The Efficacy of Oregano and Lemon Grass as a Natural Mosquito Killer

Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Mosquitoes are not only annoying pests but also carriers of deadly diseases such as

malaria, dengue fever, and the Zika virus. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in

Finding natural and eco-friendly alternatives to chemical mosquito killers. The incidence of

dengue has been on the rise in recent years, with millions of cases reported annually. This

increase can be attributed to various factors, including urbanization, population growth, and

climate change. Furthermore, the creation of a natural mosquito killer from lemon grass and

oregano allows us to take control of our own mosquito problem. Instead of relying on

commercial products that may contain unknown ingredients, we can make our own repellent

using simple and readily available ingredients. This empowers us to protect ourselves and our

families in a safe and cost-effective way.

Lemon grass, sometimes called Cymbopogon citratus, is frequently used in herbal

remedies and cooking. It contains citronella oil, which has a reputation for keeping mosquitoes

away. Lemon grass oil can efficiently kill mosquitoes and lessen their tendency to bite, according

to studies. Its potent aroma deters mosquitoes from being attracted by human odor, making it a

powerful natural mosquito repellent. On the other hand, oregano is a gourmet plant that is

frequently used in Mediterranean cuisine. It has been discovered that the substance carvacrol in it

possesses mosquito-repelling qualities. These natural alternatives not only kill mosquitoes but

also have the added benefit of being safe for humans and the environment. Therefore, the

properties of oregano and lemon grass make them a safe and eco-friendly alternative to chemical
repellents. By incorporating lemon grass and oregano into our daily lives, we can protect

ourselves from mosquito-borne diseases while also enjoying the benefits of these aromatic

plants. Through the use of their special qualities, this study seeks to develop natural mosquito

repellents. These substances provide people with a natural way to avoid getting bitten by

mosquitoes that is both efficient and secure in comparison to chemical-based repellents. .

The goal of this study is to determine whether lemon grass and oregano extracts can

effectively ward off and kill mosquitoes. One of the constraints of this study is the heterogeneity

in the content of essential oils extracted from lemon grass and oregano plants. The study will

involve extracting essential oils from lemon grass and oregano plants and analyzing their

effectiveness against various species of mosquitoes. Depending on the type of lemon grass or

oregano used, the mosquito repellent’s efficacy may vary. The amount of active components in

the essential oils may also differ, which could impact how effective the insect repellent is.

Another limitation is the potential for skin irritation or allergic reactions to the essential oils.

Lemon grass and oregano oils are known to cause skin sensitivity in some individuals. Therefore,

it is important to conduct patch tests.

Statement of the problem

The investigation of oregano and lemon grass as natural repellents for mosquitoes is

crucial in the search for safer and more long-lasting insect control techniques. First of all, it

offers a less dangerous alternative to chemical pesticides, lowering the likelihood of unfavorable

side effects on both human health and the environment. As these plants are simple to grow and
harvest, they also provide a sustainable alternative. Specifically, it aimed to respond to the

following queries:

1. How effective is the combination of oregano and lemongrass as a natural mosquito killer?

2. What are the scientific studies supporting the efficacy of oregano and lemongrass in repelling

mosquitoes?

3. Are there any specific methods or formulations for using oregano and lemongrass to deter

mosquitoes effectively?

Objectives of the study

Through a series of controlled studies, the effectiveness of oregano and lemongrass as

natural insect repellents will be evaluated and quantified, with the goal of gaining important

knowledge about their potential as environmentally benign substitutes for chemical insecticides.

Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis

1. There is no significant difference in the effectiveness of oregano and lemongrass as natural

mosquito killers.

2. The type of plant material (oregano or lemongrass) used does not affect the mosquito-killing

efficacy.

Alternative Hypothesis

1. There is a significant difference in the effectiveness of oregano and lemongrass as natural

mosquito killers.
2. The type of plant material (oregano or lemongrass) used significantly affects the mosquito-

killing efficacy.

Significance of the study

1. Environment: Chemical insecticides, which are frequently used in conventional mosquito

control techniques, have the potential to harm non-target species and contaminate water supplies.

Alternatives made from natural ingredients like oregano and lemongrass might be more

environmentally friendly.

2. Public Health: The study intends to offer a resource-constrained environment a more

accessible and affordable alternative to repelling mosquitoes. The development of affordable

mosquito control methods may result from the effectiveness of oregano and lemongrass.

