01987nas a2200169   4500008004100000245013500041210006900176260000900245300001400254490000700268520143800275653000901713653001401722100002101736700002001757856004001777       2007                        eng d00aA comparison of botanical and synthetic substances commonly used to prevent head lice (Pediculus humanus var. capitis) infestation0 acomparison of botanical and synthetic substances commonly used t  c2007  a422 - 4260 v463 aBackground Pediculosis, caused by head lice (Pediculidae: Pediculus humanus var. capitis), is experiencing a global resurgence, with the prevalence in primary schools averaging as high as 40% in some areas regardless of socioeconomic factors. Control efforts using chemical treatments are becoming increasingly ineffective, with insecticide resistance recorded in several countries. Prevention using repellents and oils would be useful if they limited transmission. Many commercially available substances reputedly have effective repellent qualities, but remain untested.Methods This study tested the preventative efficacy of N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) against several commercially available botanicals to clarify their value as transmission inhibitors, irritants, repellents, and antifeedants.
Results The transfer of head lice to treated hairs was limited by the slippery nature of the oils rather than their repellent qualities. Irritancy was not important because lice proceeded despite being highly irritated, except in the case of coconut. Tea tree and peppermint caused the most repellence, and tea tree and lavender prevented some blood feeding on treated skin. Comparatively, tea tree oil was most efficacious, with DEET ranking equal second overall with coconut, peppermint, and a botanical mixture.
Conclusions Neither DEET nor any of the botanicals tested showed sufficient preventative efficacy to be endorsed.10aDEET10arepellent1 aCanyon, Deon, V.1 aSpeare, Richard  uhttps://cats.myspecies.info/node/20