Study summary
Repellency of essential oils to mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)
Barnard DR
- Study type
- Lab
- Year
- 1999
- Species tested
- Aedes aegypti
- Published in
- Journal of Medical Entomology 36(5):625-629
- Evidence strength
- Well-supported evidence
How it was tested
Laboratory cloth-patch and skin assays of essential oils against laboratory-reared mosquitoes.
Summary
Laboratory skin tests of geranium, cedarwood, clove, peppermint, and thyme oils (5-100%) and combinations against Aedes aegypti and Anopheles albimanus.
Key findings
Cedarwood oil failed to repel mosquitoes and only high concentrations of peppermint repelled Ae. aegypti. Thyme and clove were the most effective (1.5-3.5 hours depending on concentration); clove combined with geranium or thyme prevented An. albimanus biting for 1.25-2.5 hours. Clove and thyme were judged too irritating/odorous above 25%.
Limitations
Laboratory only; high concentrations needed; user acceptability and skin irritation limit practical use.