Lab study hints mosquitoes can be conditioned to bite when DEET is present
A controlled lab study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology shows mosquitoes can be conditioned to bite more when DEET is present during feeding, suggesting a cognitive component to how DEET works and a potential vulnerability if concentrations aren’t high enough. The results come from laboratory conditions and real-world implications require further study, though DEET remains a highly effective mosquito repellent.
