Mosquitoes seem to be getting over insect repellent
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Science & technology | When DEET means dinner<br>Mosquitoes seem to be getting over insect repellent<br>They learn to associate it with food<br>Share
Photograph: Getty Images
May 28th 2026|2 min read
DEET is the gold standard for preventing mosquito bites. Although there is some debate over precisely how it works to ward off the insects, most researchers agree that a key part of its effectiveness is unpleasantness—the bugs just hate to be around it. Effective as it is, however, some mosquitoes seem capable of getting over their revulsion. This has led to the speculation that the insects might be getting used to the chemical.
This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “When DEET means dinner”
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