DEET has long been considered the gold standard for mosquito protection, but new laboratory research suggests mosquitoes may be able to learn to associate its smell with a food reward. Scientists found that yellow fever mosquitoes exposed to DEET while feeding on blood later showed attraction to the repellent’s odor, whereas untrained mosquitoes avoided it. The findings suggest that mosquitoes can learn from experience and may change their behavior over time. However, researchers stress that DEET remains highly effective because it also repels mosquitoes when they land on the skin. While the study offers new insights into mosquito behavior, experts continue to recommend DEET as one of the best defenses against mosquito bites.
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