Comparative activity of three repellents against bedbugs Cimex hemipterus (Fabr.)
Kumar, S.; Prakash, S.; Rao, K.M.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 102: 20-23
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 7558205 Document Number: 441223
The comparative activity of 3 repellents (diethyltoluamide, N,N-diethyl-2-phenylacetamide (DEPA) and dimethyl phthalate (DMP)) against C. hemipterus was studied by applying repellent solution on the shaven skin of rabbits. Technical grade diethyltoluamide at 20 mg a.i./cmsuperscript 2 exhibited 93% and 83% repellency after 2 and 8 h, respectively, while DEPA (technical grade) at this concentration exhibited 90% and 71% repellency, diethyltoluamide and DEPA at 75% concentration (15 mg a.i./cmsuperscript 2) showed 85% and 78% repellency up to 2 h and 52% and 42% repellency 6 h after treatment, respectively. The repellent activity was also found to be concentration and time of treatment dependent for diethyltoluamide and DEPA. DMP (technical grade) did not show any appreciable repellent activity at any concentration tested. Blood intake by C. hemipterus following treatment with various concentrations of repellents was found to decrease with increase in the concentration of repellents.