Effectiveness of Herbal Essential Oils as Single and Combined Repellents against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles dirus and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Mosquito repellents reduce human-vector contact of vector-borne diseases. We compared the repellent activity of 10 undiluted essential oils (anise, basil, bergamot, coriander, patchouli, peppermint, petitgrain, rosemary, sage and vetiver) against A. aegypti, A. dirus and C. quinquefasciatus using the arm-in-cage method. Petitgrain oil was the most effective against A. aegypti (270 min). Peppermint oil was the most effective against A. dirus (180 min). Interestingly, all single oils had attributes of repellency against C. quinquefasciatus (ranged, 120–360 min). Moreover, we integrated their binary combinations of highly effective essential oils against A. aegypti and A. dirus to potentially increase the protection time. A 1:1 combination of petitgrain/basil, petitgrain/coriander, basil/coriander and basil/sage reduced the median complete-protection time of 150 min for A. aegypti; a combination of sage and patchouli oils prolonged the median complete-protection time of 270 min for A. dirus. Combining essential oils effect protection time from these two mosquito species.

Repellent Screening of Selected Plant Essential Oils Against Dengue Fever Mosquitoes Using Behavior Bioassays

“…Our results suggest that eugenol maybe the compound largely responsible for the repellent action of clove bud oil. As for the patchouli oil, a combination of sage and patchouli oils prolonged the median complete-protection time of 270 min for Anopheles dirus (Peyton and Harrison) (Sutthanont et al 2022 ). The repellent activity of patchouli alcohol compound was found to be most effective for repellent activity and 2.000 mg/cm 2 concentration provided 100% protection up to 280 min against Ae.…”

An updated review on the safety of N, N‐diethyl‐meta‐toluamide insect repellent use in children and the efficacy of natural alternatives

“…In an arm-in-cage study comparing the repellent activity of ten undiluted essential oils including peppermint oil, petitgrain oil provided the longest period of complete protection (4.5 h) from bites by A. aegypti. 49 It also afforded protection (2 h) against Anopheles dirus, a vector of malaria, especially in combination with a stabilizing agent such as vanillin. 49 Potential adverse reactions include eye or skin irritation if the oil is not diluted.…”

“…49 It also afforded protection (2 h) against Anopheles dirus, a vector of malaria, especially in combination with a stabilizing agent such as vanillin. 49 Potential adverse reactions include eye or skin irritation if the oil is not diluted. 50…”

Comparative study of three herbal formulations against dengue vectors Aedes aegypti

“…Natural plant extracts are easily obtainable due to their prevalence and availability in several forms (such as crude, gels, and essential oils) and their lower cost than synthetic products ( Fazal et al, 2013 , Hazarika et al, 2018 , Mahyoub, 2021 ). Since ancient times, certain essential oil extracts have been used as repellents for adult mosquitoes when applied to the skin in human communities ( Alavez-Rosas et al, 2022 , Ansari et al, 2000 , El-Sheikh et al, 2016 , Lee, 2018 , Sutthanont et al, 2022 ). However, several recent studies have evaluated the effectiveness of essential oils as insecticides and larvicides ( Alavez-Rosas et al, 2022 , Ansari et al, 2000 , Asadollahi et al, 2019 , Barazandeh, 2002 , Chantraine et al, 1998 , Dias and Moraes, 2014 , El-Akhal et al, 2021 , Fazal et al, 2013 , Fekadu et al, 2009 , Fernandez et al, 2018 , Hazarika et al, 2018 , Lavor et al, 2012 , Magalhães et al, 2010 , Manimaran et al, 2012 , de Martins, 2019 , Pavela, 2009 , Smigielski et al, 2018 , Sutthanont et al, 2019 , Sutthanont et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Since ancient times, certain essential oil extracts have been used as repellents for adult mosquitoes when applied to the skin in human communities ( Alavez-Rosas et al, 2022 , Ansari et al, 2000 , El-Sheikh et al, 2016 , Lee, 2018 , Sutthanont et al, 2022 ). However, several recent studies have evaluated the effectiveness of essential oils as insecticides and larvicides ( Alavez-Rosas et al, 2022 , Ansari et al, 2000 , Asadollahi et al, 2019 , Barazandeh, 2002 , Chantraine et al, 1998 , Dias and Moraes, 2014 , El-Akhal et al, 2021 , Fazal et al, 2013 , Fekadu et al, 2009 , Fernandez et al, 2018 , Hazarika et al, 2018 , Lavor et al, 2012 , Magalhães et al, 2010 , Manimaran et al, 2012 , de Martins, 2019 , Pavela, 2009 , Smigielski et al, 2018 , Sutthanont et al, 2019 , Sutthanont et al, 2022 ). Besides, the crude natural extracts derived from marine and terrestrial plants were tested as larvicidal ( Al-Rashidi et al, 2022 , Al-Hakimi et al, 2022 , Alyaha et al, 2018 , Alyahya et al, 2021 , Barnawi et al, 2019 , El-Sheikh et al, 2016 , Mahyoub et al, 2016a , Mahyoub et al, 2016b , Mahyoub, 2019 , Mahyoub et al, 2017 ).…”