Mosquitoes can become attracted to insect repellant, study suggests

Experts have advised travellers to keep using Deet-based products despite the findings. Photograph: James Gathany/AP

It is a spray used worldwide to protect humans from mosquito bites, but now research suggests Deet can become attractive to the insects if they associate it with feeding.

Deet – which has the chemical name N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide – is widely used in insect repellants, with the UK Health Security Agency recommending products with 50% Deet as the first choice to protect against mosquito bites.