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NMSU researchers discover rancid animal fats and oils make effective insect repellants

KRWG | By Scott Brocato
Published November 5, 2024 at 6:00 AM MST
Hailey Luker (left), NMSU biology Ph.D candidate; and Dr. Immo Hansen, biology professor at NMSU.
Scott Brocato
Hailey Luker (left), NMSU biology Ph.D candidate; and Dr. Immo Hansen, biology professor at NMSU.

Recently a team of New Mexico State University researchers tested 300-year-old insect repellent strategies used by Native Americans, who used rancid animal fats and oils, to see if they’re still effective. Scott Brocato spoke with NMSU biology professor Immo Hansen, along with biology Ph.D student Hailey Luker, about the tests and the results.

A person’s arm with a sample of potential repellent is placed inside a mosquito cage to determine whether the substance repels or attracts insects.
NMSU
A person’s arm with a sample of potential repellent is placed inside a mosquito cage to determine whether the substance repels or attracts insects.

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Scott Brocato
Scott Brocato has been an award-winning radio veteran for over 35 years. He has lived and worked in Las Cruces since 2016, and you can hear him regularly during "All Things Considered" from 4 pm-7 pm on weekdays. Off the air, he is also a local actor and musician, and you can catch him rocking the bass with his band Flat Blak around Las Cruces and El Paso.
See stories by Scott Brocato