endorphin rush! Humans, feel free to rub some catnip on your bare skin next time you are worried about mosquitos. You’ll attract cats instead, but I’m sure you won’t mind that.
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2021 Somali Cat Wall Calendar, Starring Summer
See all of Summer’s merch at her her Zazzle Designercat Shop
Very interesting. A natural mosquito repellent. Now if I only had a catnip garden…
GRATE advice!! LadyMew sayss shee wudd MUCH rather have cats ’round her them pesky nasty ‘squitoess!
**purrss** BellaDharma an <3 LadyMew
Very interesting. Our catnip finally got to a size that we had some the other day. Yeah Dad planted in during the summer. Brown thumb boy we call him
Wow! What awesome informative facts! Mom actually bought and planted some catnip seeds a while back because of one of your past posts. It’s growing quite nicely! Now she can use it too! Woohoo! We can all roll around in it. MOL. Great post Summer! Purrs
I can just smell the nip <3
MOL I love this Summer
Very interesting, and definitely worth a try!
Looks like another beautiful day out. Your nip
crop looks to be thriving. You shouldn’t have to
worry about not having enough.
Could you imagine what cats would do to humans if humans covered themselves in catnip? MOL! I hope kitty’s claws are trimmed!
Oh, I’d love to see a human roll around in catnip! MOL
Humans should roll in catnip from time to time, MOL ! Purrs
I will try that. I love your dress, so cute.
We didn’t know that about catnip and mosquitos sweet Summer, but we did know humans aren’t too bright.
Hmmm….we wonder if we can convince Mom to try planting it again.
The Florida Furkids
Kozmo does not think we should grow more catnip…he has enough trouble guarding what we grow from intruuders. But Mom thinks it could be worth it if it grows in the front bed, nothing likes to grow there! We will plant some seeds and see what happens! Repelling mosquitoes or attracting cats or both, if it grows, we are happy! Have a marvellously Happy Day!
I had heard that, but while our yard has plenty of catnip sort of growing wild, we have bumper crops of mosquitoes as well. Hmmm…
Oh Summer! A very good friend advised us NOT to plant catnip, since all of the neighborhood cats will migrate into our yard, and that would drive PO’M nutso!
But…a mosquito repellant?!? Hmmm…
Hehe 😉
I can be 100% sure that Flynn had no thought of mosquitos when he was rolling in the good stuff!
Sure, sure. And smoking weed makes for a great sun screen. Yeah, yeah. I tell you, the things humans come up with…