"Mosquitoes May Inherit DEET Insensitivity"

Key Purpose: The purpose of this article is to alert people that mosquitoes have developed an insensitivity to DEET.

Key Ideas:

• DEET is used in most bugs sprays because it blocks the scent of human sweat, something that mosquitos and other insects are attracted to
• Mosquito's have developed an ability to not be able to sense the DEET, therefore they are able to detect human sweat without any obstacles
• This trait mosquitos have developed has become genetic, more and more mosquitos are now able to feast on human blood
• Each generation is growing DEET insensitive faster than all scientists thought
• Scientists don't have an alternative to DEET to prevent mosquitos from biting humans

Key Conclusions:

This can be a very large problem for many people. For two specific reasons: I hate mosquitos and mosquito bites, and many people may die because of this. Mosquito bites are annoying, they are something that can ruin a camping trip, a downside to summer evenings, and something that will bother you for weeks. Now that there might not be a repellent, there will be even more mosquitos biting your legs around the campfire. But, more importantly, an absence of mosquito repellent many people will be infected with the diseases that mosquitos can carry. There could be an outbreak of malaria because of the growth of population, more people will be infected. This could be a very devastating thing because scientists have not been able to discover anything that will deter mosquitos from human blood. So hopefully there will be a discovery before all mosquitos become immune to DEET and be able to keep many people safe.

Weise, Elizabeth. "Mosquitoes May Inherit DEET Insensitivity - Science Fair: Science and Space News - USATODAY.com." News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com. Web. 05 May 2010. .

http://www.3dchem.com/molecules.asp?ID=125