Aqueous 2% geraniol as a mosquito repellent failed against Aedes aegypti on ponies
Autor(es): Reeves, Will K.; Miller, Myrna M.
Resumo: Organic insect repellents are of interest to many agricultural producers and animal owners. Geraniol, a plant-derived alcohol, is naturally produced by a wide range of plants and is a US Environmental Protection Agency minimum risk pesticide. Previous studies have shown various concentrations of geraniol repel or kill mosquitoes; however, geraniol might cause allergic contact dermatitis in humans or animals. We tested a commercially available 2% aqueous solution of geraniol on ponies as a mosquito repellent. Five trials were conducted on ponies treated with a 60-ml aerosol mist (30ml per side) of 2% geraniol or as untreated controls. Animals were observed 3h postapplication to check for skin irritation. Aedes aegypti, in feeding tubes, were held on the ponies for 7min. The average percent of biting on control animals was 56%, with a range of 16-90%, and the average for the treatments was 13%, with a range of 0-86%. Based on statistical models, there was no significant difference (P = 0.081) in the percent bites between treated and untreated animals after 3h. Based on our data, 2% geraniol was not an adequate mosquito repellent for horses. We did not observe any skin irritation on the animals treated with 2% geraniol.
Palavras-Chave: Mosquitoes; Geraniol; Ponies; Horse; Repellent
Imprenta: Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, v. 26, n. 3, p. 340-341, 2010.
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Repellent
Data de publicação: 2010
