The repellent ‘Simno’, which is made in Ghana from edible plant products, was tested in two forms as base-oil and a cream. Biting catches were made by bait subjects with one leg only smeared with a measured amount of ‘Simno’. The catches from each leg were then compared. The base-oil was only tested against Simulium damnosum s.l. It was found to be 100% effective for over 10 hr even after 2 years storage. The repellent cream worked well against a biting midge and various mosquitoes as well as S. damnosum s.l, but was seldom completely effective and the potency varied between samples. Nevertheless, one sample retained its full potency after 2 years storage. ‘Simno’ repellent is convenient to use (especially the cream) and is well accepted by the local people. The active ingredients of'Simno’ need to be identified.
