Seeking to understand how chickens generally remain free from mosquito bites (only one chicken in every 1,200 is bitten), scientists at Addis Ababa University have undertaken research. Their efforts have pinpointed four compounds within chicken feathers that appear to repel mosquitoes. Such research is important given the efforts needed to control malaria (a disease transmitted by mosquitoes.)
These compounds are: isobutyl butyrate, naphthalene, hexadecane and trans-limonene, and in combination they seems to have a repellent effect. One of the researchers, Professor Rickard Ignell of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, who worked on the project at Addis Ababa told Gizmodo: “We were surprised to find that malaria mosquitoes are repelled by the odors emitted by chickens.”
Professor Ignell added: “This study shows for the first time that malaria mosquitoes actively avoid feeding on certain animal species, and that this behavior is regulated through odor cues.”
In addition to the repellent, it was noted, from observational studies in Ethiopia, that chicken feathers posed a physical barrier to mosquitoes. In addition, chickens appeared to feed on the flying insects.
On this basis, the compounds will be explored further to see what types of mosquito repellent can be created. Making an amusing point on social media, Joanna McInnes (@Jomc20) tweeted: “01:24 and i can’t sleep due to a mosquito five bombing me! Wish I had a chicken..”
The research has been published in the Malaria Journal. The paper is titled “Chicken volatiles repel host-seeking malaria mosquitoes.”
