Vol. 5, Issue 5, Part A (2018)

Author(s): Imelda Menchaca Armenta, Moisés Ocampo Torres, Karen Zamora Cerritos and Ma. del Rosario Ostí Castillo

Abstract: Because of their repellent compounds, diverse plants have been recognized as an alternative for mosquito control. In 2017, three experimental groups were established with allocation per plant: 1) Pelargonium citrosum, 2) Ocimum basilicum, and 3) P. citrosum plus O. basilicum. The inhabitants´ perception of the plant´s repellent properties were evaluated twice. Three categories for plant repellent perception according to the number of mosquitos were established: 1) no change, 2) reduction and 3) increase. A median of six inhabitants per household was found with a median of two rooms per household. 84.6% of plants were placed in rooms and 19.6%. In front of the house. No significant difference was found between measures of perception; however, O. basilicum had the highest percentage of repellent perception compared to P. citrosum. O. Basilicum is an alternative mosquito repellent for household use.