一项由乌干达和威尔士研究人员合作开展的研究发现，本地种植的猫薄荷乳液在驱赶蚊子方面与避蚊胺（Deet）同样有效 [1]。该研究旨在为疟疾高发地区提供一种低成本、可本地生产的防蚊工具，以应对日益严重的抗药性问题及高昂的进口成本 [1]。
实地测试于乌干达东部进行 [1]。实验结果显示，6% 浓度的猫薄荷精油乳液在驱蚊效果上“与避芬胺同样有效”[1]；而 2% 浓度的猫薄荷精油乳液效果仅略低于避蚊胺 [1]。卡迪夫大学高级讲师 Dr Simon Scofield 指出，对于大多数农村农民而言，避蚊胺的价格过高 [1]。
研究背景显示，疟疾每年感染约 2.82 亿人，并在 2024 年导致 61 万人死亡 [1]。该项目计划通过社区企业生产并销售该乳液，以创造可持续收入 [1]。
A collaborative study conducted by researchers from Uganda and Wales has found that a locally grown catnip lotion is just as effective as DEET in repelling mosquitoes [1]. The research was carried out through field tests in eastern Uganda with the aim of providing malaria-endemic regions with an affordable, locally producible tool to address rising insecticide resistance and high import costs [1]. In experiments involving 6% concentration catnip essential oil lotion, it proved "as effective as DEET" against mosquito bites [1]. A formulation containing 2% concentration showed efficacy only slightly lower than that of DEET [1]. Dr Simon Scofield, a senior lecturer at Cardiff University involved in the project, noted that DEET is often too expensive for most rural farmers [1]. To ensure sustainability and generate income, the initiative plans to produce and sell the lotion through community enterprises [1]. Globally, malaria infects approximately 282 million people annually and caused 610,000 deaths in 2024 [1].