Laboratory Study on the Repellent Bioefficacy of Diethyl Phenyl Acetamide (DEPA) against Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus)

Insect repellent has played an important role in preventing humans from insect bites. This study was conducted to evaluate the repellency effect of a repellent cream containing 20% w/v diethyl phenyl acetamide (DEPA) against Aedes aegypti . DEET (10% w/v) was used as a standard repellent in comparison with DEPA. The test procedures followed the bioassay methods of Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM). There was statistically no significant difference between the repellency activity of both repellents (p>0.05), indicating the repellent cream of DEPA was as effective as DEET. Treatment with both repellent cream provided 8 hours of protection, with more than 60% reduction of mosquito landing on the skin.