Patent ID: 6444216
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: A01N,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for repelling insects away from a human or an animal, the method comprising:obtaining an insect repellant composition comprising a) a dermatologically acceptable carrier, and b) active ingredients consisting essentially of a mixture of fatty acids, each of the fatty acids having a straight carbon chain of 6 to 12 carbon atoms long, wherein the mixture of fatty acids includes (i) a first fatty acid molecule having 6 to 8 carbon atoms, and a carboxylic acid group, (ii) a second fatty acid molecule having 8 to 9 carbon atoms, and a carboxylic acid group, and (iii) a third fatty acid molecule having 9 to 12 carbon atoms, and a carboxylic acid group, wherein the first fatty acid molecule, the second fatty acid molecule, and the third fatty acid molecule are all different, are in about a 1:1:1 ratio by weight in the active ingredients, and are in the insect repellent composition in an amount effective to repel more insects away from a test subject that has been treated with the insect repellant composition than a control subject without the insect repellant composition after about 3 hours or more; and applying the insect repellant composition to the human or the animal to repel insects.