Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Arboviral diseases transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito cause high morbidity and mortality worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the repellent and insecticidal efficacy of water-soluble formulations of essential oils impregnated into mosquito nets against the adult stage of A. aegypti. METHODOLOGY: A randomized laboratory bioassay was conducted using a controlled factorial design to evaluate four essential oil formulations (Eucalyptus globulus, Cymbopogon citratus, Origanum vulgare, and Mentha piperita) at concentrations of 10, 100, and 250 mg/mL. Each experimental group consisted of 60 laboratory-reared adult female A. aegypti specimens. The repellent effect, protection time, and insecticidal effect were evaluated by exposing the insects to a sedated animal bait (Rattus norvegicus albinus) covered with a mosquito net impregnated with the formulations of essential oils and DEET, as a positive control. RESULTS: The highest efficacy was seen in C. citratus, E. globulus, and O. vulgare at 250 mg/mL, with 93.3%-100.0% repellent effect and 180 min of protection time, similar to that obtained by 100 mg/mL DEET. The highest insecticidal effect was observed in C. citratus (26.7%) at a concentration of 250 mg/mL, similar to that observed in 100 mg/mL DEET. The repellent effect and protection time varied for each concentration tested, except for the insecticide, in which concentrations of 10 and 100 mg/mL had a similar effect (0%-6%). CONCLUSIONS: The repellency of water-soluble formulations of essential oils of C. citratus, E. globulus, and O. vulgare at 250 mg/mL, compared to 100 mg/mL DEET, represents a possible and complementary alternative for mosquito control.