Volunteers Sought For AgCenter Mosquito Repellent Study

OLIVIA MCCLURE

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

   LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healy is evaluating the effectiveness of two kinds of mosquito repellent, and she’s looking for volunteers who are willing to participate in her study.

   Healy is seeking healthy volunteers between 18 and 55. Compensation will be provided.

   Healy is evaluating two new topically applied mosquito repellent products. One is a lotion, and the other is a wipe. She wants to find out how long these products last on the skin to protect against mosquito bites.

   The products contain the IR3535 insect repellent and have not yet been registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Healy’s study results could help the products become registered and available for consumer use.

   The study has three components: an initial screening, a training session and one to two visits to field testing sites where the repellents will be evaluated. The field tests may last up to 14 hours.

   Most participants will apply one of the two repellents, then be exposed to mosquitos so the products’ performance can be rated. A few people will be randomly selected to serve as controls and will not be treated with either repellent.

   The study is funded by LivFul Inc.

   For more information, contact Healy at 225-578-7386 or khealy@agcenter.lsu.edu . ∆

   OLIVIA MCCLURE: LSU AgCenter