Scientists at Vanderbilt University have developed a new insect spray that's reportedly the most powerful repellent ever.
The compound, called VUAA-1, is a thousand times stronger than DEET---That's the most effective one used now.
The new product works by overloading the insects' odor-sensing system.
"This compound turns on all the receptors on the mosquitoes' nose at one time, and shouts WHOA, and that is something mosquitoes don't like," says Dr. Laurence Zweibel, leader of the Vanderbilt research team.
Dr. Zweibel says the new compound has worked with every insect it's been tested on.
It could be used to control insects here, and in developing nations where mosquito-borne diseases like malaria kill millions of people.
Zweibel says the product is safe, however, it is still awaiting examination by the Food & Drug Administration.
The research has been funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
When the compound goes into commercial production, profits would go to the World Health Organization, and plowed back into research.