3. Agriculture: Oregano and lemongrass are both grown as cultivated crops. The study might also

look into the possibility of environmentally friendly farming methods that would encourage the

development of these plants for economic and mosquito-repelling purposes.

Review of Related Literature

Mosquitoes are infamous vectors of quite a number of diseases, consisting of malaria,

dengue fever, and the Zika virus. The use of chemical pesticides to manipulate mosquito

populations has raised worries due to their unfavorable results on human fitness and the

environment. Consequently, there is a developing interest in exploring herbal preferences for

mosquito control. This essay aims to evaluate the existing literature on the efficacy of

lemongrass and oregano as herbal mosquito killers. Lemongrass, scientifically recognized as

Cymbopogon citratus, is a tropical plant widely used in culinary and medicinal applications. Its

vital oil has been observed to possess insecticidal properties, making it an achievable candidate

for mosquito control. A study carried out by Choochote et al. (2004) investigated the repellent

and insecticidal outcomes of lemongrass oil in opposition to Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of

dengue fever. The effects showed that lemongrass oil exhibited both repellent and toxic effects

on the mosquitoes, extensively reducing their biting and mortality rates. The researchers

concluded that lemongrass oil ought to be a promising herbal choice for mosquito control.
 Similarly, oregano (Origanum vulgare) has been identified for its antimicrobial and

insecticidal properties. A study with the aid of Pavela (2009) evaluated the larvicidal pastime of

oregano integral oil towards Culex quinquefasciatus, a mosquito species accountable for

transmitting filariasis. The findings revealed that oregano oil exhibited amazing larvicidal

effects, causing sizeable mortality in the mosquito larvae. The study advised that oregano oil

may want to be utilized as an eco-friendly larvicide for mosquito control. Furthermore, the

blended use of lemongrass and oregano has shown promising consequences in mosquito control.

A study with the aid of Trongtokit et al. (2005) investigated the repellent and larvicidal effects of

a lemongrass and oregano oil mixture against Aedes aegypti. The researchers discovered that the

combination exhibited sturdy repellent properties, notably decreasing mosquito landing and

biting rates. Additionally, the larvicidal exercise of the combination used to be observed, leading

to a substantial decrease in mosquito larvae survival. The study concluded that the aggregate of

lemongrass and oregano oils ought to be a superb natural mosquito manipulation strategy.

The efficacy of lemongrass and oregano as herbal mosquito killers can be attributed to

their active compounds. Lemongrass oil includes citral, geraniol, and limonene, which have been

stated to possess insecticidal properties (Choochote et al., 2004). Oregano oil, on the other hand,

carries carvacrol and thymol, which show off sturdy larvicidal effects (Pavela, 2009). These

compounds disrupt the physiological approaches of mosquitoes, leading to their mortality or

repellency.The literature reviewed suggests that lemongrass and oregano oils have vast potential

as herbal mosquito killers. Their insecticidal and repellent properties make them attainable

alternatives to chemical pesticides for mosquito control. However, further lookups are wanted to

optimize their formulations, dosages, and utility methods. Additionally, research evaluating their

efficacy in opposition to other mosquito species and in exclusive geographical regions would
furnish precious insights. Nonetheless, the use of lemongrass and oregano oils as herbal

mosquito killers holds promise for promoting environmentally pleasant and sustainable mosquito

management strategies.

Chapter III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents a discussion of the research design, the materials, the procedures,

the data gathering instrument, and the statistical treatment that was used in the study.

Research design

The research design employed in this study is an experimental comparative design,

wherein the independent variables were the proportions of oregano and lemongrass used as

natural mosquito killers, and the dependent variables were the natural mosquito killer spray

appearance, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, moisture, and overall acceptability.

Materials

The following were the materials used to conduct this study:

Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, and lemongrass was collected from Brgy. Bagut Dingras, Ilocos Norte.

Procedure

Mosquito repellant is made by boiling hot water until it gnaws, then adding oregano and

lemon grass. Simply boil it for a few minutes after adding the oregano and lemon grass, and it

will turn dark green. After removing the oregano and lemongrass, cool the insect repellent in a

bowl for a few minutes before transferring it to a spray bottle, until they reach the natural

moisture content suitable for the oregano and lemongrass as the effect of the natural mosquito

killing spray.